Due to Gilby Clarke falling off his motorcycle, breaking his arm, and (unbeknownst to many at the time) initiating what would become a seemingly interminable hiatus for Guns N Roses, I had traded in my Knickerbocker Arena Gunners ticket for a ticket to Phish (plus change"...both figuratively and literally) at the Cayuga County Fairgrounds.

The Weedsport show would be the first of an abnormally high percentage of tour opening shows I have attended, my third exposure to the band overall, and the first time I had actually gone to a show specifically to see Phish. We arrived in the lot from Syracuse right at show time, presuming there would be an opening band. On our walk toward the sawdust-covered race track we could hear a band playing. One of my friends inquired of a passing "wookie", "Hey man"...who is the opening band?". His slurred reply was the first of many lessons I have had in the school of Phish"..."Dude"...Phish opens for Phish!".

The memories I have of the show itself that were all so fresh and new at the time are now a faded tapestry of sights and sounds swirling away on the mid-summer breeze of Finger Lake wine country "...with one small exception. As the show drew to a close, I remember Trey asking, "Well"...what song is it y'all wanna hear?" "Freeeeeeebirrrrrrrrrd!" was my answer. "Freebird" I received. I was then, and am still, amused and amazed to the point of tears by the barbershop quartet rendition of this classic rock gem that Phish pulled out of their bag of tricks that night. It demonstrated to me on a first-hand level the magical interaction between band and crowd that occurs each time Phish hits the stage. I had known nothing else like it"...and doubt I ever will.