Hello again my friends out there in 311 nation! Another fan spotlight has arrived to you. This week let’s meet Julie Stone!
As a kid in the 90’s, Julie remembers seeing the cover of the Blue album and also the weird looking alien guys on the back, and she said the image was burned into her head. “My sister would listen to it, and I loved how different it was than anything I’ve ever heard. Fast forward to when I grew up, I was going through a really hard time in life and I was reintroduced to 311 through a friend, and I was hooked as soon as I realized how hot Nick Hexum is! The fact that the music felt so good, reminded me of a simpler time, and the lyrics saved my life is a plus!”
The last time Julie counted how many shows she’s attended, she was over 35 but thinks it may be closer to 40 now. Her very first show was 311 Day 2008 in New Orleans. “And that was the start of the magical adventures that followed!” Favorite event for her was the first cruise, hands down. ” That was such a life-changing experience. Taking a leap of faith to get on a ship full of strangers and hope for a good time was something I still can’t believe that I was brave enough to do. Now I refuse to skip a cruise. It was the absolute best time of my life and I’ve connected with so many wonderful people that I plan to remain friends with forever!”
Picking a favorite song is hard for Julie, like it is for many fans. She feels that “Don’t Tread On Me” is her theme song, even if it isn’t a fan favorite. “Before I rediscovered 311, I felt as though I let a lot of people walk all over me. Now when I feel it happening, I hear the song in my head, and it empowers me to stand up for myself and take shit from no one!” And while there are many lyrics that she loves, these are the top three that she tries to live by: “I always say what I feel and that is a promise, nothing in life is above being honest,” “You can’t be let down if you don’t expect the world,” and “Do what you feel, the more absurd the better.”
Julie grew up and still currently resides in South Louisiana. She has had many jobs that help fund her 311 habit, including waiting tables, administrative jobs at hospitals, and now she is a Peer Support Specialist in a mental health crisis center. She is on her way to becoming a Licensed Counselor. “I take a lot of what I’ve learned through 311 and life to help support my clients. I am a single mother to one beautiful boy, that has slowed down my traveling for 311, but he is finally getting to the age where I feel as though he would enjoy coming on 311 adventures with me, and I can’t wait. I want him to experience the magic that I’ve felt thanks to 311 and you all. After seeing so many shows, it really has become almost more of a priority to see my friends who I only see at 311 events, the show is an added benefit.”
Interesting fact about Julie is that aside from the people she met the day before getting on the first 311 cruise, the only other person on the entire ship that she had met was Nick Hexum. Something unique about her is that she is pretty good at feeling peoples vibes and connecting with them. ” I adapt well and can usually get on a person’s level. I also feel like I can connect with animals in a similar way, I may not be the animal whisperer, but I think that they can feel my good intentions.” Guilty pleasure comes in the form of playing Fortnite. “I started playing to bond with my son, but now I just want to zone out and play. It’s really my number one guilty pleasure right now. Those little kids are ruthless though!”
When not jamming out to 311, some of Julie’s other favorite artists include Incubus, Sublime, No Doubt, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Linkin Park, Dirty Heads, RDGLDGRN, Halsey, Eminem, and Rihanna. “These are just the main ones; I like a wide variety of music.”
Julie’s message to the members of 311 is this: “Thank y’all so much for making music that saved me and helps me to constantly enforce positivity in my day to day life, especially when I feel like giving up. Oh and never stop coming to New Orleans!!!”
And now here are her words to her fellow Excitables out there:
“I don’t even really like people, but I fucking LOVE you people!!! Really though, probably without even realizing it, y’all have been such an amazing support system through the struggles in my life and I feel so fortunate to be able to call so many of you my friends. I hope to see some of you soon!!! Stay Positive and Love Your Life!!!”
So many thanks to Julie for sharing her story with us all! As well as a huge shout out to all the readers and supporters of this blog each post. I hope you all have the best week you possibly can. Sending you all the warmth and light that you need.
Much Love – The Runt