Running solo, Eric D. (@HopSnobbery) launches the first episode of the Riff On podcast in over a year and a half as he looks back at the last 120 or so days of the COVID quarantine and his 100 days of being on the ketogenic (keto) diet. Mid-March, the schools shut down, cities and states shut down and businesses shut down. Unemployed since mid-March, Eric decided to take advantage of the controlled environment he would be in to try out the low carbohydrate diet of keto. Eric was familiar with the keto diet from acquaintances in the past, but also because of the YouTube videos of Thomas DeLauer, who himself lost 100 pounds due to the diet. Check out Thomas at www.thomasdelauer.com Not knowing the extent of the quarantine, Eric D. was reinforced by the instant gratification aspect of keto, which can have a fast weight loss up front, which included 10 lbs in the first week. Fed by grass-fed beef, green vegetables and black coffee, the first 30 days of keto went well with much success. Starting with only 20 minutes of Fitbit recognized activity a day, every single day, Eric focused on walking as fast as possible and trying to get 8,000 steps (four miles) in. After wasting time sleeping in the first month of COVID, about 45 days in, things started to click. On May 27, he started using #8000by8 on Twitter with the goal of getting 8,000 steps in by 8:59. A 100 days with barely any cheat days, except for a maple creemee https://www.vermont.org/experience/what-is-a-creemee I'm down just about 50 pounds and doing great. This could be the last episode of the Riff On Podcast, but, no fears! Eric D. along with co-hosts Andrew James and Mel Allen are launching All Roots VT - a Vermont-focused podcast and video channel - which hopes to launch in July and you will be able to find on www.AllRootsVT.com and on your podcast player. If you're interested in hosting, co-hosting or guesting on All Roots VT, email allrootsvt@gmail.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/

Riff On

Episode #012: 100 Days of Keto

Co-hosts Andrew James (@OneWhoSeesDimly) and Eric D. (@HopSnobbery) launch Episode 010 of Riff On, with very special guest, Vermont singer, songwriter, guitarist and Netflix enthusiast, Troy Milette (@MilletteMusic). Troy has been playing the Vermont music scene since 2010 and after starting off his musical career as a solo guitarist, he partnered with violinist, Dylan Gombas, and they won the 2017 Grand Point North Seven Days Local Band Contest. For the 2018 edition of Grand Point North, the Skinny Pancake asked Troy if he'd play a post festival set with additional musicians and his new band, The Fire Below, was born. Troy plays his tracks "Fix This", "Runaway" and “Ghosts (Of What We Used to Be)” during the episode. "Ghosts (Of What We Used to Be)” became available May 4th, 2018 on all digital platforms. Troy recently recorded his debut EP in 2018 and it will be available in February of 2019. Troy will be playing with his band The Fire Below, along with Chris & Eric and Andrew James band Citizen Bare on Friday, December 21st at 14th Star Brewery in St. Albans for their sixth annual 'Home for the Holidays' show. Visit Troy on the web at www.troymillettemusic.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/

