Burning Bridget Cleary

About Burning Bridget Cleary

“This is trad music at its best, alive vibrant and lyrical!”
-Jack Baker, The Irish American News

“ . . . Burning Bridget Cleary is on fire with their fourth album, “Pressed for Time”
-Stephen McSweeney, Celtic Music Magazine


"This high energy Celtic Folk band from Harleysville, PA is turning heads with their fourth release, Pressed for Time. Hip, haunting at times, and fast paced; their harmonies and hand for the craft make this a group to keep an eye on for sure." - Uncle Woody, the Spin Doctor, Americana Rhythm Music Magazine


In December 2013, Burning Bridget Cleary was nominated “Top Traditional Group in a Pub, Festival, or Concert” in the Irish Music Awards sponsored by the Irish Music Association.

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Burning Bridget Cleary has been performing and recording their distinctive style of Celtic traditional music since 2006.

Band-leader Rose Baldino drives this band, delivering a dynamic blend of charisma, crackerjack fiddle work, and tightly woven harmonies. The front of the band is shared with some of the best fiddle talent on the East Coast. Currently featured is Amy Beshara, a multi-talented musician, and an integral member of the NYC Scottish music circle. The driving rhythm and bass end is supplied by Lou Baldino on guitar and Peter Trezzi on percussion.

Burning Bridget Cleary has earned a reputation for presenting high-spirited Celtic music at festivals, concerts, and music series all over the eastern half of the (expired link)., including a 2011 tour to Ireland. While in Ireland, the band had a unique opportunity to visit the rural County Tipperary cottage of their namesake, Bridget Cleary, who is remembered as "the last witch burned in Ireland".

The band broke new ground in 2013 when their fourth CD, “Pressed for Time,” hit #1 on the Roots Music Folk and Roots Charts, and finished the year as one of the Folk DJ’s most played albums. BBC's second release, “Everything is Alright”, was awarded “2009 Album of the Year” by (expired link) in Boston. Their music is featured on hundreds of radio programs worldwide, including syndicated programs, Thistle and Shamrock, FolkScene, SingOut Radio, and The Midnight Special.

“Another Day,” a new single release, hit #1 on the Folk DJ charts for October 2014.

Recent /Upcoming Venues:

• The Celtic Classic, Bethlehem, PA (2006, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014)
• Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion, Bristol, TN (2013)
• Blackstone River Theater Concert Series, Cumberland, RI (2015)
• The WNC Highlands Celtic Festival, Asheville, NC (2011, 2014, 2015)
• Celtic Festival and Highland Games of the Quad Cities, Davenport, IA (2014)
• World Café Live in Philadelphia and Wilmington, DE (2010, 2011, 2013, 2014, 2015)
• The Philadelphia Folk Festival (2009, 2011, 2013)
• Musikfest Café, Bethlehem, PA (2015)
• The Indy Irish Fest, Indianapolis, IN (2014)
• International Folk Alliance Formal Showcase, Kansas City, MO (2014)
• The Savannah Irish Fest, Savannah, GA (2015)
• The Buffalo Irish Festival, Buffalo, NY (2011, 2012, 2013, 2015)
• Kansas City Irish Festival, Kansas City, MO (2013)
• Michigan Irish Festival, Muskegon, MI (2013)
• Blackstone River Theater Summer Solstice Festival, Cumberland, RI (2011, 2014)
• The Philadelphia Folk Festival (2009, 2011, 2013)
• 2014 Folk Alliance International Conference, Formal Showcase, Kansas City, MO (2014)
• Hurdy Gurdy Folk Music Club, Fair Lawn, NJ (2013, 2015)
• Rockwood Music Hall, Stage 3, New York, NY (2014)
• The Sellersville Theater, Sellersville, PA (2012)
• NBC Philadelphia, “The Ten Show” (March, 2012)
• Bethlehem Musikfest , Bethlehem, PA(2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014)
• International Folk Alliance Formal Showcase, Kansas City, MO (2014)
• The Celtic Fling, Manheim, PA (2012, 2013, 2014)
• Concerts at the Crossing, Titusville, NJ (2012)
• Shawnee Mountain Celtic Festival, E. Stroudsburg, PA (2012, 2010, 2008, 2013, 2014)
• The Green Lane Scottish-Irish Fest, Green Lane, PA (2006, 2007, 2010)
• The Philadelphia Folksong Society “Influences” Workshop Series, Philadelphia, PA (2010)
• Godfrey Daniels Folk Listening Room, Bethlehem, PA (2006, 2008, 2011, 2013)
• The Tin Angel, Philadelphia (2009)
• WXPN Live Interview/performances on Gene Shay’s Folk Show (7 appearances)
• The International Celtic Festival, Hunter Mountain, NY (2011)
• NERFA Conference Formal Showcase (2014)
• Folkstage on the Midnight Special, WFMT, Chicago, IL (2014)
• The Great American Irish Festival, NY (2011)
• Spring Gulch Folk Festival, Lancaster, PA (2008, 2013)
• NERFA Tri-centric Showcase Artists (2010)
• Ireland Musical Tour (2011, 2015)
• The Philly Fleadh, Philadelphia, PA (2014)
• Mountain Folk Music Series, Tunbridge, VT (2014)
• Levitt Pavilion SteelStacks Summer Concert Series, Bethlehem, PA (2014)
• CT Folk Society Acoustic Fridays, New Haven, CT (2014)
• Sounding Board Coffee House, West Hartford, CT (2015)
• Club Passim, Cambridge, MA (2015)
• Carrboro Arts Center, Carrboro, NC (2014)
• Sandywoods Center for the Arts, Riverton, RI (2015)