Hello again all of you amazing Excitable people! As we inch closer and closer to our favorite holiday, let’s learn about yet another awesome fan. This week we meet Chris Colby!
Like many other fans, it was thanks to “Down” and “All Mixed Up” that Chris was introduced to the magic of 311. He heard them for the first time when he was still in high school and was immediately drawn to their unique sound.
While Chris doesn’t know the exact count of shows he’s attended, he believes it’s above 70. That includes shows at Red Rocks, Halloween 2010 and 2021, Pow Wow, and 311 Day in 2010, 2012, 2014, 2016. His wedding day was on 311 Day in 2010! He’s also attended 5 out of the 6 cruises (they only missed the second cruise due to his wife being pregnant). First show he believes was August 13, 1997, at Pine Knob Music Theater in Clarkston, MI.
As for favorite event/show, Chris couldn’t pick just one. Best he said he could do would be his top 3. “311 Day 2010, 311 Cruise 6, and 311 Pow Wow Festival.”
Of all the 311 songs that exist, Chris said picking a favorite is another tough question. He chose his top songs which include “Life’s Not a Race,” “Use of Time,” and “Outside.”
As for favorite lyrics, Chris has many that he loves including: “Of course we’ll bring the dog”, “Why are you sleeping… gotta get outside”, “Listen to your heartbeat, flow and imagine”, “To be one who loves, to be one who works, the nazz not something that can be given, the Brodel is inside you it comes from within”, “A day like today is for you… to let your mind unwind like you ought to”, and “…lover of animals, yeah I wanna hear ’em”!
The area near Grand Rapids, Michigan, is where Chris grew up and will always consider home. Half of his family is Canadian, so he also spent a lot of time in Ontario, Canada, as well. Central Michigan University is where Chris graduated from and it’s also where he met his incredible wife Megan! Chris was a DJ on the college radio station Modern Rock 91.5FM and played a lot of 311’s music during his time there. “We’ve lived in the St. Petersburg/Clearwater, Florida area since moving here from Michigan in 2005. I fund my 311 travels as a Creative Design Manager – designing product packaging, web, etc.”
Very cool fact about Chris is that his great uncle, Ray Getliffe, was the oldest living winner of multiple Stanley Cups before he passed away. “He played for the 1939 Boston Bruins and 1944 Montreal Canadiens Stanley Cup winning teams.”
Chris is very into Volkswagen vehicles and he said it’s sort of an addiction. “I’ve owned three 1967 VW Bugs, including my first car. All were originally the same color – VW Blue. I still own one of them today. I’ve owned many other VW’s too.” Guilty pleasure for Chris comes in the form of treasure hunting T.V. shows, like “The Curse of Oak Island,” amongst others.
For other musicians Chris can be found listening to, the list includes TOOL, Beck, Cake, The Elovaters, Thievery Corporation, Rebelution, Incubus, Turnstile, The Urge, Rage, Weezer, Beastie Boys, Smashing Pumpkins, Fatboy Slim, Pink Floyd, The Doors, Tears for Fears, and Dire Straits.
To 311, Chris has this question: “Want to get some tacos and a beer sometime?”
Now here are his words to the rest of Excitable nation:
“Much love to all the amazing friends and family we’ve made over the years in so many different places – you know who you are! All the thanks in the world to 311 for bringing us together!”
Thank you to Chris Colby for sharing his 311 story! Without a doubt, I thank you all for reading each week. Thanks for the support and love my friends. Have an excellent week!
Much Love – The Runt