Episode 11 - Troy Millette

Co-hosts Andrew James (@OneWhoSeesDimly) and Eric D. (@HopSnobbery) once again welcome The Voice of God, Mel Allen (@TheRealVoiceMel) and launch Episode 010 of Riff On, planning to talk solely about podcasts and podcasting...our new on demand lifestyle. Eric D., after going to school and having a radio background, wishes there was more music-based podcasts. However, due to music licensing and copyrighting, it's not as common as talk-based podcasts. Andrew immediately brings up Mike Luoma, who posts year end best of music lists and he had hoped that Mike would play them on his podcast, (Glow In the Dark Radio). Mike is a Vermont radio staple, who recently was let go at The Point FM 104.7, and was once at WIZN 106.7, where Mel now hosts his own show on weeknights called, Highway to Mel. Mike writes books (the Vatican Assassin series) and is now on noontime on Burlington's web-based radio station, WBKM.org. Eric D. put in time at WEZF 92.9 and WWPV after interning for Corm and the Coach at WIZN, a show which Mel produced for over two years. Corm and the Coach were legendary Vermont broadcasters led by Steve Cormier and Tom "The Coach" Brennan, former head coach of the University of Vermont Catamounts men’s basketball team. Eric D. and Mel both worked with Earl "The Duke" Handy (now owner of Handy's Lunch), Ian Kelly, and Bill "The Rocker" Corbiel (RIP). Mel goes into his radio background, which started originally in 1987, on WJSC at Johnson State College. His one taught lesson was "No Dead Air" and despite having some speech difficulties earlier in his life, he went on-air with a friend and when that friend froze on an open microphone, he slid in front of the microphone and jumped right in. 30+ years later, Mel has worked for an oldies station, classic rock radio, top 40, chart hit radio, Album Oriented Rock, Adult Contemporary, and country radio. Every Riff On podcast seems to have a backdrop of great Vermont beer. Burlington Beer Company's Chunky & Jelly gets a shoutout. The boys started with Farnham Ale's Mr. Fox red ale and Foley Brothers Prawpah Ruby was also consumed early on. Andy calls out Eric's radio jargon when he questions what a skimmer tape was after Eric recollects his college radio show 'Sight for Sore Ears', which he co-hosted with his college radio roommate Dennis from Calais, ME. Eric's other college radio experience was four years on WWPV, St. Michael's College Radio, called "Let it Roll", from 1998 to 2002, where he played live, improvisational, groove jam, years ahead of Sirius/XM and their Jam On station. Seemingly, no radio DJ likes to hear his voice, no matter how much or little they talk when they turn on the mic. And ironically, podcasts are all about talking, and Mel and Eric D. and Andy all host or co-host multiple podcasts at times. Mel's history in podcasting goes back before it was even labeled podcasting. He was recording audio and sending them through AOL instant message and other platforms to troops during Desert Storm, which was Aug 2, 1990 – Feb 28, 1991. He then progressed into sports radio accidentally and co-hosted 'Sports Talk with the Chat Pack' in Burlington. His experience there led him to being head-hunted to host a podcast for the Lingerie Football League with his Chat Pack co-host. The Lingerie Football League website had 3 million hits a day during the offseason and 12 million hits a day during the season and when Mel told his co-host that if they even got 5% of those numbers, they could quit their day jobs, the co-host called the Owner of the Lingerie Football League and asked for more money. Three times. The Owner fired his Co-host and offered the podcast to Mel on his own and uncomfortable in hosting three days before the launch, Mel had to pull out and he eventually sold his half of the company to this co-host. Talk then turns to music and podcast delivery and how technology has changed how we get what we listen to - from reel to reel to digital tape to digital recording and now instant delivery. Andy is a big Bill Simmons and The Ringer podcast fan and discusses how Bill wanted to bring podcasting to ESPN when he was still there. He eventually did, but spoke not too nicely about Roger Goodell, the commissioner of the NFL, and was shown the door. Andy states that it’s not just the technology, but its having the network in the palm of your hand. Andy's favorite podcasts are 'The Last Podcast on the Left', 'Underwater Sunhine', which is the Counting Crows podcast. All of the guys are Counting Crows fan and Eric D. recollects how he got his promotional copy of 'August and Everything After' in Fall of 1993 and seeing them on David Letterman's Tonight Show for the first time, an episode that Madonna was on very stoned. Podcasts have really raised in popularity since the introduction of iPhones and our constant data connection. NPR has really helped bring podcasting to the mainstream with their recording and posting of their standard shows and making them available as podcasts. NPR's Serial is one podcast that really comes to mind as to what really launched podcasts to the mainstream public, which launched in the Fall of 2014. Eric D. talks about some of the podcasts that he's listened to since he got into listening to them, including the first season of 'Startup', which was about the founding of Gimlet Media. 'Reply All' is a Gimlet Media podcast, and Alex Blumberg, co-host of 'Reply All', trended on Twitter this week with his Podcast Bingo. The squares are a must read if you are a podcast fan. (SHOW NOTES EDIT OF THE PODCAST! @AlexLaughs is actually NOT Alex Blumberg, but is Alex Sujong Laughlin, producer of @transmitterpods) Before Eric D. did launch a podcast, he guested on the Off the Table podcast with Pauly V. where they discussed how to setup and launch a podcast. You can find that on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/AaqREbNw-ds So, Eric D. finally started a podcast a year ago, as he launched the Let's Fix Construction podcast with Cherise Lakeside, his co-founder of LetsFixConstruction.com You can find it at www.LFCpodcast.com Mel had previously launched The GR802 Podcast, but just pivoted to videos on YouTube. He's visiting locations and will be recording video and you can visit it at Andrew James co-hosts The Local Haunt with Carrie Henry, where they host local singers and songwriters on Facebook and Soundcloud. The last beer that the boys enjoyed was Bent Hill Brewery's Gracious Thoughts, a juniper berry chaga imperial black IPA. The podcast was quickly wrapped up because the boys had to pee! 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/

