7:00pm • NO COVER! •Happy Hour 4-8

Wolf's Every Monday Blues Show & Sit-In Jam

Great way to hear local blues talent, and you never know who's going to show up. Sometimes out-of-towners and touring musicians. 

Even prominent national acts have stopped by to jam including Guitar Shorty, Bill Kirchen, Eugene Hideaway Bridges, Jimmy Carpenter, Memphis Gold, Bruce Ewan, Bobby Radcliff, Pierre Beauregard, Johnny Sansome, Johnny Vidacovich and Grammy Nominees Tab Benoit and Steve Riley! 

Show Set: Wolf's Blues Shows & Sit-in Jams start the night with the Host band playing an opening show set. The host band features a weekly rotational lineup of some of DC's top blues frontmen such as:

Linwood Taylor--International touring artist (guitar & vocals), 

Matt Kelley--Albert King Award winner (guitar & vocals), and 

Backed up by:  Andy Hamburger (drums) and Wolf Crescenze (bass). 

Occasionally, other special guests will join the band!  

Sit-in Jam Sets

The sit-in jam portion of the evening begins at the conclusion of the show set.  Throughout the rest of the night, musicians who have signed up will be invited to come up 1 or 2 at a time to sit in and jam with the band.

5:30pm - Happy Hour prices! • NO COVER!

Dan Hovey

The former Nighthawks guitarist plays finger-style in the tradition of Takoma Park legend John Fahey.

Live @Hank Dietle’s Tavern

Dan’s YouTube Channel

8:00pm • $10 Cover

Rick Whitehead Jazz Trio

Rick Whitehead • John Previti • Nick Ruggieri

Rick Whitehead Trio Performing as a trio shortly after the untimely death of Danny Gatton, they immediately discovered their musical compatibility and have produced a tight and cohesive musical unit, resulting in stunning performances. The trio presented a concert in July 2004 at the Washington National Cathedral as part of the Cathedral’s Summer Music Festival. Some of the venues where they have appeared are Blues Alley, Bohemian Caverns, the Smithsonian’s Jazz Club, the IOTA Club, the John F. Kennedy Center’s Millennium Stage and, appear on a regular basis at the 219 Restaurant in Alexandria, Virginia.

Rick Whitehead - Guitar

Led by master jazz guitarist, Rick Whitehead, the other members of the trio are bassist John Previti and drummer Nick Ruggieri. This highly acclaimed trio has been performing together since 1994. Their first CD, Live in Captivity, won the Washington Area Music Association WAMMIE Award in 1998 for best Contemporary Album. Their second CD, Live in Captivity, Again was released in 2001. In 2004, 2006 and 2007 they were nominated by WAMA as Best Jazz Ensemble. The trio’s third recording So There We Were … was released in July 2006.

John Previti - Bass

has the distinction of receiving the Washington Area Musicians Award in 2002 for best musician in the Metro area. From Southern Maryland, Previti was a long-time member of the Danny Gatton Band. Considered the guitarist’s bass player, he has performed with Charlie Byrd, Herb Ellis and Les Paul, and with the great trumpeter, Doc Cheatham. Previti has also recorded with Herb Ellis and Paul Simon. He fronts his own quartet and recently released a new CD, Swinging Lullabyes for My Rosetta, which received rave reviews.

Nick Ruggieri - Drums

Nick attended Berklee School of Music in Boston, MA, majoring in Percussion Performance. While in Boston, he studied with Fred Budha, Chief Percussionist with the Boston Philharmonic as well as Alan Dawson, the famous Jazz Drummer/Instructor. While attending Berklee, Nick studied with Joe Hunt, the Latin/Jazz drummer with Stan Getz and Antonio Carlos Jobim, as well as Bob Gulotti, with the the Avant-Garde Jazz Band, The Fringe. Nick recorded and traveled extensively with the Reggae /Ska band, Pacific Orchestra, both on Ras Records and DB Records. Upon returning to the DC area, Nick performed with Mama Jama, a Soca/Calypso and Afro-Pop band from Annapolis MD. He has since played with many area groups in all genres and styles, continuing performance and teaching full time.

Live @Hank Dietle’s Tavern

6:00PM • $10 Cover

THE LONGTIMERS

Ben Holmes • Tom Clifford • Moe Nelson • Pete Rose

DC's finest old-school band: expect high energy Americana roots rock inspired by New Orleans, soul and more.

Live @Hank Dietle’s Tavern

5:30 • No Cover

Selena Raj & Dave Weber

Selena & Dave is a guitar/vocal duo based in Montgomery County featuring passionate vocals, harmony, and colorful guitar playing. They perform music from a wide variety of genres including country, singer/songwriter, rock, pop, and classic soul. Selena & Dave cover Tracy Chapman, Fleetwood Mac, Adele, Kacey Musgraves, and many other top female vocalists.

9:00pm • $10 Cover

Ty Braddock and the Loyal Inmates

Individually, each multiple award winning 'Inmate' has been a veteran of the DC music scene for 20 years or more. Their music enlists flavors of Rock, Blues, and Outlaw Country

5:00pm • $15 • Tickets on Eventbrite and at the door if still available

The first Saturday of each month Big Howdy hosts a showcase featuring a special guest!

Special Guest: Walt Michael Trio

Walt’s wide repertoire ranges from old-time Southern Appalachian, to Celtic, to breathtaking original compositions. As a vocalist and multi-instrumentalist he has recorded fourteen albums and instructional videos, appeared at the Lincoln Center, the Kennedy Center, and toured extensively throughout the US, Canada, Europe and the UK. His music has been heard on ABC-TV, NBC's Tonight Show, Broadway, BBC, TNN, CBC, OLN and PBS.

Video Snowblind

Big Howdy

A DC-based progressive bluegrass band featuring the duet singing of Dede Wyland and Randy Barrett. The group offers a mix of original songs plus reinterpretations of classic country, bluegrass and roots material. Dede is a nationally recognized vocalist while Randy is a well-established singer songwriter and banjoist. Together with Ira Gitlin on bass and Tom McLaughlin on mandolin, Big Howdy sounds unlike any other band. And that's the way they like it.

