Hello again my friends out there in 311 nation! Who wants to meet a new fan spotlight? Well all of you if you came here lol. Let’s get the story of Jamie Shelley!

Jamie’s love of 311 started when her brothers friend played them for her one night, right after they first came onto the scene. She was about 11 at the time.

As for show count, she isn’t sure of the total. First show for her was at Edgefest in Dallas, Texas, at the Starplex back in 2000. She went with her friend Justin Congi. As for a favorite show, Jamie said the one that changed her life was 311 Day 2018. “That was when I decided I was going to make the trip to Vegas with 6 strangers.”

As for song that means the most to her, Jamie said it’s “All Mixed Up.” “Just because with all the mistakes and choices I’ve made in my life I don’t regret a single one because it’s made me who I am today and I always bet on myself.”

As for lyric, Jamie chose as her favorite most of all as “Bet on yourself now star, cause that’s your best bet.” She also loves “Spirit on the run, I’m an alien.” ” Because who wants  to fit in. I live to be different and unique.  And  of course there’s Stay positive  and love your life because  being positive has brought a lot of joy to my life and when you’re happy that positivity can bring others happiness.”

Jamie was born in New Orleans but then adopted when she was only 6 weeks old. So she grew up in Dallas, Texas, until she was 20 and she moved to Indiana. For work, she’s done a variety of jobs to fund her love of concerts and festivals, but the best job she had to support her love of travel was making semiconductors. “That came to an end at the beginning of 2023 a few months before  my first 311 Cruise. I am not working at Blue Buffalo and making all the excitables pet food. This has been a great opportunity for me to grow and fund more 311 adventures.”

Jamie loves doing random acts of kindness without people knowing it was her. “Just to see someone smile and feel happy and loved in the moment makes my soul shine.” Her personality is what makes her unique, as she is just really happy and outgoing. ” I try to bring love and happiness to others around me. Something I’m great at is just being there and present for my friends and family.”

For a guilty pleasure. Jamie said that watching reality T.V. is it for her. “From Jersey shore to any of the Real Housewife franchise or Below Deck. ( I have a problem lol ).” When not listening to 311, she can be found jamming to RDGLDGRN, Bikini Trill, Prof, DEMN, Tropidelic, and Palmer Squares, just to name a few. “To be honest my music taste is all over the place.”

For a message to the guys of 311, Jamie has these words: “THANK YOU A MILLION times for your music your positivity and  introducing me to my best friend Daphne Stwart and my Slut Muffins and to all the other excitables I’ve met and love.”

Now here are her words to all the other awesome fans out there:

“To all the excitables I’ve met and haven’t ( I hope we meet soon be ready for a hug and high 5)  Thank you for being you and showing up for our community. Just remember you are never alone. You are loved you are amazing  Stay Positive and LOVE your life.”

---

Super big thank you to Jamie for sharing her story with us all! And as always, my big love and thanks to all the readers each post. I hope you all have a great week and remember to smile at someone you think needs it!

Much Love – The Runt

Hey there my friends in the 311 nation! Here we have the latest edition of the 311 fan spotlight! Let’s meet Patrick Meade!

There was a MTV buzz clip for the song “Down” and that’s how Pat first heard of 311. “Was hooked from then on (‘96). That got me to grab the blue album and then grassroots and music. Just never heard a band with that kind of mixed style and creative flow. I just fell in love.”

Show count for Patrick is sitting at 137. First show ever was at Great Woods in Mansfield, Massachusetts during the Transistor Tour when they played with Jurassic 5.

As for a favorite show, Pat said 311 Day 2004 takes the top spot. “It was my first 311 Day show and I was already down in New Orleans going to UNO for my junior year. Seeing 68 songs and the energy they displayed throughout the entire show and the encode of “Paradise”….It truly was paradise.”

For a song that really means a lot to him, Patrick chose “Sun Come Through.” “Whenever I’m down or confused that song would lift me up and resonate with me!”