Episode 10 - Radio & Podcasts

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/

Episode 009 - #BTV: Music & Beyond

Co-hosts Andrew James (@OneWhoSeesDimly) and Eric D. (@HopSnobbery) launch Episode 008 of Riff On off talking about what's been keeping them busy over the last five months. Eric D. blames Andrew on his gigging schedule with The Owl Stars. One of the last shows that The Owl Stars performed was at Stone Corral Brewery in Richmond, Vermont. Stone Corral hosts bands and open mics, typically from 7pm to 10pm. Richmond has an outstanding community, and On The Rise Bakery is mentioned, as well as the Daily Bread. Summer in Vermont has set in, and Andrew and Eric D's kids are out of school until the Fall. The Vermont weather has been fantastic so far this year, but the heat wave of July of 2018 has recently set it. Fortunately, there was access to the pool, swimming holes and beaches, including the Falls of Lana and Thayer Beach. Summer in Vermont means the Vermont Brewers Festival, which is July 20 and 21st, 2018. Andrew hasn't been in a handful of years, while Eric D. has attended almost half of the 25 plus years. Now four sessions strong, the brewfest added the fourth session due to the 11 minute sellout a few years back. Tickets are still available for the 2018 Vermont Brewers Festival. The downturn in brewfest tickets can possibly be attributed to the abundance of beers available on the shelf around Vermont. Eric opens up the Fiddlehead Brewery Cash Or Trade double IPA, which is a special beer brewed for www.CashOrTrade.org which is a website and social network for live music fans to buy, sell & trade tickets at face value. Started by two Phish fan frothers from Burlington, Vermont, the site started with Phish tickets and has moved towards different bands in the jamband scene like Umphrey's McGree, Dead and Company, STS9 and more. The New England IPA and the Vermont IPA beer scene is discussed, especially with the popularity of the craft beer IPA scene of the last few years. The defense of the Vermont name is discussed, including maple syrup and other products, including beer and selling them within the state. Eric D. and Andrew attended a recent going away party at Mule Bar in Winooski and the talk turns to checking in beer on Untappd. Andrew chooses to not rate, but comment on the beer, while Eric D. still choose to rate beers so that he knows if has drank it before and what his thoughts were. Talk turns to Vermont beer, including Idletyme's latest canning offerings, which include Zog's Pale Ale, which Eric D. deems a must try American Pale Ale. Andrew talks Foley Brothers of Brandon and Bent Hill Brewery of Braintree. Finding cans is a bit easier nowadays and the Jolley Stores offer quite a bit and Eric D. shops at 802BWS. Eric D. tracks the different Vermont breweries that offer cans, which is now up to 40 breweries. Lawson's Finest Liquids of Waitsfield will soon be opening their new brewery, including Double Sunshine and Maple Fayston's in cans. Talk turns to Hill Farmstead Brewery of East Greensboro, who is now offering their beers in cans on site only. Speaking of new cans in Vermont, Green Empire Brewing of Colchester now offers Side Business IPA which is very good. River Roost Brewery of White River Junction is now offering Glimpse and Mas Verde occasionally in cans and Good Measure Brewery of Northfield is offering their flagship beers in cans, including Early Riser and Social Club. The latest brewers to offer cans is Mill River Brewing & BBQ in St. Albans and Hired Hands in Vergennes are the latest to offer craft cans and worth checking out. 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/

Episode 008 - What's New?