Dede Wyland - Vocals Guitar

Randy Barrett - Vocals, Banjo, Guitar

Ira Gitlin - Vocal, Bass

Tom McLaughlin - Vocals, Mandolin, Guitar

9PM

Guy Bouchie and the Heart Fixers

Kurt Kratch • Tam Sullivan • Chris Martin

Blazing through Blues standards and original compositions, Guy Bouchie leads a revolving group of top DMV musicians through his electric live shows. Guy builds on the blues tradition of singing guitar slingers such as Freddie King, Magic Sam, and Michael Bloomfield, adding a fresh take and his personal brand of high energy performance. Informed by years of playing everything from dive bar residencies to sharing the stage with Sue Foley and Daryl Davis, Guys passion for the blues shines through with the Heart Fixers. Ranging from sultry slow blues to emotionally charged boogie rock, Guy Bouchie and the Heart Fixers are not to be missed.

2:00pm • NO COVER

Bingo Gigolos

Eric Ulreich  Guitar • Ron Newmyer  Bass • Brian Alpert  Drums • Bobby Fagel  Hammond B3

A quartet leaning heavily on the distinct, soulful sound of 60's and 70's Hammond B3 organ. Think Santana, Allman Brothers, Jimmy Smith and then some hipper contemporary stuff like The Delvon Lamarr Organ Trio and The New Master Sounds.

Live @Hank Dietle’s Tavern

6pm • $10 • Tickets on Eventbrite and at the door if still available

The Lustre Kings

Elvis Show

The King is gone but he’s not forgotten. Elvis Presley would have turned 91 in January, 2026, but his music remains as timeless as ever. In tribute, The Elvis Birthday Bash Band is once again hitting the road for a string of performances designed to delight every Elvis fan, young and old alike. 

The all-star combo is anchored by Mark Gamsjager and The Lustre Kings and rounded out by Butch Amiot ( David Bromberg ) & Teddy Fury ( Royal Crown Revue ) 

The Lustre Kings – who have also accompanied Wanda Jackson, Bill Kirchen and Robert Gordon -- are among the nation’s premiere roots rock acts, with fans from coast to coast and a regular touring schedule that takes them from New York to Austin and from Seattle to New Orleans. Critically-hailed guitarist Deke Dickerson says “Like a fine wine, The Lustre Kings just get better with each passing year.”

7:00pm • NO COVER! • Happy Hour 4-8

Wolf's Every Monday Blues Show & Sit-In Jam

Great way to hear local blues talent, and you never know who's going to show up. Sometimes out-of-towners and touring musicians. 

Even prominent national acts have stopped by to jam including Guitar Shorty, Bill Kirchen, Eugene Hideaway Bridges, Jimmy Carpenter, Memphis Gold, Bruce Ewan, Bobby Radcliff, Pierre Beauregard, Johnny Sansome, Johnny Vidacovich and Grammy Nominees Tab Benoit and Steve Riley! 

Show Set: Wolf's Blues Shows & Sit-in Jams start the night with the Host band playing an opening show set. The host band features a weekly rotational lineup of some of DC's top blues frontmen such as:

Linwood Taylor--International touring artist (guitar & vocals), 

Matt Kelley--Albert King Award winner (guitar & vocals), and 

Backed up by:  Andy Hamburger (drums) and Wolf Crescenze (bass). 

Occasionally, other special guests will join the band!  

Sit-in Jam Sets

The sit-in jam portion of the evening begins at the conclusion of the show set.  Throughout the rest of the night, musicians who have signed up will be invited to come up 1 or 2 at a time to sit in and jam with the band.

5:30pm • No Cover • Happy Hour prices!

Dan Hovey

5:30pm - Happy Hour prices! • NO COVER!

The former Nighthawks guitarist plays fingerstyle in the tradition of Takoma Park legend John Fahey.

Live @Hank Dietle’s Tavern

Dan’s YouTube Channel

8:00pm • $10-$20 suggested donation

THE BROTHER BILL QUINTET

CLASSIC 50’s and 60’s BLUE NOTE JAZZ

• Dan Gutwein - Saxophone

• Nick Ruggieri - Drums

• Hart Pettit - Trumpet

• Alec Petkoff - Bass

• Tam Sullivan - Keyboard

Video - Blueslike

Live @Hank Dietle’s Tavern

5:30pm • NO COVER! • Happy Hour 4-8

David Goodfriend • Skip Casale

• David has played in Goin' Goin' Gone for more than 40 years. What you might not know is that he and Russ Beeker had a duo called The Beverly Brothers that played at Kramerbooks for more than a decade. David's solo act includes a few GGG tunes but mostly it's songs that he wrote that the band never played, songs that move inside his soul, songs he sings to his living room walls. 

• Skip played a lot of drums and guitar in his life until having an epiphany about music. He had an experience of knowing he could play the blues, and he just had to do it. He says surrendering in music is being drawn to play and being able to say, "I am a musician." Then, you just go with what you play in the moment. He also says, "Music is available to everybody." And it's important to just start, and you can learn to play music like being in a conversation.

8pm • $15 • Tickets on Eventbrite and at the door if still available

Sally Baby's Silver Dollars

Hottest thing happening in New Orleans right now.    New spin on classic New Orleans Dance Hall 60’s R&B and Creole Gypsy Jazz.   

“If NPR’s Tiny Desk Contest handed out medals like at the Olympics, SallyBaby’s Silver Dollars would have taken home the silver as runner-up in 2024. Since then, the former underground seven-piece band led by singer and songwriter Sal Geloso has taken off like a gold medal-winning sprinter. The band has gone from playing tiny dives in the 9th Ward to bookings this year at the French Quarter Festival, Jazz Fest and the prestigious High Sierra Music Festival in California… Like many of the other uniquely New Orleans bands that have preceded them into the national consciousness, they won’t remain ours (in New Orleans) alone for long.”

- - OffBeat Weekly / New Orleans

5:30 Happy Hour Show • NO COVER!

Peace, Love & Boogie Woogie Happy Hour

Bill Starks

Bill is an award winning songwriter and keyboard player with a rockin' piano style and a tendency to defy genres, blending rock n roll, honky tonk, boogie woogie and blues into a kind of Americana musical gumbo.

As a member of DC's longtime favorite Americana group Ruthie and the Wranglers, as well NRBQ tribute band Me & the Boys, and a BandHouse Gigs regular, Bill is a favorite for DC audiences, with a lovable lived-in voice, amazing piano chops, and a distinctive songwriting style. His tune "300 Miles from Memphis To New Orleans" won WAMA's song-of-the-year award.  In addition to recording with Ruthie and the Wranglers, Bill has released two solo CD's, "I See Trouble" and "Do You Hear Me Now?" on Azalea City Recordings. In 2015 Bill received the WAMA Songwriter of the Year award. 

