Kittanning’s “Free Peanuts” Opens Riverfront Concert Tomorrow
The local “Free Peanuts” band will open the first Arts on the Allegheny summer concert at the John P. Murtha Amphitheater tomorrow night after a three-year hiatus. Parking and seating for the free concert is first-come, first-served. (KP File Photo)
By Jonathan Weaver
A hometown band that was one of the first to perform in Kittanning Riverfront Park will be opening for one of their biggest musical influences this weekend.
Lead Vocalist Brian Shaffer began running sound for “Free Peanuts” when it began in the early-1990’s, but joined them on stage around 1997 after vocalist Shawn Cogley left the group.
“The first song on our set list was “Happy” by Sister Hazel – the band we’re opening up for this weekend,” Shaffer recalled. “We had no idea that they were coming.
“It’s going to be exciting – their style of music is the style of music we like to play. For our first gig back in three years to be opening for a national band that had No. 1 hits is exciting.”
Shaffer considered the five-part cover band fans of “Sister Hazel” – the main attraction from Gainsville, Fla. that will be live at the first Arts on the Allegheny summer concert tomorrow night in Kittanning Riverfront Park.
Originally of East Franklin Township, Shaffer, who will be 40 next week, has lived in Kittanning Borough about 10 years and sung well before he graduated from Kittanning Senior High in 1993.
“I started singing when I was in junior high school and always wanted to be in the musicals. In high school, I started taking some voice lessons, but most of it has been learning on my own,” Shaffer said. “I always felt like I could sing – it was just a matter of doing it and practicing.”
Now, he is a landscape architect/land planner at PVE Sheffler, LLC in Sewickley and part of another local band, “The Travelers.”
“I can’t live without playing music,” Shaffer said.
“Free Peanuts” – which began during informal jam sessions at the Wick City Saloon - hasn’t performed live in three years, Shaffer said, and Saturday night will be their first public performance of the summer. It will also be the first performance with the band for guitarist Brett Cogley, of Rural Valley.
The band still includes guitarist Chris Choncek, bassist Mark Reed, and drummer Andy Lattanzio.
A future performance will be August 8 for County Commissioner Candidate Pat Fabian, of Manor Township.
Shaffer’s sons – Maddox and Rowan - might also join the band on-stage during their hour set tomorrow night.
Tomorrow night’s free concert is the only one scheduled for “Sister Hazel” – which has also performed for 20 years - this calendar year.
Local News | jweaver June 26, 2015
By Just sayin, June 26, 2015 @ 10:06 AM
Great band and great guys! They played for benefits and that will always be appreciated.
By Just sayin, June 26, 2015 @ 10:18 AM
Arts on the Allegheny is one of the best things that ever happened for Kittanning and Armstrong County. THANK YOU!!