Riff On's co-host Eric D. (@HopSnobbery) is joined by Pauly V (@varricc) to launch Episode 007, talking everything right off the top of their head. From music and CDs and Spotify to radio, maps and television. Pauly V. visits the Riff On studio in Colchester, Vermont for the very first time. Left alone in the studio, he admires some of the artwork on Eric D's studio wall, which includes a drawing of Eddie Vedder from Pearl Jam who he thought was Max Cavalera of Sepultura. Eric D. reflects on how Pearl Jam is the first artist that he watched the full arc on, from debut release of 'Ten' to their election into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Conversation turns to the CD collection that Eric D. has in his office and how outdated it is now that Spotify is so widely used. Music royalties are discussed for artists, and Eric D. reflects on a job he had overseeing the copyrights for George Clinton and Parliament/Funkadelic and the derivitive songs due to hip-hop and rap sampling. They guys talk rap, including Vanilla Ice, the Beastie Boys, Run DMC, Kanye West, Jurassic 5, Drake and Post Malone. Radio gets discussed as Eric D. DJ'd at St. Michael's College Radio and The Radiator (he doesn't mention his stint at WEZF (now Star 92.9 in Colchester, VT). How is it that Led Zeppelin only had a few top 40 hits, yet their music is all over the radio, but only modern "top 40" rock songs traditionally get added to stations? Pauly V. drives for a living and the duo talk GPS, Waze and atlases. How great was the GPS as an invention and how obsolete are they now due to Google Maps on our phones? Those that drive in Vermont know what The Notch is from Smuggler's Notch over to the Stowe side of Mt. Mansfield and car GPS' will lead trucks through The Notch (Route 108) when they won't fit through. Can't have a proper episode about anything without discussing beer. The guys are enjoying an Idletyme Zog's American Pale Ale and Eric D. compares it to Upper Pass' First Drop, which is a wildly popular APA in the Vermont scene. Turns out chicken wings are at four year low for prices and Eric D. wishes the four pack prices of DIPA's were at a four year low, as well. Netflix, horror films, cable, TV, Lucifer and Mike Judge Presents: Tales from the Tour Bus are all discussed as the guys wrap up the episode talking about podcasting. Pauly V. hosts his own podcast called 'Off the Table' (grab it on itunes here: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/off-the-table/id1199645438?mt=2) and Eric D. has picked his brain on more than one occasion about how to setup a podcast. Eric D. asks Pauly about Anchor, which is a mobile-based podcasting service and he just recently looked into it this weekend. If you make it through to the end, Eric D. drops a fairly good podcast topic for those that are looking for a subject to discuss. Tune in and find out. Go find Pauly V. on Twitter. He doesn't use it nearly enough: @varricc 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/

Episode 007 - Top of Our Head

Co-hosts Andrew James (@OneWhoSeesDimly) and Eric D. (@HopSnobbery) are joined by Mel Allen (@TheRealVoiceMel) to launch Episode 006 of Riff On, talking electronics and namely computers, video games and technology because at this point, all of the hosts have been around computers and technology for 30+ years, including Coleco Vision, the Atari 2600, Merlin and Simon. Recollecting Ames, Service Merchandise and Star Trek technology, Mel was introduced to computers in 1984, Andrew, in 1981 and Eric D. around 1984 with an IBM PC Jr. TRS-80 and CAT computers are discussed in early technology. First video game systems are discussed, including Atari, Nintendo and Sega Genesis. Mel still has a Genesis and Eric D. misses the simplicity of the single button and two-button controls like Atari and Nintendo, even though he has a Playstation 3. Retro gaming lives on at The Archives in Burlington, Vermont, which is home to an incredible craft beer list, with 80s upright arcade games. Aladdin's Castle in the University Mall, Dream Machine in the Square Mall, Skateland in Williston, and the Milton laundromat all had upright video game machines that the hosts played at. Eric D. recollects the Nintendo Track & Field trick with the pen cap, as well as playing Atari 8-bit baseball, Sega 94 Hockey and the retirement of Jaromir Jagr and having recently visting a Game Stop to buy a used wrestling video game. But now, it's all about Egames and Egaming and the use of Twitch to live stream video games. Mortal Kombat, Ivan "Ironman" Stewart's Super Off Road and Missile Command video games are all dwelled upon, as welel as Andrew James talking about coding when he first got into gaming. Zork and Leisure Suit Larry were old school computer games and "Deep Fake" would be the modern-age version of cutting-edge technology and electronics. The gang discusses Dragon's Lair to Call of Duty in regards to graphics capabilities and how we're moving into AR (Augmented Reality), VR (Virtual Reality) and AI (Artificial Intelligence) including Pokemon Go. Andrew James has his Wii and plays bowling with his girls, which Eric D. never had. How great would a Wii be with Nintendo games? Interactive gaming is all the rage at the local bowling alley (Spare Time) including a large scale Connect Four and a 'beer pong' type game. Interactive gaming also includes Guitar Hero and DJ Hero. The rabbit hole moves through hip-hop music, including A Tribe Called Quest, Eminem, Run DMC, N.W.A., Drake, Migos and Kanye West. However, when it all comes said and done, this is all part of modern day electronics. Be sure to check out Mel Allen at @TheRealVoiceMel on Twitter and Instagram and at www.therealvoice.com online. 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/

