Hey there all you awesome people out there in the 311 universe! I know, I’m sorry I’m a day late in posting this weeks fan spotlight – but have no fear, it is finally here! This week let’s get to know Mr. Winston Kostrzewa!
Winston was introduced to 311 in 2007 thanks to friend Mitch Hex Lyons. The first album he had was From Chaos. “I could not get over how rockin’ Tim’s guitar was. I listened more and more, continuing to be amazed and made happier by their message and their overall talent!”
Winston may have only discovered the band 7 years ago but his love for them grew quickly. He’s been to 10 shows so far – 3 of them were on the third cruise and the other 7 shows he saw in 6 different states. This summer he will be heading out to shows in St. Louis, Chicago, and hopefully at least one night in Atlanta! Of the 10 shows Winston attended so far, he says that his favorite event has been the cruise. The experience was life changing for him. “You can feel the buzz of the love and positivity. Every step you took, there was another person to high five or hug or say whats up to you. Those sets were some of the greatest shows I will probably ever see. It really gives you a new perspective on life. You see these people, each and every one of them as happy as can be for 4 nights. Nothing to get us down. You start to realize that life is a big ball of crap sometimes and that you have to remember who is there for you when you need someone the most. For me, other than my mom, its my Excitable crew that I know is always there for me.”
There are a ton of songs that Winston says mean a lot to him, so much so that it’s nearly impossible for him to choose just one as his favorite. However there are lyrics that stand out to him that he carries with him in his life everyday, such as “If you don’t have someone to do it with it’s not worth doing.” He says those lyrics truly embody the way he sees life. “It’s only as good as the memories you make with the people you share it with.” He also mentioned that one of his new favorite lyrics comes from Stereolithic – “You gotta keep on climbin’ the hill, ’cause if you think you’ll make it you will.” Winston says that he really loves how 311 continues to bring the overall simple message of staying positive and not giving up on life. “Never admitting defeat and continuing to climb the hill, knowing that one day we will reach the top and that also, the top of said hill is different for us all in terms of happiness and success.”
Winston lays claim to Chicago as home (the suburbs of Chicago really) but currently resides in Nashville, Tennessee. He currently works every possible moment as a shift lead at Cracker Barrel in order to fund his 311 addiction. He is an avid sports fan in addition to music! “Let’s go Blackhawks, Bulls and Bears!” Winston says he doesn’t really have too much that makes him unique, but that he thinks he has the capability of being more positive than some of his “non-excitable” friends. “I know how to take the lemons that life hands you, add vodka, and have a life party…if you can’t stay positive and love your life no matter what, you have nothing.”
Being a music lover, there are other bands that Winston holds in high regard. Some of them include Dirty Heads, Rebelution, Full Service, Tribal Seeds, Slightly Stoopid, Atmosphere and A Tribe Called Quest. While these are his current favorites, he says he has a guilty pleasure for gangsta rap! “Tupac, Biggie, Ice Cube, etc. I like to get a little reckless sometimes!” A fun fact that many don’t know about Winston – before his first 311 show, he had never seen a concert!
Winston would like to say a big thank you to 311 – “Thank you for the kick ass tunes and for bringing me together with some of my best friends.”
His message to all of you out there in the positive sea of fans is similar:
“Thank you. Thank you for helping me to discover what love, life and happiness is really about. Thank you to everyone who made me feel like a celebrity on the Cruise with those “Keep Calm” shirts. Thank you to those who have gone out of their way to make sure I’m safe, make sure I”m comfortable and having fun. Thank you to those of you who stay in touch, those of you who have forgiven my mistakes, and to those of you whom I’ve yet to meet, thanks for being part of this groove. It isn’t near the same without each and every one of us. Stay positive, see y”all out there this summer!”
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There you have it folks! That’s Winston! As always thank you for reading and I hope you were entertained. Have a fantastic day and get excited, summer is just around the corner! Until next time…much love!!
The Runt