New Release! “Peace, Love & Boogie Woogie”

Greg Hardin

Greg has been a fixture in the DC-area music scene for over four decades. As a bassist, singer, and songwriter, Greg has been a member of many area bands including Jr. Cline and the Recliners, Ruthie and the Wranglers, and The 19th Street Band; and was also one of the producers of the popular BandHouse Gigs tribute shows. Greg has many recording projects to his credit, including his solo release “Meet Mr. Knuckles.” He was awarded WAMA's Song of the Year in 2007 for “Babe Ruth’s Piano.” 

8:00pm • $10 Cover

The Grandsons

A fan aptly described The Grandsons exuberant sound as “American music in a blender with the lid off.” The more prominent elements in this eclectic whirlpool are New Orleans rhythm and blues, rockabilly, swing, calypso, and country two-steps. The Grandsons have released eight CDs, two EPs, and have appeared on dozens of compilation over the years, including Raise the Roof (live recordings from the Barns at Wolf Trap), and various Hungry for Music compilations (backing such notables as Lester Chambers, Evan Johns, and Ruth Brown). Their recordings and live performances have earned them 15 WAMMIE awards from the Washington Area Music Association, including Artist of the Year, Best Roots Rock Recording, Best Roots Rock Band, Best Children’s Act, Best Album Design, Best Blues Musician (Chris), and best Pop band. Join The Grandsons as they move and shake into their 4th decade in the world of rock and roll!

The Grandsons “Live @Hank Dietle’s Tavern”

5:30 • $10 - $20 Suggested Donation for the band

Scotch & Soda Band

Scotch and Soda plays straight-ahead jazz, Latin and swing with a deep groove.  They've been delighting audiences in the DMV with their unique blend of guitar driven jazz - featuring tunes from Coltrane, Monk, Charlie Parker, Jimmy Raney and more.

Their first album "Neat!" was released in 2022 and features the band all acoustic with classical guitars, upright bass and drums.  In 2024 they switched their sound to electric, playing old-school, hollow-body guitars on "Gone Electric".   
 
Robert Coleman and Steve Steckler - guitar, John Previti - bass, Joey Antico - drums

9:00pm • $10 Cover

The Hard-Core Troubadours

From 1997-2002 there was a roots rockin’ DC area band called the Hard-Core Troubadours. We played a variety of roots rock, country swing, surf, cowpunk, texas blues, alt country, and rockabilly. There were reunions in 2006 and 2012. Recently we reunited to play for a friend’s memorial party. We all realized we missed playing those great songs together and have decided to fire it up again, plus add some new stuff. We recently played a sold out show at Hank Dietle’s Tavern with The Shambles and it went absolutely great! We’re eager to continue doing occasional shows.

The HCTs are:

Kevin Driscoll-vocals, guitar

Andy Rutherford-guitar, vocals

Louie Newmyer-bass, vocals

Jimi Lethbridge-drums

2pm • $20 • Tickets on Eventbrite and at the door if still available

Beast from the East

Wardell Howell • Chuck Underwood • Deren Blessman • Dan Hovey

Four incredibly talented versatile musicians that have joined forces to create a Rockin, bebop swinging, Jazzy, funky, R&B, Gospel Fusion of feel good music!!

Their sound is a hypnotic dynamic pulse that moves between a Dr. Jeckyl and Mr Hyde sonic vibe. Deren and Wardell lay down a groovy funky foundation, for which Chuck and Dan play incredible rich harmonic melodies over a variety of notable covers and beautiful original compositions! 

Live @Hank Dietle’s Tavern

6:00pm • $20 • tickets on Eventbrite and at the door if available

Corey Arceneaux and the Zydeco Hot Peppers

Corey Arceneaux is a Louisiana born and bred zydeco accordionist and band leader. He learned the accordion at a young age and formed his first band while still in high school. His great-uncles, musicians Rodney Bernard and the legendary Fernest Arceneaux, were his inspirations. As he found his style, Clifton Chenier and Stanley “Buckwheat” Dural, Jr. became his favorites, and Buckwheat also became a mentor and friend.

Corey and the Zydeco Hot Peppers perform internationally and domestically – wowing dignitaries and crowds at special events, festivals, clubs and Mardi Gras balls through the years. They also recorded five studio albums. Simultaneously, Corey has been a radio DJ for about 30 years, which has allowed him to promote Zydeco and the Creole culture of Southwest Louisiana to a larger audience. Currently, he hosts “Hot Sauce Saturday” on KFXZ/Z105.9 FM/www.z1059.com on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Central time.

After moving to Virginia, Corey connected with area musicians with experience in and a passion for Zydeco music. They jammed, and everything came together like a pot of gumbo. The talented Zydeco Hot Peppers are Ben Holmes (drummer), Doug Bell (guitar), Gene Monroe (bass) and Pat Clark (scubboard/frottoir).

Ben Holmes started playing Zydeco in the 1980s. He’s toured and recorded with Al Rapone and the Zydeco Express and the Grammy-winning Queen Ida and the Bon Temps Zydeco band. He’s taken Zydeco on the road from Australia to Africa. Ben plays various genres, but he has a genuine love for Louisiana music styles.Since 1995, Ben has played with DC favorites, such as The Hula Monsters, King Soul, Zydeco Crayz, Savoir Faire Cajun Band, The Canecutters, Canebrake Cajun Band and The Longtimers.

Doug Bell is a veteran musician in the DC area and has performed across the eastern U.S. for nearly 25 years. He has played in bands such as Zydeco Crayz, The Louisiana Sugar Kings, Charlie Sayles and Union Mission Blues, Savoir Faire Cajun Band and Canebreak Cajun Band. His passion is for authentic southern American roots music, especially the dance styles of south Louisiana.

Gene Monroe comes from a musical family and has been a working bassist for the past 30 years. He has performed with artists such as Billy Thompson, King Soul, The Grandsons, Skyla Burrell, Daryl Davis, Shrimp City Slim, Little Bit A’ Blues, Mike Westcott, J.B. Beverley, Deane Kern and Hard Swimming Fish, to name just a few. He has played well-known clubs and festivals both in the DC region and up and down the Atlantic Coast, Memphis, Chicago, San Diego and Japan.

Pat Clark is a professional drummer, guitarist, and private music teacher from Silver Spring, Maryland. As a kid, he went to New Orleans, Louisiana every year for Jazz Fest so Zydeco is in his bones. Pat has been influenced from artists such as Taylor Swift, Dashboard Confessional, Stanton Moore and Los Lobos.

