Here we are again folks, it’s time for edition #274 of the 311 fan spotlight! So without further ado, let’s meet Alisha Oliver!
The year was 2012 and Alisha was contemplating ending her relationship with her fiancé at the time, plus she was very busy at work and it was all exhausting her. Her best friend at the time was ending his relationship with his girlfriend and asked Alisha if she wanted to go on a cruise that he had planned to go on. “It didn’t feel right to go with the status of their relationship. Knowing I need a vacation and a chance to escape from reality for a little bit, I took him up on his offer and invited a girlfriend of mine. Little did I know then that this trip would change my life forever. From chaos comes clarity, right?”
Alisha remembers vividly the anticipation she felt boarding the ship. It was her first cruise and she didn’t know anything about the bands but didn’t care…she just couldn’t wait to be out on the ocean and out of reach from reality so she could finally relax. “The sail away show on the Lido deck was the first experience I’d had with 311. The energy, smiles, and atmosphere was one I’ll never forget. Even though the show was cut short due to lightning… it was an incredibly electrifying experience and immediately set my soul on fire. I was instantly hooked. You could say it’s all about the music, but it’s about the people too. That energy they’ve built with the fans is unlike anything else you’ll find and I can’t get enough of it.”
Alisha has always been amazed by the people who know their exact show count…that isn’t her! She’s been on every cruise since that fateful one in 2012. She also has traveled to New Orleans for 311 Day and to Omaha for the anniversary show and secret show that happened afterwards. Favorite show so far has been the beach show on that first cruise for her. “I have goosebumps right now just thinking about it as I type. That. Was. INCREDIBLE. Take me back?!”
Picking a song that means the most to her is difficult because there are many that mean so much to her for a variety of reasons. The one that really connects to her every time is “Beyond the Grey Sky.” “In 2012 I met Nick Stup. His giant teddy bear self with that infectious smile sitting in the narrow hallway greeting people as they came down the hallway. He was in the room directly across from us and seeing his friendly face consistently put a smile on mine. We became great friends even after we went home, like family… often talking on the phone, exchanging texts about life and our kids. It was just another thing I loved about this band… they brought so many wonderful people into my life. When the band played Beyond the Gray Sky at 311 day in 2014, I cried. Seeing Phil flying through the crowd, I smiled. Throughout the years since, we’ve lost some really great familia, but when this song comes on…. we all come together and remember and that brings me peace.”
One of her favorite lines comes from “Creatures (For A While)” – “I’d surely like to rest but the energy gets the best of me. It’s been a wild ride, I wouldn’t change a minute. I can’t slow down inside, guess that’s why I live it.”
Alisha was born in Oklahoma. Her mother unfortunately had some struggles with alcohol so she ended up living and being raised by her grandparents from 7th grade through high school. “I had to grow up early and take care of my brother at the age of 7, so I didn’t really have a childhood of sorts. The struggles of an abusive parent though is what made me fall in love with music. It was my escape. I could put my headphones on, close my eyes and escape to any other place I wanted. It was all I had, even into my early 20’s.”
At the age of 22-23 Alisha was traveling around the U.S. and modeling to pay the bills while running from anything that would take her away from that free feeling she was craving. Then at the age of 23 she found herself pregnant with her son and decided she needed to plant herself back in reality to build a stable life for him. “Ever since I’ve been a workaholic so I could provide a safe space for him and fund special little adventures for the two of us. Music was my first love, but being a mother has been my greatest love. I can’t wait to share the cruise experience with him one day…. 2021, Jaythan and I are coming for you!”
Another artist that has meant so much to Alisha is Stick Figure. When she is at work and just tired and stressed out, she can put their music on and drown out the rest of the world. “His voice just does something I can’t effectively express with words. It’s a feeling you just can’t describe, but I know many people reading this will know just what I’m talking about.”
Guilty pleasure comes in many forms for Alisha. First one is sushi! “I’ll eat the hell out of some sushi and won’t feel guilty at all.” Second guilty pleasure for her is garbage T.V. “My mind goes a million miles an hour, so watching garbage TV at night before bed is the only way I’m able to silence my brain.”
Alisha’s words to the members of 311 are: “Thank you for creating music that provides me a safe place to escape to and for bringing such wonderful people into my life. I never knew what kind of an impact you would have on my life when I stepped onto the boat, but I’m thankful for it every day.”
Now here are her words to all the other fans out there:
“One of the things that made me fall in love with this group and its fans is the unity and positivity we experience when attending these concerts or events. We live in a world that’s very much divided right now and it pains me to see. Imagine how wonderful the world would be if we could come together as one, not necessarily with the same beliefs on everything, but a mutual respect for one another. When you see something you don’t like, you have a choice on whether you respond with love and compassion, or hate. Is it always easy to choose the right response? No, but we can always try to be better than we were yesterday. Thank you to all of you I’ve had the pleasure of meeting over the years. My life is more full with you in it.”
———————
Great story Alisha and thank you for sharing it with everyone! Much appreciation to all of you who read these posts each week. You are all amazing! Until we meet again…cheers all and have a fantastic week!
Much Love – The Runt