My brother and I have been going to Phish shows since I was 11 years old. Since before I could remember, we never had much in common...except music...except for Phish! When I tell a story about me and my brother, the setting is almost always at a Phish show. That first show in '95 in Philly where my brother and I sat behind Mimi and Len Fishman...probably one of the sweetest ladies I've ever met (God rest her soul). It was with my brother I heard Wilson and became hooked and from that moment on, he and I were linked.

There were times when we planned on going to a show together, such as Philly December '99, and it didn't happen. Unfortunately, the bro couldn't make it back form college due to a bit of legal trouble (hehe) so I was forced to catch a ride with friends. Though I enjoyed myself, the first thing that crossed my mind was "man, he would really enjoy this."

The hiatus caused a rift in my relationship with my brother. We went to other shows, but it wasn't the same. As soon as they started again, so did my brother and I. I couldn't make it to new years or Hampton, but my brother didn't forget to call with the setlists.

During summer tour, we hit up the Camden shows together and proceeded to drive up to Limestone, Maine. The 12 hour ride there wasn't so bad, but during the following 12-hour standstill, we argued back and forth as brother and sister do. Even at some points we would get out of the car and walk a bit in anger...not that you could go very far. As soon as we saw that green entrance, everything was ok. Set up the tent, made some grilled cheese. I decided to eat some mushrooms that day.

First set began and my tripping self enjoyed every second. My brother was right there next to me. Unfortunately, my mind began to play tricks on me (happens to the best of us) and I had what most refer to as a "bad trip"....this was of course only during setbreak, for I would never take myself out of commission for PHISH! Duh. The entire time I was trying to relax, my brother calmly sat next to me and patiently waited. As one could figure, the set break finally ended, the music started, and I was back in the running. Might not have been that way without the bro.

The last show we went to together was Phish Thanksgiving tour in Philly. I knew I was going to Miami for the New Years run and he knew he couldn't due to previous obligations. On December 28th at the American Airlines Arena, I began my 4 days of jammin out to Phish. At the end of each set, the first person I called was my big bro to tell him the set list.

- Sam