Welcome back friends! It’s a new week and time for the latest edition of the 311 fan spotlight. Let’s meet Crystal Fisher!
The first time Crystal heard 311 she was with her best friend growing up. They were chilling at her house and her brother had 311 playing in his room. “We had no idea who they were but soon after I remember waiting to hear Come Original on the radio, so I could record it on one of my mix tapes (which I still have oddly enough even though I have no tape player). That was my first memory of the music but it wasn’t until later when my parents allowed me to go to concerts that I really got into them. Seeing them live was a completely new experience. The music hits in a completely different zone when it’s live. The albums can’t record the energy that vibrates from the band and all through the crowd at the live shows. After seeing them for the first time, I was hooked and it’s been an addiction ever since.”
For show count, Crystal believes she is at 44 after 311 Day this year. First show for her was in 2003. “I was a big fan of the band Something Corporate, and I liked G love as well, so a couple friends and I got tickets and went to the show. We stood at the back for the show, but the energy from the band and the crowd was so ecstatic that before we knew it we were sucked in towards the middle, surrounded by all these people rocking out to the music. I remember I could feel the floor moving slightly from everyone jumping up and down that we thought the floor was going to drop out beneath us! It was wild but loved every minute of it!”
As for favorite event, it was a tough choice for Crystal. She loves the cruises and she has great memories at all the shows, but for sentimental reasons she chose 311 Day 2016. “I got married to my husband Tim on Bourbon Street that afternoon, and then attended the concert afterwards! It was so great getting to spend the first hours being married to the love of my life, seeing our favorite band together surrounded by our closest friends and thousands of 311 fans from around the world! I was also really excited my cat Larry made the 311 day video on the big screen at the beginning of the concert.”
For favorite song, Crystal said that over the years there is always a song or two that stick with her because of whatever is going on in her life. One that she always goes back to is “Flowing.” “I have a bad habit of playing scenarios and events over and over in my head, and the song is a good reminder that when you go down a wormhole of bad thoughts the good are still there even if you don’t think you have any.”
Lyrics that Crystal loves include “Always try to keep your feet on the ground and love yourself” and “Go away sun I’m not prepared for you today, it seems you are, it seems you are.”
Crystal was born and raised on the northeast side of Houston, Texas. She is a first generation Texan and has lived there her whole life. “My parents live in Florida so I try to make it out there a couple times a year and I have family in other parts of the country but I really can’t see myself living anywhere else!”
While Crystal has worked a number of jobs over the years, she has spent most of her professional life working at Bush Intercontinental Airport for a retail company. ” After working in the Human Resources office for a number of years, it opened up the door to working for a TPA that did benefits administration for school districts around the country. 2020 was a big year for us, as we expanded it for the first time and we had a little girl join our excitable family! After her birth I quit my job to become a full time clowder and youngling herder (aka Stay at Home Mom) and For the first time in over 23 years I’m not working for money and instead get paid in cuddles and smiles. It’s been a big change but it’s really great getting to see Leia grow up and be there every part of the way! I’m a huge animal lover and we have 2 dogs and 2 cats, one of which has made his appearance on a number of cruise buttons (@sirlarrymeow)!”
Fun fact about Crystal is that she collected Pez dispensers before and has a collection of over 100 in a box. “They used to be on display but my cat Larry had a habit of knocking them down and it was too much of a pain to reposition 100+ dispensers in a specified order. ” Something that makes her unique is that she likes to be crafty and creative in numerous ways. “Sometimes I paint things, make creatures out of felt, and do a lot of doodles when the creative bug hits. I made a Star Wars mural for my daughter’s nursery and even made my own Star Wars themed Mobile for her crib! I downloaded the Rockabye Baby 311 album to it, to introduce some great tunes to her right away!”
Guilty pleasure for Crystal is watching really bad sci-fi movies, especially shark themed ones. “Jaws is one of my all time favorite movies, so watching a really bad shark movie while having a couple drinks is one of my favorite ways to get a laugh. There are some especially bad ones, so my best friend and I started watching them and then blogging about them when we get the chance.”
For other musicians that Crystal likes, she has quite a few including Mae, Cruiserweight, Passafire, Broadway Showtunes, Dashboard Confessional, Rebelution, Tropidelic, RdGldGrn, Dirty Heads, and Taylor Swift. She also listens to a lot of podcasts including Sword and Scale, Fangasm, How did this get made, Office Ladies, Your own backyard, Bright Sessions, Wolf 359, and The real Jaws.
To 311, Crystal would like to say these words: “Thank you for touring every year and bringing joy to thousands with your energy and awesome tunes! You’ve helped me stay positive in some really tough times, and I’m really thankful for all the events y’all put on each year, and I wouldn’t be who I am today if it wasn’t for your hard work and dedication. THANK YOU!”
Now here is her message to all the other fans out there:
“Hey Everyone! If it wasn’t for the awesome positivity and energy of the fans, I don’t know who I’d be today! I love all of you, and can’t wait to meet more of y’all at all the future shows, cruises, and events to come! If you see me at a show, please feel free to come up and give a high five or a hug! Do as you will, do as you wish, follow your bliss!”
Thank you Crystal for sharing your story! As always, so much gratitude to the readers each week. Have an amazing week! Sending you all so many good vibes.
Much Love – The Runt