Episode 006 - Electronics

Co-hosts Andrew James (@OneWhoSeesDimly) and Eric D. (@HopSnobbery) and joined by Mel Allen (@TheRealVoiceMel) to launch Episode 005 of Riff On, talking daughters and family. Andrew has a seven year old and ten year old daughter, Mel a four year old, nine year old and twenty-two year old and Eric D. has an almost sixteen year old, who lives in Los Angeles with her mom, a four and a half year old daughter and an almost seven year old son. Andrew, Eric D. and Mel immediately go down a rabbit hole where Eric D. brings up John Mayer, Dead and Company and Joe Russo's Almost Dead. Andrew reels it back in to talk about passing on the love of music to their daughters. Terrible twos was nothing. Threenager is really what it is happening with children nowadays, including the eyeroll and the fussiness that is feeding the kids. Passing on music to the children is something that all three hosts take pride in with their girls. Andrew's girls want to hear 'Stitches' nowadays, but they took great love to The Beatles way back in. Mel taught his oldest daughter to play guitar and some classic guitars and learned that her modern music didn't translate, so she took to older music. Trying not raise an a**hole, Eric D. asks his co-hosts if they feel like they've ever been to hard on their children. Mel recollects about his punishment of taking the door off the hinges after warning his oldest about door slamming. Andrew talks about sending this daughters's friends home early during a play date. Eric D. talks about taking away bedtime stories, despite his love of reading to the kids before bed. How do you get your children to listen? Eric D. is struggling with his kids. Andrew James has been shutting down the WiFi on his daughters to keep them from their YouTube and technology. The girls have grown up around technology, including streaming services and not watching commercials. Cord cutting has led children to not knowing what products are due to lack of traditional advertisement. Modern punishment has turned into "I'm taking away your WiFi" as a consquence. When does the need for entertaining the kids stop? When they get car keys? So, who is going to teach the kids how to drive? The mom? The dad? So, what happens when we all have self-driving cars? The kids are constantly trying to teach Eric D. patience. How do you handle patience with the kids? Mel says that if he needs to say it twice, he asks the kids to stop and look at him and tell him what he just said and if they don't, things just stop. Andrew's hardest time with patience is when his daughter's get a bit mouthy with their mom. Eric's biggest issue is having to repeat himself due to their lack of listening. Public education and daycare is discussed. Eric D. remembers his first grade teacher spanking another teach, and Mel recollects a principal in Richmond spanking. Were you spanked? Wooden spoons, the ruler and the switch were all used. Andrew James says he is transgenerational and says that every generation coming after them is not as good as their generation. The society is connected way more than it ever has been, so what is the concern over social media and the information we put out there? As a sales guy, Eric D. makes it a point of putting information out there. Do your children have a cell phone? Andrew James oldest has one and both of Mel's oldest had phones at the age of nine. Phones lead to everyone having a camera, yet we don't develop pictures anymore. So, are we going to have yearbooks in the future? Andrew James hosts The Local Haunt on Facebook. Eric D. also hosts the Let's Fix Construction podcast. www.LFCpodcast.com Please give us a follow on Twitter or Instagram at @RiffOnPodcast and a like on Facebook at www.facebook.com/RiffOnPodcast/

