A Peter Case release is always a welcome affair, and this time especially so as he is back to his roots-rocking roots after having emergency open heart surgery last year. One double bypass, accompanied by five days in the hospital and a six-figure medical bill. Case's friends and fans organized to raise the money for the cost of his care. Benefit shows were held in Austin, Houston, and Nashville, along with a three-nighter at McCabe's in Santa Monica, CA. As Peter was recovering and taking time off, he prepped the reissues of two classic albums by his early outfits The Nerves and The Plimsouls, it brought a rekindling of excitement to get a new project underway. “I had to do the mastering and spent quite a bit of time listening to the old records. It really got me going, hearing those guitars," he says.
Case's CD WIG! hits the store this Tuesday, bringing an earthquaking, earthshaking vibe as Peter grunges out, with help from legendary X drummer DJ Bonebrake and guitarist and songwriter Ron Franklin. They entered the studio on a Tuesday, and by the end of Wednesday, it was pretty much laid down. Electric, bluesy, raw; recorded live and direct to analog tape, as it should be. And hallelujah, there is a tour underway, too!
Peter is one of the first artists to be announced to play the Americana Music Festival and Conference, September 8th through the 11th at the Downtown Nashville Sheraton Hotel. Early bird rates have been extended until the end of June, so if you are thinking about attending, now would be a great time to sign up for a conference registration or a wristband. That is true whether you are an industry member or maybe a fan who wants to immerse yourself in the amazing aggregation of talent that is going to be assembled for this event. Between the Honors and Awards Show at The Ryman, and the evenings in the clubs, it quite frankly rocks. And what a great way to help Nashville recover from the flooding, by bringing some tourism dollars into town.
While you are pondering all that, click the play button below to preview a track from the new Peter Case project Wig! called, "Look Out!"
- Jessie Scott
