Well hello again my friends in 311 nation! Hope you all had an amazing 311 Day last week. Let’s get to it and meet the latest fan spotlight. This week we learn all about Jenna Kimlinger!
Jenna was only about 6 or 7 and her older sister Nadia had been a big fan of 311 since 1996. “Being the younger, nosier, sister, I would sneak into her room to try to read her diary and see what she and her boyfriend were up to. (She was definitely on to me, and I couldn’t find it a lot of the time). However, in her boombox, was the Blue Album. ‘All Mixed Up’ hooked me. They have forever been a staple in my life, but found a resurgence before the birth of my first child thanks to Mosaic.”
Show count for Jenna is 34. Her first show was in 2002 in Milwaukee at Summerfest. “I was in high school, second row, and truly thought I was going to die. It was the first and last time I crowd surfed, and it was mostly so I could breathe.”
As for favorite show, Jenna said there is something magical about every single show. “I love just being in it, you know? You look around and you’re like yep – these are my people. This is my happy place. I have been so incredibly fortunate to see them in so many places – 311 Day in Vegas, Cruise (shout out 1st timers in 23!), Red Rocks, The Tabby in Atlanta, Chicago, and some of the smaller venues on the East Coast. The Milll & Mine show in Knoxville in 2017 was just incredible. I remember it was the first time I heard ‘Purpose’ live and I literally smacked my friend next to me a dozen times. SA noticed how excited I was and just gave me a huge smile. My first 311 Day hits hard, too. How does one pick a favorite 311 show? Each one gets better than the last. 311 ages like fine wine, especially with Nick Sexum… I mean Hexum at the helm.”
The song “Evolution” has always been Jenna’s jam. “I would walk home from the bus stop bumping Soundsystem on repeat. Evolution got a million replays, easily. It was light, brought joy to my life, and was a great way to bring energy into the dreary midwestern winters.” She also loves the song “Island Sun.” “Reminds me of the place that saved my life – Camp Onaway. When Mosaic came out, I was at a pivotal moment of my life – I was finishing grad school, about to be pregnant, and needing some grounding. As soon as I heard the lyrics, I was like yep – that’s camp.” As for a favorite lyric? “The jaded ones will whither while the optimistic grow. “I have it as a poster in my classroom. Great discussion for youth.”
Jenna was born in Atlanta, Georgia, to Canadian parents and they migrated north “to the land of beer, cheese, and the Packers.” She is the youngest of 3 sisters, who are 10 and 7 years older than she is. “I married my spouse (who has only seen them once with me [2nd in Kansas City in April]), moved to Asheville, NC and just relocated to be near family in Minnesota. Why I live here, is still beyond me, but the summers are great and this winter has been hella mild.”
As for what Jenna does to fund her 311 habit? “I always say: HAVE 311 WILL TRAVEL. My spouse and I do not do gifts for holidays or birthdays. Instead he says, “you have 311, happy merry birth/christma/day.” I guess I do a bit of girl math. Lol – For 311 Day this year, I guessed the dates they planned to play and booked a hotel super early and got a great deal. I scour the internet for flights and sometimes, well, the credit card just takes a hit. It’s always a family reunion when 311 plays. My clique, more like a family (had to) calls me the 311 Welcoming Crew. I had glow sticks and headbands to give away at Red Rocks this summer. I gave them away and in return got earrings, cash, and one of the best pieces of pizza ever. I wasn’t in it for any of that – just the Unity, but do you know how COOL it was to look out into that crowd and see the 40 or so people I interacted with and gave them things that glow? It’s like sending out the friendship beam! Welcome to this groove, am I right?”
Interesting fact about Jenna is that she is an amateur cake decorater! “But my creations turn out pretty well.” Something that makes Jenna unique is that, in her words, she speaks fluently in song lyrics, Office Quotes, and or PUNS. “What can I say? I’m a punny gal!” Gulity pleasure for Jenna? “I aspire to be the “Queen of Halloween” on my block. Yearly, my halloween collection grows, most notably, the 12 foot skeleton. His name is Al Cabone.”
Other musicians that Jenna can be found cranking tunes from include the following: “Little Stranger is going to blow up music and become our generation’s Beastie Boys. Mark my words. Bumpin Uglies – Brandon was so kind to say hi to me on the cruise Tropidelic – shout out to my Everwild People – I’m a newbie this year so come say hi! Also, that lineup! Imagine Dragons – seriously – such showmanship. CAKE – have only seen them once but want to see them again.”
To 311, Jenna sends out this message: “Thank you for being the consistent, transformative existence in my life; I am eternally grateful.”
Here is Jenna’s message to all the other beautiful fans out there:
“My people?! What’s up?! Thank you to everyone who I have met. To the lifelong friends, the inside jokes, and the forever evolving Facebook Chat group with what feels like a million different names – thank you. To Nadia, to Tish, Cabin 9066 – forever stay Strong All Along.”
Super big thanks to Jenna for sharing her story with us all! As well as my eternal gratitude to all who read and participate in this little blog. Can’t wait to see some of you this summer on the Unity Tour! Have a fantastic week!
Much Love – The Runt