BRIGIDS CROSS

Brigid’s Cross is coming to a stage near you.



That’s the goal if the band has its way. Already veteran world travelers, Paul, Peg and Richie continue to add to their list of places visited and venues played. Formed in 1996, Paul Baker, Peggy Goonan-Baker and Richie Reece bring an eclectic collection of music to the stage. From true-to-heritage traditional music to contemporary pieces, Brigid’s Cross is a never-ending show from start to finish. Audiences are pulled into a vortex of humor and pure musical sound that keeps fans coming back for more.



The Faithful, as their hard-core fans are called, come to the shows wearing t-shirts with the latest hip tribute to a frothy pint and temporary tattoos sporting the BC logo. They even have Cross Coozies to keep their drinks cool, and they know all the words to all the songs. They’re global, stretching across the United States to Irish shores, and they all have something in common – their love of Brigid’s Cross. All have been indoctrinated into the BC world, providing the audience participation that is such an integral part of Irish music. The Faithful meet at shows and festivals and online in chat rooms, all because of one band.



It has been a road of evolution for Brigid’s Cross since their first festival performance at the Riverfront Irish Festival in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, almost a dozen years ago. In that time, BC has performed at festivals all over America and in Ireland. On either side of the "pond," audiences have come to expect a high-energy performance and are given it without fail. It is an ensemble, featuring an array of voices and instruments that take center stage for a solid show of entertainment. A little bit of family politics can seep into the on-stage banter, too. You see, Peg and Paul are married, and Richie is their nephew. Add in Peg’s father, Dick “The Rooster” Goonan for a song or two, and the lineage of music comes full circle.



The good news is that Brigid’s Cross shows no signs of slowing down in the near future. With a freshly released CD, “Shake The Tree”, listeners get the expected traditional tunes as well as several original songs. It is a different, introspective look into the creative side of Brigid’s Cross that is a departure from previous albums of more well-known Irish music. One honors an uncle’s partying ghost. Another gives a nod to a community that has overcome nature’s wrath and found the strength to rebuild. It is another example of the intimate relationship Brigid’s Cross has with its audience and family.



The only bad news in all this is the wait until the next time they're in your town. Until then, raise a pint or two to keep your elbow greased.



Look for Brigid’s Cross on a stage near you. Come ready to sing and clap and forget about life for a while. Join the legion of the Faithful and make a few hundred instant friends as you listen to the group that has thrilled thousands across the world. There are many ways to spend time in this world. Spending it with Brigid’s Cross is certainly time well spent.