Following an unexpected coronary bypass operation in January of 2009, singer-songwriter-guitarist Peter Case has returned to performing and will play McCabe’s Guitar Shop in Santa Monica, California on December 4th to celebrate his 25th anniversary as a solo acoustic performer. His set will include new songs — his first since 2007’s Grammy-nominated Let Us Now Praise Sleepy John.

Case put performing on hold for most of the year while recovering from heart surgery. The opportunity to focus on other aspects of musical life found him compiling archival works by his noted bands Plimsouls and The Nerves, as well as The Breakaways, his post-Nerves project with band-mate Paul Collins; the pair, in fact, reunited this summer at McCabe’s, where Case sat in during a Collins show. Walkin’ Out on Love by The Breakaways and the vinyl-only release, The Nerves at Pirate’s Cove, were just released by Alive Recordings.  The Plimsouls Live at the Whisky A Go Go, 1982 is set for release early next year. Case is also preparing to enter the studio for two solo projects.

The summer season, Case played a solo acoustic show at Jorma Kaukonen’s Fur Peace Ranch in rural Ohio, where he received a most warm and enthusiastic response to his first show in six months. Case follows January’s operation and July’s gig with his December return to McCabe’s, whose back music room is near-legendary for live acoustic music. Also, it’s a venue close to Case’s heart.

Case became an acoustic-based solo artist in 1984, though he has sometimes plugged back in to play special Plimsouls reunion concerts, much to the delight of his fans.  When he was in need earlier this year, his peers stepped up for a benefit to defray the uninsured musician’s medical costs following surgery: T-Bone Burnett, Loudon Wainwright, Dave Alvin, Richard Thompson, Eric Idle, Sam Phillips, Van Dyke Parks, Syd Straw, Stan Ridgway, Joe Henry…and the list goes on.  All lent a hand during a mighty three-day weekend of fund-raising at McCabe’s, where Case is a part of the family.

“I realize I’m very lucky to have been supported by such a generous and talented community of musicians and friends,” he says.

McCabe’s is not only Case’s hometown club; it is host to his acclaimed songwriting workshops. Case has taught songwriting to beginning and advanced songwriters from Cape Cod, Massachusetts to Dublin, Ireland. This January’s sessions are a rare opportunity to pick up some songwriting secrets directly from a master, whose songs have been recorded by Alejandro Escovedo, James McMurtry, Todd Snider, The Goo Goo Dolls, The Go-Gos and many, many more.  ”It’s great to be back,” he says.

Peter Case 25th Anniversary at McCabe’s Guitar Shop
December 4, 2009
8:00 p.m.
Tickets are $20

For more information, contact McCabe’s: (310) 828-4497 or Mccabesconcerts@gmail.com

For more information on Peter Case’s Songwriting Workshop, contact McCabe’s, (310) 828-4497.

And support local live music — acoustic and electric.