Brigid’s Cross – Cleveland, OH (May-Sept) / Anna Maria Island, FL (Oct-April)

For 30 years and counting, Paul Baker and Peggy Goonan-Baker have brought an eclectic and entertaining collection of music to stages far and wide. Formed in 1996, Brigid’s Cross has played it all: true-to-heritage traditional Celtic folk, contemporary Irish music, country, rock, alternative, and originals. Truly eclectic music with a Celtic twist! They are THE original Cel-Tiki Americans and THE official unofficial house band of Irish Margaritaville. Currently, Brigid’s Cross mostly performs as a duo, and has for the last 18+ years or so. In fact, it’s absolutely mind-blowing (for them) to realize they have performed longer as a duo than a trio.
Paul (Paulie) is the Master of Ceremonies, and a classically trained violinist, to boot. He’s what is most commonly known as a “Suzuki brat.” A student of the Suzuki Violin School. He first picked up the violin just before his 3rd birthday, and studied classically for 13 years. But… in 1978, those studies led him to the Interlochen Arts Academy, where, of all places, he discovered that his violin could also be a fiddle, and he could play rock-n-roll, classic and outlaw country music on it, too. And then THE Charlie Daniels Band came along, and IT. WAS. OVER! While in Interlochen, he joined his first gigging band. A Christian rock band named Lazarus who had a very long and decorated successful 3 month/2 show career… LOL  In his very late 20s he was bitten by the Irish/Celtic music bug, and the rest was history. He has been performing in bands for some 48 years, and as a soloist since he was a young child.
Peggy (Peg, The Pegger, The Boss, Queen of the Goatskin, Queen of the Beer Fountain… oh, there’s more… lol), Anyway… her main instrument is the keyboard. She’s been playing piano since she was a young child; although she really wallops on the bodhran (bō-ron/irish hand drum), as well, not to mention her AMAZING SUPER HUMAN BEER FOUNTAIN!!!  She has been involved in music and theater since she was a young child, and has been performing professionally for over 35 years.
Paulie and Peggy’s stage banter together is often said to be one of the most entertaining parts of the show. They utilize technology to fill out their sound, frequently using backing tracks. Some of them feature their semi-retired guitarist, and nephew, Richie Reece.

Very occasionally, Richie still joins them onstage for certain fesitvals and for rare shows at the family’s three pubs (The Hooley Pub & Kitchen.) When Richie makes the scene, he adds his solid vocals and strong rhythm guitar style to the mix. You might even see him (or these days, more likely his kids) stepdancing!  On really lucky occasions, Peggy’s father, Dick Goonan (aka The Rooster) joins the band onstage for some great vocal performances and for some funny songs, making FOUR generations of family onstage. We are very happy to say at the time of this writing, the Rooster is about to celebrate his 94th birthday and is still crowing quite nicely, strutting his stuff all around the yard. Somebody really should go out there and get him… it’s after midnight!

It has been quite a road of evolution for Brigid’s Cross since their first festival performance at THE Riverfront Irish Festival in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, 30 years ago. BC has performed at festivals, concert venues, and pubs all over America. Then in 2002, when Richie joined the band, they began traveling even more, taking their act to Ireland to rave reviews. This resulted in several return appearances in some of Ireland’s finest music rooms, and also 2 appearances at the Brian Boru Festival in Killaloe, CO Clare, IRE. On either side of the “pond,” audiences have come to expect a high-energy performance and are given it without fail. Since the Hooley Pub & Kitchen opened their doors in 2008, Brigid’s Cross has performed mostly as a duo, maintaining even more of an aggressive touring schedule than they did as a trio. They have performed in Ireland, the Milwaukee Irishfest, Dublin Irish Festival, Cleveland Irish Cultural Festival, and so many more. They have also performed and headlined on various cruises, all as both a duo and trio.

Brigid’s Cross spends a lot of time traveling in the summer to great spots on the East Coast, throughout the Midwest, and lots of places in between and all around. They appear at several Irish festivals across the US. as well.

In the colder months, Paul and Peggy play a very busy schedule on Florida’s Gulf Coast. They perform three to four shows a week on Anna Maria Island at The Bridge Tender Inn, in Bradenton Beach, FL… which has served as their Florida base of operations for the last 14 years. Before that, the Celtic Ray in Punta Gorda was their FL home for almost 15 years. BC also still performs at the Ray while in FL, at least once a month. They also play shows throughout FL performing at numerous clubs and private venues as well. Give them a call or email, and book them for your next party, corporate event, reunion, whatever… They’ll bring Irish Margaritaville to wherever you are

Brigid’s Cross also specializes in playing for weddings… they have the unique ability to effortlessly slide from live performance mode into dj mode, keeping the party moving and the dance floor hopping! Paulie and Peggy’s diverse repertoire, make them absolutely perfect for high school reunions and corporate events. They can literally provide music from any era or genre, making them the perfect entertainment choice for ALL THEMED events.

They have also performed on many cruises over the years, including several appearances on the Irish Festival Cruises and Joanie Madden’s Folk’n Irish Cruises. BC has hosted their very own extremely successful Beach’n Cruise in 2016, 2018, and again, in 2024..

Brigid’s Cross have won numerous awards for their music throughout the years…  They have also performed on television and radio many times in the States and in Ireland.

In 2015, they released their 12th and most recent CD, Perpetual Motion. Paulie and Peggy are in the recording process of lucky #13, yet to be titled.

To book either Brigid’s Cross or a night of DJ/karaoke services with Peggy and Paulie, or a mix of both (especially for weddings!), please e-mail: pauliepeg@gmail.com

Who’s ready for a trip to Irish Margaritaville? It’s “Cel-Tiki” time!