Hello again excitable friends! Welcome back to another fan spotlight and happy Monday! Time to kick it into high gear and meet Mrs. Beth Haskin!
Beth’s discovery of 311 came like many of us with the release of the blue album and the radio airplay of “Down.” She liked the different sound and style they had. “I had never heard anything like them before and honestly, I don’t think there’s anyone like them today.” While she liked the music, she never really dug deeper into it or saw them in concert until she met her husband Chuck. “He was a huge fan and I could relate to his obsession because I had my own with The Dave Matthews Band. His passion for them made me want to explore their music more.” After he burned her copies of all their CD’s she discovered just how much more there was to the band than she knew. Then on July 19, 2013 Chuck took her to her first show. “He made sure I was on the rail front and center. My mind was blown! I was hooked and the rest is history!”
In the past two years Beth has seen them 8 times, including 311 Day 2014 and the recent cruise to Jamaica. Her favorite so far is without a doubt the cruise. “It was the most incredible trip I have ever been on! Charles proposed to me shortly after boarding the ship, and we spent the next four days enjoying the band we love, visiting Jamaica and celebrating with amazing people who feel like one big family. It doesn’t get much better than that!”
Song that means the most to Beth is a hard question to answer because like many of the fans, there are just so many that she loves. “I’ve always had a thing for “Beautiful Disaster” and I really dig “Freeze Time”. I also can’t seem to get enough of “Five Of Everything”. I love the way it sounds and I think a lot of us can relate to it. Like many other 311 songs, it reminds you to live in the moment and appreciate what you have instead of always being in search of something more.” Favorite quote comes from “Sunset in July” – “Here I was happy.” She says it reminds her that being happy is a choice and we should live in the moment and appreciate it.
Growing up in Louisville, Kentucky, Beth didn’t always have a great life. She grew up in a poor family where her dad was never around and her mother was an abusive alcoholic. She learned to take care of herself and her brother at a very young age. Due to her situation, she wasn’t raised to have confidence or self-esteem and she fell for the first person that she believed cared for her. At age 18 that relationship moved her to Maryland (where she still currently lives) and she was then married at 20. At age 27 she gave birth to her beautiful daughter Lyric.
While she stayed in a toxic relationship longer than she should have, and while she may have endured some very dark times in her life, she overcame them and doesn’t regret the past. “I had a lot of issues early on in my life due to abuse that I had to work through and overcome. Music was always there for me and helped me get through. Despite the fact that I have endured many dark days in my life, one thing is for certain…I always stayed positive! I always felt that there was something better for me on the horizon and that I would make it through. I learned to take control of my life, and that I am in charge of my own happiness. Now I am the happiest I have ever been in my life. I am happily married to a man who respects me and treats me like gold. I have a beautiful, smart, healthy daughter and life is one big adventure. I don’t regret the things that have happened in my life because I think they have made me the person I am today, and I think that those experiences make me appreciate all the good in my life that much more.”
While 311 has become a major part of her life, her main musical obsession is The Dave Matthews Band. “I’ve been listening to them for 25 years and they have gotten me through the hardest times in my life. Like 311, their music also promotes positivity and reminds you that life is short and you should live each day like it’s your last. I love music that speaks me and has meaning. DMB also has a huge “family” like 311. It’s amazing to connect with people through music and experiences, and know that you’re not alone.”
If anyone reading is a fan of the band KISS, then you’ll like that Beth was named after their song! “One of the few things that I appreciated about my mother was that she had eclectic taste in music. She listened to everything and exposed me to all types of music growing up. Music was very important in our household, and it became very important in my life as well. I am grateful for that.”
Beth is extremely good with children and she studied Early Childhood Education. She has been a child care provider for 21 years, nannied, taught preschool, worked with children with special needs, worked in various child care centers and even ran her own licensed in-home center at one point. “My friends call me the baby whisperer because I can calm any baby, and children are drawn to me every where I go!”
When not calming babies and children, Beth sometimes likes to indulge in some guilty pleasures. “I love reality TV! Shows like Teen Mom, Kate Plus 8, The Little Couple, etc. It fascinates me to see how other people live their lives, and at the end of the day it feels good to just relax and watch something that I don’t have to think too much about.”
Beth’s message to 311 is one of gratitude:
“I would thank them for making music that unites people and promotes positivity. Life can be hard, but it helps to know that are others who have felt the same way, and that there is music out there that can help you get through. I would also thank them for everything they do for their fans. Not a lot of bands tour as much as they do, do special days and trips for their fans and take time out to take pictures with their fans. You can tell that they appreciate their fans very much.”
To all the fans that appreciate everything this band does:
“Nick says it best…”Stay positive and love your life”! Truer words have never been spoken. Whatever you’re going through, you will get through it. Life goes on and this too shall pass. Happiness is a choice, and you must choose to be happy everyday and live life to the fullest. Never let anyone but you control your happiness!!!”
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And there you have the story of Beth Haskin my friends! I’m glad you all got to learn more about her and thank you as usual for reading! My love goes out to all of you for being the amazing humans that make up this 311 family. Until we meet again, keep on rockin’ and passing on the good vibes to others!
Much love – The Runt