Episode 005 - Daughters

Co-hosts Andrew James (@OneWhoSeesDimly) and Eric D. (@HopSnobbery) launch Episode 004 of Riff On, talking live music. Andrew and Eric discuss how they met when Andrew was playing with his former Citizen Bare bandmate, John Gratton, at the Monkey House in Winooski. Eric recollects his DJ background at WIZN and WEZF and his experience working with the Burlington-based band, Currently Nameless. Beyond Andrew's experience in Citizen Bare, which started in 2007, Andrew plays live music out with his wife, Elizabeth, as The Owl Stars. Attention turns to radio, both large wattage, low wattage with The Radiator from Burlington and college radio, including WWPV, where Eric D. hosted a show for four years from 1998 to 2002. Eric D's desire to share more music has led to the creation of a private Facebook group called 'Long Tall Road', which is meant to share underground music and events in Northern Vermont. You can request to join here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1940349699560254/ Don't miss Tyler Childers and Anderson East coming to Higher Ground soon. They discuss CDs and the Live Music Archive (http://www.archive.org) and nugs.net and how the distribution model has changed in the music industry. Songwriting gets discusssed, after Eric D. hears Chris Stapleton for the first time with Justin Timberlake on the CMA in 2015 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WSfQw-Qhr14 and recently listened to him on the Joe Rogan podcast (which you can listen to here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=26JaoS-zbz8) Eric D. attended Higher Ground's debut show on April 15, 1998, where Everything and Agents of Good Roots played. They chat through some of the behemoths of the Vermont music scene over the years, including Phish, Belizbeha, Smokin' Grass, viperHouse, Twiddle and Seth Yacovone. National touring acts get touched on, including The Tedeschi Trucks Bands and The Wood Brothers, who played together in Essex Junction, VT in 2017. Eric D. recollects seeing Smooth Hound Smith opening for The Record Company at Higher Ground and The Barr Brothers, who Andrew was recently introduced to by Eric D. Venues get discussed including the Stowe Performing Arts Center (RIP), the Champlain Valley Fairgrounds, the Shelburne Museum and the Lake Champlain Waterfront in downtown Burlington, ArtsRiot, Nectar's, Radio Bean and the Light Club Lamp Shop. The City of Burlington, all 50,000 people of it, is addressed, including the beauty and draw that the Queen City is. Andrew reminiscises about seeing Dr. Dog in the early days and Eric D. talks seeing The California Honeydrops recently as well as seeing Deep Banana Blackout way back twenty years ago. Andrew James hosts The Local Haunt on Facebook. Eric D. also hosts the Let's Fix Construction podcast. www.LFCpodcast.com Please give us a follow on Twitter or Instagram at @RiffOnPodcast and a like on Facebook at www.facebook.com/RiffOnPodcast/

Episode 004 - Live Music

Podcast: Episode #003 Subtitle: Social Media Post Date: January 2, 2018 Hosts: Andrew James and Eric D. Show Notes: Co-hosts Andrew James (@OneWhoSeesDimly) and Eric D. (@HopSnobbery) launch Episode 003 of Riff On, talking social media. Andrew and Eric discuss how they connected at first mainly over social media and how the platforms have changed from anonymous profiles to the Google-ability of todays. MySpace, AOL Instant Messenger (AIM), Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Ello, LIVE Platforms Eric D. runs social media for the Love Vermont Beer pages.  Check out @LoveVermontBeer on Twitter, @LoveVermontBeer on Instagram and at www.facebook.com/LoveVermontBeer/ Andrew James hosts The Local Haunt on Facebook. Eric D. also hosts the Let's Fix Construction podcast. www.LFCpodcast.com Please give us a follow on Twitter or Instagram at @RiffOnPodcast and a like on Facebook at www.facebook.com/RiffOnPodcast/

