Welcome back 311 nation! Time marches on here in 2021, I hope you are all staying safe and healthy. Let’s get to this week’s fan spotlight shall we? Meet Kathleen Patricia!
Kathleen was about 13 when she heard the funky sounds of 311 on the radio. She didn’t go to a lot of live shows growing up. “As I got older and more established in life, I found that live music was a game changer and the people who come with that.”
First 311 show for Kathleen was back in 2012. “I had just finished my Master’s degree in clinical Psych and a very dear friend of mine and longtime fan (Kristina Muthart) bought me a ticket on the cruise that year. We had an amazing time and met the most amazing people. Since then I have been to some 30 plus shows.”
Naturally picking a favorite show is difficult. Kathleen said she loves the cruise and being out on the ocean traveling. However a close second for her was the time she decided last minute to travel to Wisconsin and go to a show by herself. “I bought a ticket and jumped in the car around 4pm and drove a couple hours. I must have run into 10 friends when I got there, no better feeling than that. 311 played a really fun set that show it was not the rare cuts or special show tactics they are known for at events; but I still stood next to my friends and sang every word and had an amazing time.”
Song that means the most to Kathleen? “Stealing Happy Hours would be my answer for today, I feel like this is so important.” As for favorite lyric, she chose “Stay positive and love your life.” “Because of my profession and passion for helping others I feel it is so important to get the most out of this life that you can.”
Kathleen grew up as a military brat, moving around quite a lot. “We were stationed in RI for a few years when I was born then IL then Iceland then New Mexico and then when military life was over we moved to Cicero, IL and few other towns after that but still in IL.” She currently works in mental health in the ER as her full time gig, and part time at a private practice. “The one thing I really look forward to when I am having a rough time at work is a show or a 311 vacation. It is such a reminder that self care, friends, and music are so important. Especially now with all that is happening in the world. I cant wait till we can see live shows again.”
In Kathleen’s spare time, she loves to write poetry. “I recently published a book. Kat’s little Black Book According to the Zodiac.” As for something that makes her unique, she phoned a friend to see what they would say and the answer was this: “Your ability to look outside yourself and put yourself in other people’s shoes.”
Guilty pleasure for Kathleen is painting. “I am not great at it but I love it. One of my guilty pleasures is watching Bob Ross and learning new techniques.” When not listening to 311, she can be found grooving to Dirty Heads, Rebelution, Ballyhoo!, Bumpin Uglies, and RDGLDGRN to name a few. “My playlist gets more diverse from there Fleetwood Mac, Chicago, CCR, and sometimes a good 90’s alternative playlist is in order.”
Kathleen would like to tell the members of 311 this message: “Thank you for the music and the community.”
Now here are her words to all the other fans out there:
“I can’t say enough about how amazing you guys are! Thank you for sharing the music, the dance floor space and singing at the top of your lungs. I think that is my favorite part of being in a room full of 311 fans is hearing the whole room sing.”
Thank you Kathleen for sharing your story! Many, many thanks as always to all the continuous support of this project as well. Hope you all have an amazing week. Keep sending out love to the world!
Here we are again Excitable nation! Another fan spotlight is upon us. This week let’s hear the story of Hannah McKernan!
The first song Hannah heard was “All Mixed Up” when she was on her way to the swimming pool at the Miramar Navy base that she visited at least once a week while her father was stationed in San Diego. “It was instantly my favorite song at that time! I was in the 6th grade at the time and trying to figure out who I was and who I was becoming at that time. Because we moved a lot being a Navy Brat, my life was basically about constant change and readjusting.”
Hannah doesn’t specifically remember what drew her in and make her become such a big fan, but she does remember that after she heard that first song and it ended, she just wanted more. “All I wanted to do was sit by the radio and record it on a blank cassette every time I caught it on the radio! I sat on my bed and listened to it over and over…wrote down the words and sang it till it had it memorized! Didn’t taken long! Then I wanted to hear more and learn more about them! My mom let me buy the “Blue” album and that was it! No more Hanson, 311 was my band!”