 Corey Arceneaux and the Zydeco Hot Peppers “Live @Hank Dietle’s”

Corey Arceneaux and the Zydeco Hot Peppers are ready to spice up the music scene and to bring authentic Zydeco to the DMV and beyond.

7:00pm • NO COVER! • Happy Hour 4-8

Wolf's Every Monday Blues Show & Sit-In Jam

Great way to hear local blues talent, and you never know who's going to show up. Sometimes out-of-towners and touring musicians. 

Even prominent national acts have stopped by to jam including Guitar Shorty, Bill Kirchen, Eugene Hideaway Bridges, Jimmy Carpenter, Memphis Gold, Bruce Ewan, Bobby Radcliff, Pierre Beauregard, Johnny Sansome, Johnny Vidacovich and Grammy Nominees Tab Benoit and Steve Riley! 

Show Set: Wolf's Blues Shows & Sit-in Jams start the night with the Host band playing an opening show set. The host band features a weekly rotational lineup of some of DC's top blues frontmen such as:

Linwood Taylor--International touring artist (guitar & vocals), 

Matt Kelley--Albert King Award winner (guitar & vocals), and 

Backed up by:  Andy Hamburger (drums) and Wolf Crescenze (bass). 

Occasionally, other special guests will join the band!  

Sit-in Jam Sets

The sit-in jam portion of the evening begins at the conclusion of the show set.  Throughout the rest of the night, musicians who have signed up will be invited to come up 1 or 2 at a time to sit in and jam with the band.

5:30pm • No Cover • Happy Hour prices!

Dan Hovey

The former Nighthawks guitarist plays finger-style in the tradition of Takoma Park legend John Fahey.

Live @Hank Dietle’s Tavern

Dan’s YouTube Channel

8:00pm • $10 Cover

Kiti Gartner & the Drifting Valentines

Kiti Gartner • Zach Sweeney • Steve Wolf • Brian Alpert • Lynn Kasdorf

A band out of Washington DC who play western swing, rockabilly, old country and some jump blues. Their influences include music from the 1940s thru the early 60s, including almost everything that came out of The Quonset Hut and RCA Studio B in Nashville, Sun Records in Memphis, and Bakersfield. Band members are Kiti Gartner (vocals, rhythm), Zachary Sweeney (electric guitar), Steve Wolf (bass), Brian Alpert (drums), Lynn Kasdorf (pedal steel guitar)

Facebook

5:30pm • No Cover • Happy Hour prices!

Keith Grimes • Dean Dalton

Keith Grimes, renowned DC guitarist, known for playing on platinum-selling albums with vocal sensation, Eva Cassidy.

Dean Dalton Before this collaboration with Keith, Dean Dalton worked with many local jazz and blues luminaries including Linwood Taylor, Anthony "Swamp Dog" Clark, Clarence "The Bluesman" Turner, John Bell, Reggie Wayne Morris, Mike Westcott, James Mabry, 4 The Groove, Elliott Levine, Glenn Wiser, Tom Kitchen, Karl Stoll & The Danger Zone, The Mary Shaver & Mike Tash Band, Bad Influence, The Liz Springer Trio and Built 4 Comfort.

Eva Cassidy Interview

Keith Grimes - Eva Cassidy

YouTube “Cry to Me”

8:00pm - $10-$20 Suggested donation for the artists.

Local Cream

Every first Wednesday of the month, Annette Wasilik curates and hosts this showcase of the area's finest singer/songwriters at Hank Dietle's Tavern in Rockville, which has literally risen from the ashes and it looks, sounds and feels fabulous! $10-$20 Suggested donation for the artists.

Featuring: TBA

5:30 • No Cover

Wellvis

Matt Hahn • Karl Straub • Erica Antonelli • Jeff Muller • Nick Ruggieri

Described as "glambilly and psychedelic soul," Wellvis plays a mad scientist's concoction of new originals and early rock 'n' roll (think Carl Perkins, Johnny Cash, and Bo Diddley), along with glam rock a la T Rex, and a dash of psychedelia for good measure. Rock'n'roll that's good for ya, baby! Rock to wellness!

8:00pm • $10 Cover

Swing Dance

Seth Kibel • Flo Anito • Sean Lane • Bob Abbott • Joey Antico

• Seth Kibel is one of the Mid-Atlantic's premier woodwind specialists, working with some of the best bands in jazz, swing, and more. Wowing audiences on saxophone, clarinet, and flute, Seth has made a name for himself in the Washington/Baltimore region, and beyond. He is the featured performer with The Kleztet, Bay Jazz Project, Music Pilgrim Trio, The Natty Beaux, and more. Winner of 28 Washington Area Music Awards (Wammies), including "Best World Music Instrumentalist" (2003-11) and "Best Jazz Instrumentalist" (2005, 2007-8, 2011-14). His most recent recording, "Clown With A Stick," was released in May 2023 on the Azalea City Recordings record label. He's won numerous prizes in the Mid-Atlantic Song Contest (MASC) including the Grand Prize in 2016 and a Gold Prize in 2022.

• Flo Anito Having graced some of DC's biggest stages: Strathmore, Wolf Trap, Merriweather Post Pavilion, the Birchmere, Blues Alley, the Fillmore, Hamilton Live, and Bethesda Blues & Jazz - Flo Anito recently embarked on her first European tour, performing solo in the UK, Switzerland, Germany and Spain! A quirky, clever songwriter with a great big voice, that is in turn, sweet, sultry, powerful, and emotive, Flo's stage presence is undeniable. Classically trained in Voice, Piano, and Cello, raised on the stages of Summer stock musical theatre, and studying Music under Anthony Braxton and Alvin Lucier at Wesleyan University, Flo's sound is a rare hybrid. A Grand Prize winner on Ourstage, with multiple Wammy nominations for Best Pop/Rock Vocalist, Best Jazz Song, Best Jazz Group, Best Country/ Americana Group and Best Folk Group, come see why Flo Anito is wowing audiences internationally!

5:30 • NO COVER! • Happy Hour 4-8

Jack Bond

Jack is a performing musician living in Maryland and Nashville. His voice and guitar playing echo the years he spent living in Nashville as a songwriter/performer/studio musician. Jack’s songwriting career includes the title cut on Polydor artist Roy Buchanan’s album “That’s What I Am Here For.” He has performed dozens of times at the world famous “Bluebird Café” in Nashville. Jack is an accomplished guitarist playing on major artist records as well as producing his own recordings.
Jack has a myriad of styles including Nashville Country, Americana, Pop, Rock, and Christian. He continues to write with some of the best in Nashville, producing guitar tracks and collaborating with them. In November of 2018, Jack was selected to join the ranks of Jason Mraz, Black-eyed Peas and David Lee Roth as a composer for Songs of Love Foundation, producing original songs for children with very serious medical issues.

