Crash & Burn Turns 20: Peterborough’s Legendary Jam Night Celebration

Monday, August 25, 2025
The Blackhorse Pub

For two decades, Crash & Burn has been more than just a Monday night—it’s been a lifeline for Peterborough’s music scene. On Monday, August 25, 2025, from 6 PM to 11 PM, The Black Horse Pub will explode with the sounds of twenty years of impromptu magic, musical brotherhood, and glorious noise.

The brainchild of Rick and Gailie Young, Crash & Burn has earned its stripes as the city’s longest-running and friendliest open jam, where seasoned pros and brave rookies collide on stage. No egos, no setlists—just raw talent and the thrill of not knowing what’s coming next.

To mark this milestone, the Black Horse is throwing a party worthy of the legend. Expect powerhouse performances from local luminaries including Charlie Horse, Don McBride & The Unlikely Heroes, Dennis O’Toole & Old Soul, and Mike MacCurdy & Friends—plus a parade of surprise guests who’ve been part of the magic over the years.

Presiding over the beautiful chaos will be Gailie Young, the scene’s ever-gracious queenpin, matching musicians like a mad scientist with a sixth sense for harmony and hilarity. The house band? A wrecking crew of local heroes: JP Hovercraft, Clifford Maynes, Bryan Landry, and Ricky Young.

Every Monday at 7 PM, Crash & Burn transforms The Black Horse into something more than a pub—it becomes a sanctuary. Guitars, congas, harmonicas, banjos, horns—if you can play it, you can jam. With a provided drum kit and no pretension, it’s a playground for spontaneity. Sometimes it soars, sometimes it (gloriously) crashes—but it always burns.

If you’ve played there, you know. If you haven’t, August 25 is your chance. Call The Black Horse (705-742-0633) to reserve a seat—this night’s going to be packed, loud, and unforgettable.

Crash & Burn: Two decades of beautiful noise, one community, no script. Welcome to the soul of Peterborough.