For show count, Hannah has lost count of her exact number. “My birthday is July 30th and they are always in New England around that time (I live in Maine), so my boyfriend and I will typically catch every show we can in the area, or at least see one closest to us! We’ve been together 11 years and have done this since we met!” First show was at the State Theater in Portland, Maine, with Hoobastank as the opener.
Like many fans, each show has a special place in Hannah’s heart. With that said, there are two shows that specifically stand out to Hannah as ones that are her favorites. “
The first would be when I saw them in New Hampshire, they were playing with Sublime with Rome and we had meet and greet tickets for Sublime with Rome! We were a little late getting there so we had to wait in what looked like a break area/lunch room for staff and bands. I look behind me and NICK HEXUM IS GRABBING A WATER!!! I couldn’t believe it! I had DREAMED of this day since the first time I heard them! I asked my boyfriend if it would be rude to ask him for a picture since he was probably on a break or something and he said “when do you think you’ll get this opportunity again?!” and it was the best decision I ever made! He was absolutely willing and happy to do it! I treasure that photo! It reminds me that he is true to the music he writes and performs! Full of positivity and it radiates! The second would be when they performed at Thompson’s Point in Portland Maine while on tour with Matisyahu! When 311 came on it was starting to get dark, and by the time they were on their last few songs, all the boats that were in the water (because they were literally performing on the pier…best setting EVER for a 311 show) at the time were all either blowing their horns in support and a few even set off fireworks!! It was AMAZING! Again, it just radiated their message is being heard and is at its height during those couple hours! The message they spread about positivity just spills through the crowd and the energy is endless!”
A song that Hannah holds dear to her heart is “Beautiful Disaster.” “I have always said that this song was written for me!” There are many lyrics that help remind her to stay positive, and that’s one reason she loves the band so much. However she does have “From chaos comes clarity” tattooed on her right foot. ” I truly don’t think there’s a more statement! At the time when I got the tattoo it was a very chaotic point in my life! However as soon as I was able to see through the chaos and actually get a taste of my freedom and feel myself regaining my I’m independence back, I knew I needed that somewhere on me to remind me to ALWAYS stay positive, and despite how crazy/chaotic and as unpredictable life can be….try to stay as positive as possible and clarity will follow! I truly believe that!”
Like Hannah mentioned earlier, she is a Navy brat so she had many opportunities to travel when she was younger. “
Though mostly at a younger age, we moved every 2-3 years until I became a junior in high school and my dad decided to do his last tour in Virginia on his own and let us continue to reside in Maine so I could finish high school! Where we spent most of our time in California between San Diego and Monterey, I was also able to experience places like Seattle Washington, which is why I think 90’s grunge/alternative is my go to genre! Denver Colorado and few other states so very short amounts of time! As for funding my 311 habit, I’ve been VERY lucky to have them perform in the New England area every year around my birthday so my tickets are usually gifted to me! All my friends and family are well aware of my fandom! I consider March 11th a holiday and we celebrate every year :-)”
When asked if there’s anything people don’t know about her, Hannah said she’s pretty transparent and let’s people know who she is. Her friends all know of her obsession with 311. “3/11 is like a second birthday!” Guilty pleasure for Hannah is the show “RuPauls Drag Race” and she loves to binge watch it.
There are many other artists and bands that Hannah listens to. “I was very disappointed about missing 311 this year because they were touring with Incubus which is a band I ADORE and have been needing to add to my list of live shows! But I’m a little bit of everywhere with whom I listen to! I’ll give everything/everyone a chance, especially live, but Pepper, Dirty Heads, Matisyahu, Stone Temple Pilots, Slightly Stupid, System of a Down…and the list goes on and on!”
Hannah would like to send this message to the guys of 311: “Thank you for staying true to the messages you relay in your songs! Thank you for always having a strong positive vibe! Thank you for the energy you put into your live shows that make them so much fun and something I look forward to each and every year!! Thank you!!!”