Jack’s latest venture is composing original songs for TV & Film and he is proud to announce that his song “Blue Memories” written with Jim Pasquale (cuts with Ray Charles, to name a few,) is to be featured in the Hollywood indie-film Turnover. He is “in it for the love of music, and people”.

And who can forget the classic! “Thank God It’s Friday” by Harbison, Bond, and Goddard

Video - “Movin”

Video - “Live @Hank Dietle’s Tavern”

9pm • $20 • Tickets on Eventbrite and at the door if still available

Jonathan Sloane Band

Jonathan Sloane •  Deren Blessman • Robbie Cooper • Ian Trusheim

Jonathan Sloane is a remarkable and incredibly versatile guitarist and songwriter who brings an impressive range of skill to the American music scene. His sound is an intriguing blend of genres which brings together blues, Americana, soul and rock into a unique and captivating experience.

Live @Hank Dietle’s Tavern

5:30pm • NO COVER!

The Chuck Underwood Trio

A collaborative musical endeavor between drummer Byron McWilliams, bassist Mark Lysher and guitarist Chuck Underwood. The trio’s main goal is to create reactionary improvised music across the complete musical spectrum. Although most of the group’s repertoire is from the jazz canon it is by no means limited to that genre, borrowing from folk, rock, blues, and avant-garde. With equal parts of finesse and energy, the trio creates an irresistible musical experience.

9:00 pm $10 Cover

The Highballers

The Highballers bring one of the most energetic live performances of any band in the area...For all the District dwellers, you shouldn’t shudder at the thought of going Clarendon in the dead of winter-the trip will be well-worth the hike. As the official show poster says, “This ain’t your mama’s country music.”

“Shiny stuff, short leather skirts, high-heeled shit-kickers, science, and real country music.”

2:00pm • $10-$20 suggested donation

Tommy Lepson & The Bad Dawgs

Paul Bell • Gary Crockett • Mike Davis • Tommy Lepson

Tommy Lepson is a legend in the DC area for his soulful, award-winning vocals and keyboard playing, and you've heard him with several local acts, but with the Bad Dawgs (Paul Bell on guitar and vocals,  Gary Crockett on drums and vocals Mike Davis on bass) Tommy's singing and his original songs take center stage, and the evening always includes plenty of Memphis soul and New Orleans funk alongside R&B and Rock 'n Roll 

Video

6:00pm - $10 Cover

The Hula Monsters

Hawaiian swing, country Latin, rock and roll, rhythm and blues, Western swing and honky-tonk country.

Live @Hank Dietle’s Tavern

7:00pm • NO COVER! • Happy Hour 4-8

Wolf's Every Monday Blues Show & Sit-In Jam

Great way to hear local blues talent, and you never know who's going to show up. Sometimes out-of-towners and touring musicians. 

Even prominent national acts have stopped by to jam including Guitar Shorty, Bill Kirchen, Eugene Hideaway Bridges, Jimmy Carpenter, Memphis Gold, Bruce Ewan, Bobby Radcliff, Pierre Beauregard, Johnny Sansome, Johnny Vidacovich and Grammy Nominees Tab Benoit and Steve Riley! 

Show Set: Wolf's Blues Shows & Sit-in Jams start the night with the Host band playing an opening show set. The host band features a weekly rotational lineup of some of DC's top blues frontmen such as:

Linwood Taylor--International touring artist (guitar & vocals), 

Matt Kelley--Albert King Award winner (guitar & vocals), and 

Backed up by:  Andy Hamburger (drums) and Wolf Crescenze (bass). 

Occasionally, other special guests will join the band!  

Sit-in Jam Sets

The sit-in jam portion of the evening begins at the conclusion of the show set.  Throughout the rest of the night, musicians who have signed up will be invited to come up 1 or 2 at a time to sit in and jam with the band.

5:30pm - Happy Hour prices! • NO COVER!

Dan Hovey

The former Nighthawks guitarist plays finger-style in the tradition of Takoma Park legend John Fahey.

Live @Hank Dietle’s Tavern

Dan’s YouTube Channel

5:30PM • Happy Hour prices • NO COVER! • $10-$20 Suggested donation for the performers

CGT Jazz Collective

Pete Chauvette • Scott Giambusso • Scott Taylor

This month features: TBA

CGT Jazz Collective performs a happy hour set at Dietle’s on the third Wednesday of each month. The three core members, each bringing more than 30 years of experience on the DC scene, team up with a guest artist to provide you with fresh, exciting jazz.

8:00pm - Suggested donation $10 - $20

Songwriters' Association of Washington

This Month Features: TBA

Sponsored by:
Songwriters Association of Washington
Hank Dietle’s Tavern
Hosted by:
Know1Else

8:00pm - $10 Cover

THE THRILLS

“Spine Tingling Rock n’ Roll”

DAVID KITCHEN - LEAD VOCALS/GUITAR

David is an uber-talented singer-songwriter with deep roots in the DC area. He has won multiple WAMMMIE awards for his work with The David Kitchen Band and The Thrillbillys. 

ANDY RUTHERFORD - GUITAR/SLIDE/VOCALS

Andy has been an in-demand musician in the DC area for the past 35 years. He has won multiple WAMMIE awards with the likes of The Thrillbillys, Ruthie and the Wranglers, and Little Pink.

JOHNNY COMBS - BASS/VOCALS

Johnny has been a cornerstone of the DC area music scene for the past 40 years playing with Evan Johns and the H-Bombs, Tex Rubinowitz, Pink and Black, and Doc Scantlin and the Imperial Palms Orchestra

BRIAN ALPERT - DRUMS/VOCALS

Brian is a veteran of the DC and Charlottesville music scenes. Brian has been the backbone of many legendary bands including Cowboy Jazz, The Assassins, and Doc Scantlin and the Imperial Palms Orchestra. Brian also played and toured with guitar legend Danny Gatton.

5:00pm • Happy Hour prices • NO COVER!

Beatles at Dietle's

DIETLESMANIA! Sarah Bonner (co-owner of Dietle's), brothers Paul and Mark Zimmerman, and Jack Bond playing LOTS of Beatles songs (many album cuts and many hits, from "Introducing … The Beatles!" through "Rubber Soul"), along with other choice '60s stuff. Sarah picked the tunes this time. THIS WILL BE OUR 50th SHOW AT DIETLE'S! Bring some friends, give it a try; we have a good time!

