Other than being joined on stage by Elaine Summers, who sang backing vocals on a few songs, Pete played acoustic solo without a band. Performing songs such as She Got The Potion (off his latest solo release, skywatching) and Lilly Wants A Mountain, Pete’s presence on stage was very accessible and inviting. In fact, once his set was over he signed some CD’s and mingled with the crowd.

During the set, Pete played Long Sweet Summer Night, which he recorded with his side project band The Thorns. Consisting of three members (the other two are Shawn Mullins and Matthew Sweet) the band has been getting heavy rotation on radio and the video music channel VH1 Hits with their single, I Can't Remember. Pete joked that they are preparing to take over the world. With a tour being planned to cover three continents, he might actually be right.

Performing what is probably one of his best known songs, If You Don't Love Me (I'll Kill Myself), Pete ironically forgot some of the lyrics. Maybe it had to do with the fact that nearly one hundred degrees of sweltering heat was directly blanketing him.

Whether solo or with a band, Pete Droge's skills as a songwriter, musician and performer make him a great artist to listen to. Thoughtful lyrics that are sometimes intertwined with a sense of humor, his music is a refreshing break from the commercialism that exists in many of today's most popular (heh-hem....) 'singers'. Pete Droge is definitely an artist worth investing in.

~Melody Alderman