Episode 003 - Social Media

Co-hosts Andrew James (@OneWhoSeesDimly) and Eric D. (@HopSnobbery) launch Episode 002 of Riff On, titled 'Bleed Celtics Green'. Andrew and Eric discuss their one mutual love when it comes to professional sports, the Boston Celtics. With their love of the Green going back to the mid-80's, the showtime Lakers, the Bad Boys of the Detroit Pistons and the original Big 3 - Larry Bird, Kevin McHale and Robert Parrish. The ESPN 30 for 30 'Celtics/Lakers: Best of Enemies' (http://www.espn.com/30for30/film?page=CelticsLakers) is given rave reviews by Andy, yet Eric D. has only seen a few of the 30 for 30's along the way, but he does want to see the Ric Flair. Riffing on Isaiah Thomas, LeBron James, Bill Russell, Kyrie Irving, Kareem Abdul Jabbar, Gordon Hayward, Paul Pierce, Tim Duncan, Len Bias, Reggie Lewis, Shaquille O'Neal, Penny Hardaway, Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum, Shane Battier and more. While sharing a Burlington Beer Company's You Can't Get there from Here Prickly Pear and Pink Guava from October 2016, Andy and Eric D. talk about coaches and their length of tenures in modern day sports. Andrew James hosts The Local Haunt on Facebook. Eric D. also hosts the Let's Fix Construction podcast. www.LFCpodcast.com Please give us a follow on Twitter or Instagram at @RiffOnPodcast and a like on Facebook at www.facebook.com/RiffOnPodcast/

Episode 002 - Bleed Celtics Green

Co-hosts Andrew James (@OneWhoSeesDimly) and Eric D. (@HopSnobbery) launch Episode 001 of Riff On, titled '21 Years of Craft Beer'. Andrew shouts out the Two Brews Podcast early on, started by Matt Gadaus and Kris Jarrett, check their archives out at http://twobrewspodcast.weebly.com/ Andrew and Eric discuss their history with craft beer and namely, Vermont Beer. Andrew lived in Haiti, Toronto, Belfast, Rwanda, Burundi and Asheville, NC and then got into beer started a wee late, in 2006, due to his missionary work. Eric, meanwhile, started drinking craft beer when he turned 21 in 1996. Mentioning Long Trail, Catamount, Magic Hat and the Vermont Pub and Brewery, one of the oldest brewpubs in the United States, originally founded by Greg Noonan (RIP) along the way. Eric ponders to Andy "If you found Jesus, did you lose Jesus?", but we promise not to riff on politics or religion. Andrew and Eric talk about breweries that got into the craft beer game ahead of the curve, namely Sam Adams and Sierra Nevada, that are losing market share because they're not longer viewed as a small, independent craft brewer. While sharing a Collective Arts Stranger Then Fiction Porter, Eric states it's a wonderful time to be a beer drinker, while bemoaning the current costs of craft beer, with $72 a case becoming the new norm. Beyond Lawson's, Hill Farmstead, and The Alchemist, Andrew and Eric D. talk quickly about some of the other great Vermont breweries including Fiddlehead, Foley Brothers, Zero Gravity, Foam Brewers, Upper Pass, Bent Hill, Four Quarters, Hermit Thrush, River Roost, Good Measure, Rock Art, Lost Nation and Ten Bends. Andrew James hosts The Local Haunt on Facebook. Eric D. also hosts the Let's Fix Construction podcast. www.LFCpodcast.com Please give us a follow on Twitter or Instagram at @RiffOnPodcast and a like on Facebook at www.facebook.com/RiffOnPodcast/

Episode 001 - 21 Years of Craft Beer

Andrew James and Eric D. host the Riff On Podcast. What do they plan on talking about? The sky is the limit. Craft beer. Live music. Sports. Pop Culture. Vermont. CDs. TV. Movies. Whatever is on their mind that they can 'Riff On' 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/

Episode 000 - Riff On What?

Andrew James and Eric D. host the Riff On podcast. What do they plan on talking about? The sky is the limit. Craft beer. Live music. The Boston Celtics. Football. Social Media. Pop Culture. Vermont. CDs. TV. Movies. Whatever is on their mind.