9:00pm - $20 Tickets on Eventbrite and at the door if available

SOUL CRACKERS

Take some of the greatest party music ever made, make sure it’s sung & played by a band that has made a career out of belting out those sweet soul sounds - and you've got yourself a REAL good time — meet the SOUL CRACKERS! 

Their music encompasses Memphis & Motown soul, and features timeless songs by artists like Otis Redding, Average White Band, Martha & The Vandellas & Stevie Wonder among many others. This is the music that brings all ages and personalities together to a dance party. The SOUL CRACKERS grew up with this music and honor it with the legitimacy of a crackerjack soul horn band from the 60's. 

Lead vocalist Tommy Lepson has won numerous "BEST VOCALIST" awards (WAMMIES) from the Washington Area Music Association and is considered a singer's singer. Possessing a stunning and powerful voice, Tommy conveys all the joy and passion that makes this music come alive.  His blue-eyed soulful voice is world class.  He is joined by The Too Much Sisters — two stellar vocalists Anita King and Caz Gardiner, and together they pull off those beautiful Motown harmonies.   

On guitar is Paul Bell, who played with Nils Lofgren and The Nighthawks.  The horn section includes Chris Hutton (trumpet) and Wayne Sulc (sax), and completing the band are Spencer Hoopes (keyboards); Chuck Sullivan (drums); and Ronnie Newmyer (bass) who have been a solid rhythm section for decades.  This is a tight soulful 9-piece band that will literally drive you to the dance floor with their signature medleys and inspire you with three-part harmonies and amazing solos.  

This band is the real deal. 

Formed in 1982, the SOUL CRACKERS were a full time performing powerhouse on the East Coast bar circuit for many years. Headlining shows such as the Adams Morgan Day Festival and clubs like the Bayou and the Wax Museum led to a command performance at the White House in 1994. 

They have played every type of function possible and specialize in clubs, parties, anniversaries, corporate events, weddings and festivals. Soul Crackers has recorded several CDs, including: LIVE at the Barns of Wolf Trap (2003); Soul Crackers, 30 Years of Soul (2011); Soul Crackers, 30 Years of Soul, Volume 2 (2015); and A Soulful Christmas released in December 2018 — all available on ITunes and CD Baby.

Live @Hank Dietle’s Tavern

9:00pm • $10 Cover

Big Boy Little Band

Bret Littlehales • Matt Kelly • Wolf Crescenze • Joe Wells

"Blues for Grownups"

The deep, deep blues. The kind of blues you used to hear on a distant radio station broadcasting from somewhere down south, late at night.  The kind of blues where you wake up early in the morning and all you can think of is your lover and you wonder where they've gone.  The kind of blues that makes you want to go somewhere and dance or shout or just be alive.  Those kinds of blues. 

Bret Littlehales “Big Boy Little” has been singing and playing blues harp in the Washington, DC area since 1967.  He’s opened for such blues greats as B.B. King, Koko Taylor and Junior Wells.  The Big Boy Little Band was honored to represent the DC Blues Society at the Int’l Blues Challenge in 2010 and placed in the Top 10 Finals out of 110 blues bands from around the world and Matt Kelley won the coveted Albert King Award for top guitarist.  The band also features "Wolf" Crescenze on bass and Joe Wells (drums).  

The enigmatic, quixotic, mysterious, always entertaining – Big Boy Little Band

2pm • $20 • Tickets on Eventbrite and at the door if still available

MARY ANN REDMOND BAND

Deren Blessman • Dan Leonard • Scott Ambush • Mary Ann Redmond

Mary Ann Redmond is a singer/ songwriter who’ll be playing with  maestros..

Drummer Deren Blessman, guitarist and arranger Dan Leonard, and Scott Ambush on bass! Come for an afternoon of originals and some special covers. Y’all Come!  

Live @Hank Dietle’s Tavern

6pm • $10 Cover

KING TEDDY

Mike Sottong • Dan Rivizzigno • Moe Nelson • John Rowny • Henry Jessup

Swing, Jump Blues & Rockabilly 

King Teddy is a fun, dancer-friendly outfit featuring strong vocals, a driving beat and a song list that dares the foot not to tap.  Although their influences are varied (including everyone from Louis Prima to Sam Cooke to Gene Vincent to Brian Setzer to the Beatles), they have a single-minded musical mission-- to swing, baby! 

7:00pm • NO COVER! • Happy Hour 4-8

Wolf's Every Monday Blues Show & Sit-In Jam

Great way to hear local blues talent, and you never know who's going to show up. Sometimes out-of-towners and touring musicians. 

Even prominent national acts have stopped by to jam including Guitar Shorty, Bill Kirchen, Eugene Hideaway Bridges, Jimmy Carpenter, Memphis Gold, Bruce Ewan, Bobby Radcliff, Pierre Beauregard, Johnny Sansome, Johnny Vidacovich and Grammy Nominees Tab Benoit and Steve Riley! 

Show Set: Wolf's Blues Shows & Sit-in Jams start the night with the Host band playing an opening show set. The host band features a weekly rotational lineup of some of DC's top blues frontmen such as:

Linwood Taylor--International touring artist (guitar & vocals), 

Matt Kelley--Albert King Award winner (guitar & vocals), and 

Backed up by:  Andy Hamburger (drums) and Wolf Crescenze (bass). 

Occasionally, other special guests will join the band!  

Sit-in Jam Sets

The sit-in jam portion of the evening begins at the conclusion of the show set.  Throughout the rest of the night, musicians who have signed up will be invited to come up 1 or 2 at a time to sit in and jam with the band.

5:30pm - Happy Hour prices! • NO COVER!

Dan Hovey

The former Nighthawks guitarist plays finger-style in the tradition of Takoma Park legend John Fahey.

Live @Hank Dietle’s Tavern

Dan’s YouTube Channel

8:00pm • $10 - $20 Recommended Donation

Swing 5

Swing 5 will transport you back to France in the 1930s. Begin with the heartbeat of a slap bass and the pulse of two rhythm guitars. Add to it melodic runs sweetly played on the accordion and a soaring fiddle. What you get is the Swing 5 band playing jazz and swing music from a time when a night out meant live music that provokes the uncontrollable urge to dance! Lead by talented local guitarist James Key and influenced by the legendary Django Reinhardt, this is a show you won't want to miss!

