In a relatively short time period, guitarist, vocalist, and songwriter, Tommy Castro has gone from playing local venues to international fame. For at least two years, he has even been a part of the B.B. King Festival Tour, which this year played thirty-nine different domestic venues. He has also been the house band on NBC-TV’s Comedy Showcase, for three seasons. Working as the house band on NBC’s Comedy Showcase, airing after Saturday Night Live, only boosted his visibility and name value. Castro’s music has also been featured in network television programs such as “Nash Bridges” and “The Young and the Restless.” He has won regional awards and has been featured on the cover of a national blues magazine, “Blues Revue.”
Born and raised in San Jose, CA, Castro started playing guitar at the tender age of ten. Initially inspired by Mike Bloomfield, Eric Clapton, and Elvin Bishop, he started the inevitable journey into the roots of his heroes and discovered and quickly became enamored of B.B. King, Buddy Guy, Elmore James, Muddy Waters, and Freddie King. His vocal styling came from constant listening to Ray Charles, Wilson Pickett, James Brown, and Otis Redding.
Castro spent many years playing with bands in the San Francisco Bay Area. Castro joined Warner Brothers artists The Dynatones in the late 1980s. The much-loved rocking soul band had a huge fan base and toured the U.S. constantly. He honed his chops with the band on the road for two years, performing live all across the country and backing major artists like Carla Thomas and Albert King.
Returning to San Francisco, he formed the Tommy Castro Band in 1991, which was named Club Band Of The Year for the Bay Area in 1993, and again in 1994. Regular band members have included Randy MacDonald (bass/vocals), Keith Crossan (saxophone/vocals), Billy Lee Lewis (drums/vocals), and Chris Sandoval (drums/percussion).
In 1997, he won Bammies for Outstanding Blues Musician and for Outstanding Blues Album for his debut release on Blind Pig Records, Exception to the Rule. The band continued to record with Blind Pig over several albums. Can’t Keep A Good Man Down received continuous airplay and regular fan requests on well over 400 radio stations nationwide.
Live at the Fillmore was released in early 2000, and with everyone from industry insiders to B.B. King singing his praises, Castro appeared to be headed for bigger and better things. Blind Pig closed the books on their association with Castro in 2002 by releasing the career retrospective The Essential Tommy Castro.
In 2001 the Tommy Castro Band moved over to 33rd Street Records for Guilty Of Love and then to Heart And Soul for 2003’s Gratitude, a cover album of Castro’s greatest heroes, followed by Triple Trouble (with Jimmy Hall and Lloyd Jones) later that same year from Telarc.
The eclectic flavour of 2005’s Soul Shaker, marking his return to Blind Pig, featured more original compositions from Castro, who wrote or co-wrote all the tracks. Although horns and guitars still dominated, the fusion was more varied. Notable tracks included the wistful “Anytime Soon” and “The Crossanova”, characterised by Crossan’s funky flute.
Tommy Castro and his brilliant band have captured a hold of legions of fans and critics alike around the world with their mesmerizing blend of rock, blues and Memphis soul. On the next release – Painkiller – they continued to explore the boundaries of American roots music.
On this CD, Castro teamed up with producer John Porter, renowned for his work with a Who’s Who list of artists such as Los Lonely Boys, Taj Mahal, Keb Mo, Santana, B.B. King, Elvis Costello, adn Buddy Guy. Said Castro, “When I started looking for a producer, I realized that John had produced some of my favorite records of the last ten years. After working with him in the studio, I understand now why that is. With John, everything just seems to be right; all the parts work and flow together.” With the Tommy Castro Band anchoring the sessions, Porter fashioned a most tasteful album from the many talented parts of Castro’s patented rock ‘n’ soul music. Special guests Coco Montoya, Angela Strehli, David Maxwell, and Teresa James join the fun.
In 2009, Alligator Records has set an August 11 street date for Hard Believer, the label debut from Tommy Castro.