Finally, here are her words to all her fellow 311 fans out there:
“Keep the positivity alive my friends!!! Stay thankful, thoughtful and be kind!! Save your energy and BRING IT for when we are able to all rock out together again to our favorite band to all our favorite songs and remember “One day WE’LL see the clear blue…”
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That’s the story of Hannah McKernan friends! I hope you enjoyed it as much as I enjoyed writing it! Thank you for the continued support of the fan spotlight. Have an amazing week all!
Happy New Year my excitable friends in 311 nation! 2021 is here and I can’t think of a better way to start it off than with a new fan spotlight. Oh and it just so happens to be fan spotlight #311. So without further ado, I give you the story of the man we all know and love as P-Nut’s Dad – Mr. Larry Wills!
Larry said it’s hard to remember what his first thoughts were when Aaron joined the band and he first heard their music. “Needless to say I did like it! I certainly had no idea they would become as famous and fabulous as they are!” Larry said he does remember when he first realized that the band was famous. “This occurred when I was visiting my twin sister and her husband in Washington state and we were watching TV we found a video of a concert in a huge venue I was stoked!!”
As for show count for Larry, he said he can only take a stab at the number he’s attended, which he believes to be somewhere around 33. This number includes the three 311 Day shows in 2020 and all six of the cruises!
Picking a favorite show or event for Larry is difficult, but theres a memorable one for him which was back in 2017 in Albuquerque where he brought 25 friends with him! “It was awesome. I was hoping for a repeat this year but the pandemic nixed that.”
One of Larry’s favorite songs is “I’ll Be Here Awhile.” “Life is brief and I seek to enjoy every day I get!” As for one of his favorite lyrics, it’s “I wanna get high, but you’re keeping me low.”
Larry loves interacting with the fans and smiles when he thinks of how much love he receives from everyone. “The hugs and requests for a “selfie” fill me up with such energy and excitement and pride! I love intermingling with the crowd at concerts and cruises and sharing a vape or a joint and getting stoned with everyone! It’s such a delight to hear fans tell me how much the band has changed their life and how much they adore my son and how he loves them back.”
Larry’s upbringing was very unique, as his father was in the Air Force so he lived many different places. “My twin sister (Sally) and I were born in Somers Point NJ but right away we moved to Massachusetts. Then we spent 3 years in Trieste Italy followed by: Biloxi MS, Panama City, FL. Tachikawa Japan, Clovis NM, Sumpter SC, Montgomery AL, Bossier City LA, and finally Wheeler AFB, Hawaii.”
Larry and his sister Sally spent their freshman year at the University of Hawaii. Then Sally joined her fiancé at the University of Colorado where she finished her degree, while Larry moved to Albuquerque and finished his degree at the University of New Mexico. He majored in History and Sociology. Then he was off to Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky, where he earned his Master of Divinity degree in 1970. “From there I pastored churches in Indiana for 4 years. In March 1975 I entered the Air Force as a Chaplain with the rank of Captain. I felt I had come home! Funny how my first assignment was at Maxwell AFB in Montgomery AL where I had lived for one year in High School when my dad was stationed there! After Maxwell I spent a year at a “remote assignment” in Alaska where no families were permitted, only service personnel. Galen Air Port AK had 350 men and 15 women assigned. Those gals were very popular!! It was a tough assignment for everyone since we were all there without our families. Many of us got divorced as a result. I think a long absence from a spouse either makes or breaks a marriage. I did a lot of marital and other counseling that year, as you can well imagine!”