As for lyrics, well Pat has quite a few that he said resonate with him:  

• “It’s all right to feel good It’s all right for nothing to be wrong The deepest dream that we have could be tomorrow’s song”
• “I go a yard and a mile to make you  smileBut then I’m happy see I got so many ways to make your gaze elliptical”
• “Everything I eat is from the Earth, right?I am what I eat, straight up Earth, right? Nothing but a walking sack of Earth Nice to meet you, how do ya do? Guess what, ya, you’re one too”
• “I choose a rocky ass path but that’s how I like it Life’s a bowl of punch, go ahead and spike”
• “’Cause I’m water and carbon and not much else. I felt compunction. Conjunction junction what’s your function”
• “So you try to act tough and hide what’s inside Hold your head high, gettin fucked up and throwin’ dice As bad as yours–and and bad enough I’m sure My heart wants to love but must navigate through war”
• “Massive laminate fortress Hazy cannabis porches Saying no to the bores It’s not mine nor yours then I said The wait it sucks, I don’t mind waiting Once you get here, there’s no more gates and I gotta say”
• “I can’t free myself of the suspicion for your motives on your mission some people live for the rules I live for exceptions can’t take part in the deception but I know just how it feels to wanna blow the world awayjust to get to what is real”
• “Serendipitous, my travels throughout time I grab a moment like a thief And then I make it mine”
• “In life there are times when nothing will rhyme there are days I slip when I know I should climb breakin’ the vows I swore I’d never breaka harsh word, a white lie easy to mistake where have you been? haven’t you noticed? there’s no map that exists to point us out of this“
• “Some days it seems it’s not worth it The fight in me is all gone And I’m not trying to be perfect But just get one damn thing done Before I lose control I pick myself up off the floor“
• “I’ve come to say, we’re here to stay Utopian way we’ll play today We’ve got the drive, we are so live Won’t take a dive, we’re gonna thrive We got a condition called ambition.”

Norwood, Massachusetts, is where Patrick grew up and he’s pretty much been there his whole life, minus the year in New Orleans. He’s traveled all over the country, visiting 43 out of the 50 states. ” North Dakota, Hawaii, Alaska, South Dakota, Iowa and Kansas are still on the list for me! Can’t wait to make it to all soon! I have driven cross country from Ma to San Diego, Ma to Utah and Ma. to New Orleans and enjoyed every minute of those travels! Of course they were all for 311 and college football games 😉. ”

Pat is a passionate college football fan and loves all different teams and conferences. “I especially love rooting for one of the worst in the country: our Minutemen of Umass! Lol. Planning on making a Hawaii trip in 2026 if Umass still keeps that independent game on their schedule! Fingers 🤞. Besides traveling I love being active outdoors hiking and enjoy playing basketball. Craft “beering” when traveling is also a must for me! Nothing like the endless creations and options all states have to offer. Other than that I’m a simple dude.”

Fun fact about Pat, he once ran onto the outfield at a Pawtucket Red Sox game and was tackled by the left fielder because it was taking security too long to catch him. “Ahh the good old Drunkin stupid stuff days.” Another thing about him is he can name on spot every single Division 1 College teams nicknames, 362 total. ” Lol I really don’t know how much of a talent that is but that’s all I got.”

For a guilty pleasure, Patrick loves watching “Seinfeld.” “I can watch it everyday all day! Also a Very underrated and Hilarious show I can watch just as much is Frasier (seriously it’s awesome!).”

As for other music that Patrick can be found listening to, the list includes Primus, Rob Zombie, Breaking Benjamin, Chevelle, 3 Days Grace, Seether, Weezer, System of a Down, Papa Roach, and Incubus.

For his message to 311, Patrick chose these words: “Thanks for all the amazing memories and for all the effort you guys have put in to the shows and albums! Definitely a part of my life that’s for sure! Oh and Nick, bring back the duo guitar on “Transistor”!!!! I miss that.”

Now here are his words to all his fellow 311 fans:

“To all the fans out there, keep doing you! I Have met so many of you and can’t say one bad thing! Have had so many great and interesting conversations and can’t wait to continue many more for years to come :)”

---

Big thanks to Patrick for sharing his story with the world! Of course, my eternal thanks to everyone who reads this little blog. Hope you all have the best week! Sending you all some happiness and sunshine.

Much Love – The Runt