Just a story about the magic that surrounds phish and its phamily. My magical journey with phish started in Austin in 95, but it wasn't until the Jazz festival in 96 that I got a taste of how incredible this scene really was. Then there was the Clifford Ball (the epitome of what phish really is)...

Anyway, phish consumed the next 4 years of my life. One year after living in Colorado for 2 years, I decided I wanted go home for a while. Home being a small hick town in east Texas where my parents live. While I was there I fell in love with a girl. This girl was a product of her environment, pretty much mainstream and clueless to anything else, but I could see something in her that separated her from the rest of the close-minded herd of rednecks that occupy this cowboy town. 

Even though we were in love we were miles apart in the experiences we have had in life. She knew nothing of Phish, veggie burritos, rainbow gatherings, etc., the sort of stuff a phish kid experiences throughout 5 years of touring with phish. She always heard me talk about the magical moments I've had on tour and at gatherings and such, and she could never really relate, but when I would play my djembe drum I could tell she would always get entranced in the rhythm... I knew one taste of the love that flows at a good show, and she would know who she really was. 

Well, I am a semi professional gambler, and when I found out phish was to play two nights in Vegas on there possible last tour ever, I instantly bought two tickets on the night of Trey's birthday ( I thought that would be "the show").  I was jumping out of my skin... I was so excited as I haven't seen the boys since 99. Mercy was just excited to go to Las Vegas. She really didn't like phish's music but tolerated for my sake. 

Well I flew into Denver, saw that show, got a ride from some old tour buddies to Vegas, and picked Mercy up at the airport. She was blown away by the spectacle of tye-dye and dreadlocks that had Vegas under siege. Of course the Phamily welcomed her with open arms. Well we only had tickets for the 2nd night and didn't intend on going to the first. About 3 hours before the show, we decided we had to go. I was playing poker and really didn't want to leave my seat, so she decided to venture out and mingle with the crowd and try to score some tickets. 

After an hour or so she came back and had scored a ticket but couldn't get two.  She went on and on about all the wonderful people she met. Especially one particular girl that she really liked and that really liked her. Anyway, to make a long story short, we went on to the show hoping to find another ticket, which we did along with a spontaneous limo ride to the Thomas and Mack. On the way in she saw the girl who she bonded with, who just so happened to be my kids from Colorado who I have done numerous tours with. It blew my mind. Out of all the kids in Vegas she bonds with total strangers who were my favorite tour kids. 

Then there was the show. It was like being reborn for her. She was sitting next to a guy who had never seen phish either, and after agreeing that it was the most beautiful thing they have ever experienced, she gave him a hug and said welcome to the phamily. I was hearing all of this while jamming to Fluffhead, which was the only song on my wish list... I hadn't heard it since Utah 96 (double rainbow).  Anyway, I thought it was a perfect phish moment. I was so happy that she was consuming the essence of everything that makes Phish what it is. 

And here comes the icing on the cake. Being from a mainstream environment and listening to nothing but mainstream music, one of her favorite, if not total favorite, rocker/rapper magically comes out on stage, none other than KID FUCKING ROCK. I must be dreaming, that can't be KID ROCK, but it was. I couldn't have asked for a better show for her first show, every part about it was magic. But so is everything we do together. 

After phish went on haitus we moved to Colorado. Anyone go to String Cheese Incidents 4th of July extravaganza? More magic in the mountains of Steamboat Springs... Phish wasn't there, but all the kids from Colorado and all the love and good vibes were. A small town girl from small town Texas - a Phish kid for life. 

Anyway, thanks for reading my story, and the next time you're at a show and see someone in the crowd that might look like a "custy" give em a hug, tell em you love em, and enjoy the show. After all, we all share the same soul along with the boys who mend them all together. Love yall see ya. Soon I hope.

- Brandon Patching

Editor's Note: I think we're all sick of that custy bullshit.  Labels have always been pretty worthless.