After that, Larry then was assigned to Tyndall Air Force Base in Panama City, Florida, where he had also lived as a child. “I love the white sandy beaches and the fabulous Gulf of Mexico seafood down there! Then overseas to jolly ole England! I spent two awesome years at RAF Mildenhall, 26 miles from Cambridge! I loved it! From there I traveled all over Europe including Scotland where my maternal grandfather was born! After two years in England they sent me to Montana! What a shock!! LOL. Malmstom AFB is a nuclear missile base with no airplanes, in Great Falls. It was almost as cold as Alaska at times: -65! Then the Air Force sent me back to Maxwell for a year at the Command and Staff College. I was one of only 4 Chaplains there among 600 other officers being groomed for higher command and responsibilities. Then my best assignment came: Aviano AB, Italy!! I loved it there so much I extended for another year. It was so wonderful to be so close to Trieste where I had lived 3 years as a child and learned the language! I also served the Embassy Personnel in Belgrade, Yugoslavia, as Chaplain to the Protestants. While in Italy, I was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel and then sent to Sheppard AFB TX where I was the Senior Protestant. Sheppard is a training base for pilots and many other careers. Many young people get married upon graduation there. I remember one year I did 78 weddings! Then I was sent to Guam! Anderson AFB! 15 months on an island 8 X 32 miles big! I felt so small there! Fortunately I got certified as a SCUBA diver and spent a lot of time underwater every chance I got. While on Guam Mt Pinotubo Volcano in the Philippines blew up and Clark AFB and Subic Bay personnel were evacuated to Guam. I was tasked to assist the 20,000 men, women and children with housing and food and comfort during their transition. My chapel staff and I managed to get 2,000 volunteers from all over Guam to help! It was amazing!! We had trucks of fruit and clothing and food given to these “refugees” who could only take what they could carry when they were ordered to escape the falling debris and ash. It was beautiful how many Guamanians opened their doors and hearts to these in need. I will never forget their generosity and love.”
After this, Larry was sent to what he calls his most unique assignment, to be the Senior Chaplain at The National Security Agency on Ft. Meade between Washington, D.C., and Baltimore, Maryland. “I spent three years there as an “Industrial Chaplain” where I served the men and women at the NSA including not only Air Force and their families but also the Navy men and women at the NSA and thousands of civilians! All “hush hush” stuff but very interesting dealing with highly intelligent people doing very sensitive and difficult work with all the pressure you can imagine.” His final assignment was at the base where he said most Air Force women and men start out, Lackland AFB in San Antonio, Texas. “I was supervising 16 chaplains and flying a desk which was not my cup of tea! After slightly less than a year I felt it was time to retire and move to where I wanted to live and retire!”
Larry retired in Albuquerque and said he spent his first year of retirement getting used to the freedom of being himself as a gay man who no longer had to hide his sexuality. “I rejoice that change has come to the military where one can serve openly now! I also started volunteering as a Chaplain with our local Police Department. Then I took a job as the Chaplain for a hospice. I was the chaplain for VistaCare Hospice for 14 years. I can’t tell you how rewarding it was to be a spiritual support to patients and their families during this most difficult of times we all must face someday.”
Something that Larry believes many fans may not know about him is that for 25 years he has been living with HIV. “Fortunately I am doing perfectly well with the medications that keep me “undetectable”. Having a “terminal disease” has made me appreciate every day I get to live. It changed my life for the better.”
Larry loves all types of music, from Hard Rock to Reggae, Broadway Musicals to Country! “I love Neil Diamond, Barbra Streisand, Pink, Dolly Parton, and Jane Olivor, to name a few!”
Guilty pleasure for Larry? He loves to drive fast! “My Tesla Model 3 is such an awesome delight that thrills me every time I step on the accelerator!! I also enjoy getting stoned! LOL.” Larry has also officiated many wedding ceremonies, including ones for 311 fans and also for SA’s sister Laurie and her wife Kim!
Finally, Larry has this message to all the 311 fans out there:
“I love you so much I can’t express it in words. Three years ago I spend 6 days in Intensive Care after what was thought to be a stoke or seizure following my daily run. . I received hundreds of well wishes in cards and e-mails and such from fans all over the world, literally. Then I was crushed with hugs and love when you all saw me in Las Vegas!
Several fans asked me to perform their wedding. Such an honor and delight it was. Thank you!
Peace Love Unity Respect. 311 is not only a band, it’s family. I am so proud of my son Aaron and Nick, and S.A, and Tim and Chad!
30 years and counting. I’m still excited.”
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There you have it my friends, the story of Larry Wills! What a great way to kick off the new year. Here’s to hoping that 2021 gets us back to being able to be together and enjoy seeing the boys live again. Thank you to Larry for being a part of this excitable nation and for allowing me to interview him! As always, many many thanks to all the supporters of this little project. Have an amazing week and start to your 2021!