Live @Hank Dietle’s Tavern

5:30 • No Cover • Happy Hour 4-8

Bill Baker Band

Local boy Bill Baker has become a familiar name in the Washington DC music scene. His award winning and critically acclaimed songs and voice have made their way  across the States and onto main stage venues at Kerrville Folk Festival, Merlefest, Kennedy center, Strathmore arts center and  Barns at Wolftrap as well as performances in Europe.

Playing with Bill are Scott Giambusso on bass, Derek Brock on guitar, and the very beautiful Steve Bloom on percussion.

8:00pm • $10 Cover

Rick Whitehead Jazz Trio

Rick Whitehead • John Previti • Nick Ruggieri

Rick Whitehead Trio Performing as a trio shortly after the untimely death of Danny Gatton, they immediately discovered their musical compatibility and have produced a tight and cohesive musical unit, resulting in stunning performances. The trio presented a concert in July 2004 at the Washington National Cathedral as part of the Cathedral’s Summer Music Festival. Some of the venues where they have appeared are Blues Alley, Bohemian Caverns, the Smithsonian’s Jazz Club, the IOTA Club, the John F. Kennedy Center’s Millennium Stage and, appear on a regular basis at the 219 Restaurant in Alexandria, Virginia.

Rick Whitehead - Guitar

Led by master jazz guitarist, Rick Whitehead, the other members of the trio are bassist John Previti and drummer Nick Ruggieri. This highly acclaimed trio has been performing together since 1994. Their first CD, Live in Captivity, won the Washington Area Music Association WAMMIE Award in 1998 for best Contemporary Album. Their second CD, Live in Captivity, Again was released in 2001. In 2004, 2006 and 2007 they were nominated by WAMA as Best Jazz Ensemble. The trio’s third recording So There We Were … was released in July 2006.

John Previti - Bass

has the distinction of receiving the Washington Area Musicians Award in 2002 for best musician in the Metro area. From Southern Maryland, Previti was a long-time member of the Danny Gatton Band. Considered the guitarist’s bass player, he has performed with Charlie Byrd, Herb Ellis and Les Paul, and with the great trumpeter, Doc Cheatham. Previti has also recorded with Herb Ellis and Paul Simon. He fronts his own quartet and recently released a new CD, Swinging Lullabyes for My Rosetta, which received rave reviews.

Nick Ruggieri - Drums

Nick attended Berklee School of Music in Boston, MA, majoring in Percussion Performance. While in Boston, he studied with Fred Budha, Chief Percussionist with the Boston Philharmonic as well as Alan Dawson, the famous Jazz Drummer/Instructor. While attending Berklee, Nick studied with Joe Hunt, the Latin/Jazz drummer with Stan Getz and Antonio Carlos Jobim, as well as Bob Gulotti, with the the Avant-Garde Jazz Band, The Fringe. Nick recorded and traveled extensively with the Reggae /Ska band, Pacific Orchestra, both on Ras Records and DB Records. Upon returning to the DC area, Nick performed with Mama Jama, a Soca/Calypso and Afro-Pop band from Annapolis MD. He has since played with many area groups in all genres and styles, continuing performance and teaching full time.

Live @Hank Dietle’s Tavern

8:00pm

Gina DeSimone and the Moaners

Swing, Rock 'n' Roll, Blues, R&B with a Twist …

Gina DeSimone & The Moaners are a DC-based blues and swing foursome that are sure to liven up any event with an eclectic mix of music from all eras! Since 2007, The Moaners have made their mark on the D.C. music scene with unrelentingly danceable tunes and fun-loving humor. The group's musically diverse backgrounds come together to deliver a night of enthusiastic fun, foot tappin' rhythm, and killer harmonies

Video

9:00pm • $25 • Tickets on Eventbrite and at the door if still available

Billy Price Band

Billy Price first attracted national attention during his three-year association with guitarist Roy Buchanan. Price is the vocalist on two of Buchanan's LPs, That's What I'm Here For and Live Stock. Since then, with the Keystone Rhythm Band, the Billy Price Band, and solo projects, Billy Price has recorded and released a total of 20 albums, CDs, and DVDs.

Price’s album This Time for Real, with the late Chicago soul singer Otis Clay, received a 2016 Blues Music Award in the category of best soul blues album. He was nominated seven times for BMAs between 2019 and 2024 and won the 2024 Bluebird Reviews Lifetime Career Award in the U.K.

The Billy Price Band, based in Billy’s hometown of Pittsburgh, Pa., consists of Dave Dodd (drums), Tom Valentine (bass), Lenny Smith (guitar), Jim Britton (keyboards), Eric Spaulding (sax), and Joe Herndon (trumpet).

His latest recording is Person of Interest, on the Little Village label.

Live @Hank Dietle’s Tavern

5:30 Doors • 6:00 Show • $25 • Tickets on Eventbrite and at the door if still available

Peter Holsapple

Peter Holsapple has recorded an extraordinary new solo album he’s calling The Face of 68.

It reflects on age, humor and hurt, with his usual high-quality wordplay and legendary gifts for melody and harmony. For longtime fans and newcomers alike, Peter’s record is an enduring testament to his striking abilities as musician and songwriter (The dB’s, Continental Drifters, Holsapple & Stamey).

“I’d like to think” says Peter, “that, were my parents still alive, they’d say I’d finally realized my potential.”

Don Dixon (R.E.M., Smithereens) produced it in Peter’s hometown of Durham NC, and the rhythm section was Rob Ladd (Connells, Don Henley) on drums and Robert Sledge (Ben Folds Five) on electric bass. Grammy®-nominated engineer Jason Richmond was at the console for the four-day session, with Dixon mixing at his home studio in Canton, Ohio. And there are guest turns from Marti Jones and Mark Simonsen.

Mostly it’s about Peter Holsapple: eleven stunning songs with strong vocals and a newly-rediscovered love of lead guitar; overall, it’s a fine way to see Peter’s way to his future in rock and roll, love and recognizing inevitable loss over time. He’s ready for it all. With songs like “Larger Than Life,” “High High Horse” and the title track “The Face of 68” the new album is a start-to-finish home run.

The Face of 68 is Peter Holsapple, facing forward with electric guitar in hand, and gazing enthusiastically at what’s to come.

The Face of 68 reflects on age, humor and hurt, with Peter’s usual high-quality wordplay and legendary gifts for melody and harmony. For fans and newcomers, his record is an enduring testament to his striking abilities as musician and songwriter (The dB’s, Continental Drifters, Holsapple & Stamey).