Chairman Of The Board
Tommy Castro Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
(Chairman of the board)
I'm the chairman baby
(Chairman of my baby?s board)
When it come to lovin'
I'm a businessman
I wheel and deal
I'm the chairman
(Chairman of the board)
Baby, I'm the chairman, yea
(Chairman of my baby?s board)
You know that I am the chairman baby
(Chairman of the board)
Alright
I'm the man to see
I'm a love educator
Known the world over baby
A smooth operator
When my baby needs me
Anytime of the day
She's just got to call me
And I'm on my way
I'm the chairman
(Chairman of the board)
Baby I'm your chairman, now now
(Chairman of my baby?s board)
Yeah yeah, I'm the chairman baby
(Chairman of the board)
Ooh, honey you know I am your chairman
(Chairman of my baby?s board)
I take pride in the way that I please
Satisfaction baby, guaranteed
When it come to lovin' I'm there on the case
When it come to lovin' baby, I've never lost a race
I'm the chairman
(Chairman of the board)
I'm the chairman baby
(Chairman of my baby's board)
You know I'm your chairman now now
(Chairman of the board)
Baby I'm your chairman, yes I am
(Chairman of my baby's board)
Alright, well
Alright, listen
I'm the chairman
(Chairman of the board)
Chairman baby
(Chairman of my baby's board)
I'm the chairman
(Chairman of the board)
Baby I'm your chairman, yes I am
(Chairman of my baby's board)
Early in the morning
(Chairman of the board)
Late in the midnight hour
(Chairman of my baby's board)
Late in the midnight baby
(Chairman of the board)
All night long, honey you know I will
(Chairman of my baby's board)
I'll be takin' care of your business
(Chairman of the board)
I'm the chairman of the board
(Chairman of my baby's board)
All night long
(Chairman of the board)
All night, all night, all night
(Chairman of my baby's board)
The lyrics to "Chairman of the Board" by Tommy Castro talk about a man who takes pride in himself as a lover and considers himself a businessman when it comes to love. He is known as a smooth operator and a love educator, and his goal is to please his partner and guarantee satisfaction. Whenever his partner needs him, he is always available, and he is confident that he has never lost a race when it comes to love. He refers to himself as "the chairman of the board" of his relationship, suggesting that he is in control and knows how to make things work between him and his partner.
The song's lyrics represent a man who takes his role as a lover seriously, and he is willing to go above and beyond to ensure that his partner is happy. He is confident in his abilities and views himself as a successful businessman in the world of love. This song can be interpreted as an expression of masculinity, where a man takes pride in his ability to be a successful lover.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm the chairman
I hold a position of power and authority
(Chairman of the board)
(I am in charge and have ultimate control)
I'm the chairman baby
I have power and control in my relationship with my significant other
(Chairman of my baby?s board)
(I am the one leading the way in our relationship)
When it come to lovin'
When it comes to romantic relationships
I'm a businessman
I approach loving relationships with a goal-oriented mindset
I wheel and deal
I am comfortable making calculated and clever moves to achieve my goals
Whenever I can
Whenever the opportunity arises
I'm the man to see
I am the one to talk to
I'm a love educator
I am skilled at teaching others how to love and be loved
Known the world over baby
I have a reputation that spans the globe
A smooth operator
I am charming and suave
When my baby needs me
When my significant other needs my attention or assistance
Anytime of the day
Regardless of the time of day
She's just got to call me
All my significant other needs to do is contact me
And I'm on my way
And I will arrive to help or comfort
I take pride in the way that I please
I feel a sense of satisfaction in making my significant other happy
Satisfaction baby, guaranteed
I promise to provide a fulfilling experience in my romantic relationships
When it come to lovin' I'm there on the case
When it comes to romantic relationships, I am fully committed and invested
When it come to lovin' baby, I've never lost a race
In the realm of romantic relationships, I have always been successful
Early in the morning
At any time of day or night
(Chairman of the board)
(In charge and in control)
Late in the midnight hour
Late in the night
All night long
Throughout the entire night
I'll be takin' care of your business
I will provide assistance in whatever my significant other needs
All night, all night, all night
Throughout the entirety of the night
(Chairman of my baby's board)
(Taking care of and leading the way in our relationship)
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: LAMONT HERBERT DOZIER, BRIAN HOLLAND
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind