Folk musician Tom Rush is scheduled to perform in Southern California in July 2026. The 85-year-old artist will play at McCabe's Guitar Shop and the Coach House Concert Hall.
July 25 and 29: The Return to Santa Monica and San Juan Capistrano
Tom Rush is set to bring his acoustic repertoire to two historic Southern California venues in the summer of 2026. According to the report, Rush will appear at McCabe's Guitar Shop in Santa Monica on Saturday, July 25, 2026, followed by a performance at the Coach House Concert Hall in San Juan Capistrano on Wednesday, July 29, 2026.
These performances are designed as a retrospective of a career spanning over six decades. the shows will reportedly blend traditional folk standards and blues with classics from his tenure at Elektra Records and material from his most recent recordings.
How 'The Circle Game' Launched Joni Mitchell and James Taylor
While many remember the singer-songwriters of the late 1960s as solo phenomena, Tom Rush acted as a critical bridge between local circuits and global fame. As the report says, Rush's 1968 album The Circle Game served as the primary vehicle that introduced the world to Joni Mitchell, James Taylor, and Jackson Browne.
This era of the folk revival was characterized by a shift toward personal,contemporary songwriting. Tom Rush captured this transition by recording Mitchell's "The Circle Game" and "Urge for Going," as well as James Taylor's "Something In the Way She Moves." By championing these unknown artists when they were only recognized in local scenes—such as the Chess Mate club in Detroit where Rush first encountered Joni Mitchell—Tom Rush helped define the sonic architecture of the 20th-century singer-songwriter movement.
The Shift to Originality in 'Gardens Old, Flowers New'
For much of his career, Tom Rush was celebrated as a master interpreter of other people's songs. However, his 2024 album Gardens Old, Flowers New, reelased via Appleseed Records, marks a fundamental pivot in his artistic identity. The report notes that this project consists entirely of original compositions, marking the first time in his solo discography that he has relied solely on his own songwriting.
This creative resurgence at the age of 85 suggests a late-career evolution. By moving from the role of the curator to the primary creator, Tom Rush is providing a new dimension to his legacy, proving that his creative capacity has expanded even as he enters his ninth decade.
Ticket Availability and the Setlist for the 2026 Tour
Despite the announcement of these historic dates, several logistical details remain unverified. the source does not specify when tickets for the July 2026 shows at McCabe's Guitar Shop and Coach House Concert Hall will go on sale, nor does it provide pricing inofrmation.
Additionally, while the report mentions a "comprehensive journey" through his catalog, it remains unclear if Tom Rush will be performing with a full band or as a solo acoustic act. The report focuses heavily on the historical significance of the appearances but leaves the specific production details of the 2026 tour open to question.
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