7:00pm • NO COVER! • Happy Hour 4-8

Wolf's Every Monday Blues Show & Sit-In Jam

Great way to hear local blues talent, and you never know who's going to show up. Sometimes out-of-towners and touring musicians. 

Even prominent national acts have stopped by to jam including Guitar Shorty, Bill Kirchen, Eugene Hideaway Bridges, Jimmy Carpenter, Memphis Gold, Bruce Ewan, Bobby Radcliff, Pierre Beauregard, Johnny Sansome, Johnny Vidacovich and Grammy Nominees Tab Benoit and Steve Riley! 

Show Set: Wolf's Blues Shows & Sit-in Jams start the night with the Host band playing an opening show set. The host band features a weekly rotational lineup of some of DC's top blues frontmen such as:

Linwood Taylor--International touring artist (guitar & vocals), 

Matt Kelley--Albert King Award winner (guitar & vocals), and 

Backed up by:  Andy Hamburger (drums) and Wolf Crescenze (bass). 

Occasionally, other special guests will join the band!  

Sit-in Jam Sets

The sit-in jam portion of the evening begins at the conclusion of the show set.  Throughout the rest of the night, musicians who have signed up will be invited to come up 1 or 2 at a time to sit in and jam with the band.

5:30pm • No Cover • Happy Hour prices!

Dan Hovey

5:30pm - Happy Hour prices! • NO COVER!

The former Nighthawks guitarist plays fingerstyle in the tradition of Takoma Park legend John Fahey.

Live @Hank Dietle’s Tavern

Dan’s YouTube Channel

8:00pm • $10-$20 suggested donation

THE BROTHER BILL QUINTET

Dan Gutwein • Nick Ruggieri • Hart Pettit • Alec Petkoff • Tam Sullivan

CLASSIC 50’s and 60’s BLUE NOTE JAZZ

• Dan Gutwein - Saxophone

• Nick Ruggieri - Drums

• Hart Pettit - Trumpet

• Alec Petkoff - Bass

• Tam Sullivan - Keyboard

Video - Blueslike

Live @Hank Dietle’s Tavern

9:00pm • $15 • Tickets on Eventbrite and at the door if still available

THE THRILLS • JOHNNY SPAMPINATO

This millennium's version of chocolate and peanut butter!

The DMV's premier rockin' swing band, The Thrills “Spine Tingling Rock n’ Roll" fills dance floors throughout the area. Cape Cod and native New Yorker Johnny Spampinato is flying in , bringing his infectious original songs, incendiary guitar playing, impassioned vocals and a command of the stage that reflects decades of experience. 

Johnny is a human firework of a performer. His playing with brother Joey in NRBQ and The Spampinato Brothers, in the legendary Incredible Casuals, and in his current group The Value Leaders, has given him a rarely seen mastery of rock n' roll. He has toured extensively in the US, Europe, and Japan. He and NRBQ were even featured in a Simpsons episode!

The Thrills are led by uber-talented singer-songwriter Dave Kitchen's sweet and powerful vocals along with his potent guitar work. Andy Rutherford adds his fiery, sometimes humorous guitar chops to the mix. Brian Alpert (drums) and John Combs (bass) are the swinginest rhythm section around and are the engine that drives and swings the band and dancers. Put 'em together and you've got a band that turns heads and fills the dance floor. 

The Thrills band members are multi WAMMIE award winners who have played with a who's who of DMV bands (Danny Gatton, The Thrillbillys, Ruthie and the Wranglers, Evan Johns and the H-Bombs, Tex Rubinowitz, just to name a few!) 

9pm • $20 Tickets on Eventbrite and at the door if still available

Sarah Borges • Eric Ambel

One way or another, Sarah Borges connects with casual mastery. Whether it’s with the comrades she’s collaborated with over nearly 20 sparkling years of music-making, or the vivid portraits of people’s lives – and occasionally her own – she’s sketched in scores of emotionally resonant songs.  But most of all, Borges has built a loyal following by connecting, through her own charismatic, down-to-earth spirit, with her audience – whether they’re longtime fans from back when she broke through with her terrific “Silver City” debut in 2004, or newcomers just now joining the party.

Live at Hank Dietle’s Tavern

Doors 5pm - show 6pm • $30 • Tickets on Eventbrite and at the door if still available

Big Sandy & The Fly-Rite Boys

Since forming in 1988 in Southern California, Big Sandy and His Fly-Rite Boys have become one of the world’s most beloved Americana/Roots acts, drawing from the deep musical waters that flow just beneath the surface of Rock & Roll’s fertile soil. A childhood passion for Country, Doo-Wop, and Rhythm & Blues 45s led Sandy (born Robert Williams) to pursue a singing career as a teenager, beginning a life in music that continues decades later. And as his personal record collection continues to grow (75,000 and counting), so does the depth of the musical influences that stream through his songwriting and singing style. A critically acclaimed tribute to Tex-Mex hero Freddy Fender, released at the beginning of the 2020 lockdown, points the way forward for Big Sandy and his Fly-Rite Boys as they continue on a path of musical growth. After nearly 35 years on the road, and more than two dozen releases to their credit, they remain key figures on the ever-changing Americana circuit, both on record and in live appearances.

6pm Doors • 6:30 Show • $25 all seated • Tickets on Eventbrite and at the door if still available

Peter Case

“I try to take things I love and use them in a new way,” said triple Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter Peter Case of his 16th solo album Doctor Moan. Case brings his considerable songwriting ability to an 11-song collection, largely performed on piano, including his first solo recorded instrumental. Released by Sunset Blvd Records, Case’s piano-based songs are emotionally, sonically and stylistically rich.

As a founding member of the early punk era trio The Nerves, in 1977 Case toured the nation sharing bills with the Ramones, Mink DeVille, Pere Ubu, and Devo. The Nerves single “Hanging on the Telephone,” was covered by Blondie. In 1979, Case formed the Plimsouls, a record-breaking live act in California, recording albums for Planet/Elektra and Geffen. Their independent single, “A Million Miles Away,” entered the Billboard charts and remains a garage rock standard, performed by bands around the world. The band performed in the cult classic film Valley Girl and the Nerves and Plimsouls timeless teenage rock ‘n’ roll continues to appeal to fans of each new generation.

After the Plimsouls, Case rediscovered his musical roots on his self-titled solo debut, produced by T Bone Burnett. The New York Times declared Peter Case the best album of 1986. It earned a five-star Rolling Stone review and a Grammy nomination. As one of the first songwriters of his generation to turn from rock music toward an acoustic sound, Case also helped usher in what became known as Americana music.