Another Monday is here my excitable friends and that can only mean one thing…tis the time to meet a new 311 fan! I know many of you are giddy with anticipation for the upcoming cruise (or trying to forget that you can’t be there) so distract yourself for a bit by reading all about Mr. Jay Crawford!
It was thanks to a friend of Jay’s that he was introduced to the sounds of 311, even if the first listen didn’t leave him completely hooked. He was at a small party and his friend put the Music album on. No one seemed into it and people actually asked him to turn it off. Then a week later Jay saw the video for “Down.” “Whilst in a medicinal state…and my mind was blown!”
The last show count Jay was at was 22…then he lost track after Vegas. However he does know which show out of he ones he’s seen is his favorite. “311 Day Nola 2014, because of the beautiful people that have now come into my life. But 311 Day 2012 two day set list was a monster.”
Everyone has that song that resonates deeply into their soul, and for Jay it’s “Strong All Along.” “The riff, vibe and message have so much power in that song.” His favorite lyrics are harder to pin down because he says they change pretty much every other day. When he answered this though his favorite line was, “Nothing to see shows over, people just move along.”
Jay doesn’t believe that everyone stands out from one another, he feels that 311 fans stand out from everyone else! Currently living in Cumberland, Maryland, he says he’s had a love of music since a young age. “I grew up listening to 80’s rap but MTV introduced me to bands like The Scorpions and AC/DC.” Once Jay heard Blood Sugar Sex Magic he said everything changed. “Seeing a band fuse two of my favorite genres kind of set me up for 311’s style.” A little later on in life Jay introduced a friend to 311 and when he heard him sing, he was asked to join the friends band. “First day of practice, the bass player showed up with a 311 sticker on his bass amp, and we’ve played for 10 years. With “Down” and “Homebrew” being two of our signature songs, we covered a total of seventeen 311 songs over ten years.”
You already know that Jay is into music and some of his other favorite artists include Tool, STP, Metallica, Led Zeppelin, Lenny Kravitz, Tribe Called Quest, Pink Floyd, Ballyhoo, and RDGLDGRN. He just recently found a new love in the RX Bandits.
Interesting fact about Jay – he played the viola until high school. Then in 2002 his home became the practice space for the band so when they weren’t rehearsing, he’d play around on the gear in the basement and ended up teaching himself how to play drums! Jay also coaches baseball. He has three summer teams and one fall travel team. He’s also coached soccer since 1994.
When not busy doing the things above he occupies his time with the T.V. show “24,” anything Stephen King, and “Game of Thrones.” Unless it’s baseball season of course, then he says the Orioles, Giants and Dodgers own his life!
Jay’s simple message to the guys of 311 is this: “Thank you!” But to all of you magnificent people out there in the 311 nation, his note to you is this:
“Always have an open mind and an open heart and always …………..
fight like a girl!”
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That, my friends, is Jay’s tale of his life & love for 311! As always, thank you all for reading. You’re all the reason I do this! I’m happy to share your stories with the world and appreciate all of you who want to divulge them. Until next time!
Much love – The Runt