The Gig Report - Peter Brennan @ Cross Creek Brewing

 The Gig Report – Peter Brennan @ Cross Creek Brewing

 

The Gig: Peter Brennan (performing Solo)

 

Date: June 13 2026 

 

Venue: Cross Creek Brewing: Downtown Woodstock (8:00pm – 10:00pm)   

 

The Scene… 

 

      Eight years ago, if you went to any type of drinking establishment to see live music, you would probably be met at the door by a staff member/ bouncer. This system would serve two purposes; one, being the infamous ID check, and the second, to see that none would enter without paying the cover charge.  Back then, the night’s entertainment would have been paid a flat performance fee, or been given the proceeds from the door, and sometimes a percentage of it.  But; then Covid happened and then the economy happened, with grocery prices sky-rocketing people just don’t have the means to go out on the town, so-to-speak, anymore.  In short, they have stopped going out.   But the one thing that hasn’t stopped is music, or the artists, that are willing to come out and still play. This happens whether they play to a few people or a lot of them, their spirit remains in tact.  And if your drinking establishment doubles as a music venue you have had, to adapt along with the artists, in order to nurture that spirit.  These days, there isn’t a cover charge, instead there is a tip jar, donation bowl, or an e-transfer protocol. And when it works, it works beautifully. Cross Creek has responded to and embraced this new reality to the point where they have become a regular destination for some of the best known and unknown, local and faraway talent that has played in this area. And that was clearly on display tonight. Let’s get into it!

 

On with Show…       

 

                    There are two types of axes in this world. There is the one that the lumberjack Paul Bunyan uses in North American folklore. And then there is one that guitar players call their musical instrument. Now, if Paul Bunyan, was real and could play guitar he would be called Peter Brennan. Peter has the stature, that makes you believe he would be adept at wielding both. I can’t speak for his outdoor skills, but I can tell you that there isn’t anyone, that is better suited for a campfire with a guitar in his hand.  Because it is that mindset and setting, the Baritone Bard fuses into everyone of his solo performances. And tonight was no different.  Playing for over two hours; from the first cords of “Apple Tree” an original song of his, to Tom Petty’s “Running Down a Dream” Peter is in total control of everything, his playing, the crowd and especially his voice. A lot of solo acoustic performers, when covering a song, will play the exact notes and even attempt to change the pitch and inflection of their voice, in order to mimic the original. Not, Brennan; he doesn’t have to. Peter will take any song and bend it to his will. His good friend, Justin Demerchant, who sat beside me all evening agreed with me. I should point out that the awesome crowd featured quite an assortment of “Merry Men & Maidens, and family as well as the “Rogues Gallery” I was fortunate enough to sit with for the entire evening. It’s always a good sign when an artist has their own following to add to the night’s fun.   

 

                Dear Larlee Creek Hullaballoo,

 One of the evening highlights was an original song Peter wrote, called “Best Night Ever”. He told everyone he had written the song for an audition to perform at the 2026 Hullaballoo. Please give your outmost attention to his performance.  It’s a perfect campfire song and it’s a part of the festival Peter Loves the Best. 

 

In Closing…

 

If you were at Cross Creek Saturday Night on June 13^th you were treated to a great night of music and probably with great friends. And in Peter’s special way he made you feel that it was important to him, that you were there…because it was! 

 

Fun Fact of the Evening… 

Beauty and the Beats have reformed with all original members.  I would look for them at this years RibFest in Woodstock. 

 

The Scene