About

Co-hosts Andrew James (@OneWhoSeesDimly) and Eric D. (@HopSnobbery) launch Episode 009 of Riff On talking about Wheel of Fortune out of all things, and how they used to "shop" at Service Merchandise at the end of the show, a store that Eric worked at in 1992 and 1993. Andy's family bought an Atari in Service Merchandise in 1981 and years later, his wedding ring, which he just lost. Eric recollects his enjoyment of working at Service Merchandise, including all of the different rolls he had while there, and making just over $5 per hour. Back in the days when you had cigarette breaks and Andy recollects how he worked at job in Florida that scheduled their bathroom breaks. He also worked at Ames in South Burlington, which was at the University Mall. Eric issues a WOOHOO! as Target is moving into the University Mall this coming Fall and the boys start talking about stores and restaurants of days past and other stores moving in. While working at Ames, Andy stocked CDs around New England, back when stores sold CDs. Andrew and Eric share a Good Measure Brewery Cuvee de Northfield 2017 over the show. As per Untappd, Our House Saison/Farmhouse ale “Barn Coat” and our House Extra Special Bitter “East Street Bitter” were blended together and then inoculated with a mixed culture of yeast and bacteria including house microflora propagated from various fruits and flowers grown in VT. After fermenting on oak staves for over 12 months we then re-fermented the final blend in bottle. It's a delightful sour and Good Measure out of Northfield, Vermont should be found. The boys start talking about sour beers, as Andrew attempted to introduce Eric to sours with Oxbox in 2014 and my, how palates change. The conversations turns to what do you call someone when you can't remember their name, or even know their name? Is it Dude? Man? Bro? My friend? Sir? Buddy? The guys start talking about the last time they hung out, which is when they connected for a concert. Andrew plays in The Owl Stars and plays open mics and out with Troy Millette www.troymillettemusic.com, who will be opening for Live and Counting Crowes. But on June 14th, Eric picked up a pair of tickets to see Sturgill Simpson at the Shelburne Museum. Andrew's brother, Dave Patterson, introduced Andrew to Sturgill way back when. Dave is a former beer writer for Maine Today, who is releasing his debut novel 'Soon the Light Will be Perfect' in April of 2019 (Preorder: https://www.amazon.com/Soon-Light-Will-Be-Perfect-ebook/dp/B07CS2LH9B/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1532656082&sr=8-1&keywords=Soon+the+Light+Will+be+Perfect) Eric recollects how his music mantra used to be 'anything by country', but his latest favorite artists include Tyler Childers, Jason Isbell and Chris Stapleton - all essentially country music. Eric saw Tyler at Higher Ground earlier this year. Alex Crothers is an original co-owner of Higher Ground, who opened in April of 1998 and nowadays they book the Shelburne Museum, State Theater in Portland, Mass MOCA, Brewery Ommegang and the Midway Lawn at the Champlain Valley Exposition. Unfortunately, Vermont doesn't have a permanent music ampitheater, despite the number of mountains which contribute to the natural shape. We've had Stowe Performing Arts Center and Bolton hosted concerts over the years, but with the exception of Jay Peak hosting some occasional shows in their new structure, we have no summer sheds. Phil Lesh, Twiddle's Tumble Down and Grace Potter's Grand Point North are all upcoming (at the time of the recording) at the Burlington Waterfront. The talk turns into concerts being announced eight months to twelve months out, if not longer. Especially for major artists like Ed Sheeran, Taylor Swift, U2 and Metallica, and that doesn't take into consideration the pricing and how expensive the tickets are. Andrew is looking forward to that upcoming Live and Counting Crows shows, which falls on the same weekend as Phish's Curveball, which will be Phish's eleventh festival, at Watkin's Glen Speedway. Eric has seen Phish over 70 times and this will be his first Phish show in almost five years. Despite the boys likes to see live music, both don't get out to see many shows, especially with families at home. Eric recently went to see moe. two nights at Higher Ground and ended up eating a ticket for both nights. Catch Andrew at 14th Star Brewery with the Owl Stars on August 10th and he'll be playing at the Champlain Valley Fair, both solo and with The Owl Stars. Check out their gigs here: https://www.bandsintown.com/a/4504746-the-owl-stars Andrew James hosts The Local Haunt on Facebook. Eric D. also hosts the Let's Fix Construction podcast. www.LFCpodcast.com Thank you for tuning in and be sure to give us a follow on Twitter or Instagram at @RiffOnPodcast and a like on Facebook at www.facebook.com/RiffOnPodcast/