TOMMY CASTRO (1955/San Jose, CA – ) and his music sit squarely at the centr… Read Full Bio ↴TOMMY CASTRO (1955/San Jose, CA – ) and his music sit squarely at the centre of an evolving tradition of rock and blues. Castro, winner of the 2008 Blues Music Award for Entertainer Of The Year, is famed not only for his hard-hitting, impassioned vocals, soaring guitar work and his blues-infused, rocking R&B sound, but also for his striking, original songwriting and exhilarating stage show. According to The San Francisco Chronicle, “Castro navigates seriously funky Southern soul, gritty big city blues and scorching rock…his silvery guitar licks simultaneously sound familiar and fresh.”
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.
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.
The Trouble With Soul
Tommy Castro Lyrics
We have lyrics for these tracks by Tommy Castro:
44 Howlin' Wolf I wore my .44 so long, made my shoulder…
A Good Fool Is Hard To Find My baby come home last night, she looked at me…
Ain't No Fun To Me Standing by the highway Just waiting in the rain Standing by…
Anytime Soon I know that a time will come I won’t have…
Bad Case of Love I got a bad case of love I got a bad…
Big Sister's Radio It was hangin′ in the corner like a candy ball…
Bring It On Back If I can make it back to Memphis one more…
Callin' San Francisco Well, I'm callin' San Francisco Got to get my baby…
Calling San Francisco Well, I'm callin' San Francisco Got to get my baby…
Can't Quit The Blues I just can't get used to it, babe I just can't…
Can't You See What You're Doing To Me Hey baby, oh girl can't you see What you've been…
Chairman Of The Board I'm the chairman (Chairman of the board) I'm the chairman ba…
Definition of Insanity Definition of Insanity performed by Tommy Castro I tried to…
Don't Turn Your Heater Down Getting kind cold around here Yea I′m tellin you baby Winter…
Enough Is Enough Tell me baby what's a man to do When he's in…
Everybodys Want to Go to Heaven Everybody want to laugh Nobody wants to cry Everybody want t…
Goin I’m goin' down south where I don’t have to hurry I…
Gotta Serve Somebody You may be an ambassador to England or France You might…
Had Enough Got to work seven days a week And if I don’t,…
How Long Must I Cry How long must I cry About the way the world is…
I Feel That Old Feeling Coming On I, I ,I feel, I feel that old feelin' coming…
I Found a Love I've got to love somebody's baby Somebody, somebody, somebod…
I Got Burned Don't like what I've been getting Keep on doin' the same…
I Roll When I Rock People runnin' faster headed for disaster Like a fast train…
I Take What I Want I take what I want, I'm a bad go-getter, yeah,…
I Want To Show You Said those words a thousand times But they don't work like…
I'm Not Broken I may be down but don't count me out Count me…
I'Ve Got To Love Somebody's Baby I've got to love somebody's baby Somebody, somebody, somebod…
If I Had A Nickel I been out walkin' Doing some thinkin' And you know baby a…
It She can't help it, the girl can't help it She can't…
It Is What It Is It Is What It Is performed by Tommy Castro I′ve been…
It Serves You Right to Suffer Serve me right to suffer Serve me right to be alone Serve…
It's That Time Again Let me sleep even just for tonight ′Cause I can't keep…
Just A Man I'm just a man, I ain't no superman Just a man,…
Just Like Me V1 From hell and back to Hollywood, chasing down a dream. …
Kickin' In Now when I got no more to give And this ol'…
Leave This Town I'm goin' to leave this town I won't be back no…
Like An Angel When I was a young man Not so long ago I…
Love Don't Care You know just what you're gettin' into Somethin' so much bi…
Love Is Love is The only reason Sometimes I got for keepin′ on Love…
Lovey Dovey I said you're the cutest thing that I've ever seen I…
Lucky In Love Lady luck she never looks my way Turns her back when…
Make It Back to Memphis If I can make it back to Memphis one more…
My Babe I'm talkin' 'bout my baby, not your baby Say my babe,…
My Kind Of Woman I give u money everday.!!!! But now you walkin away like…
My Old Neighborhood The air was cold As I ride my bike to school…
My Time After A While It's your time right now baby Yea, I think it's going…
Nasty Habits Everything I do everything I do is bad for me Everything…
Ninety-Nine and One Half Ninety-Nine And A Half performed by Tommy Castro I got to…
Painkiller Started with a pain in my heart That compromised my sanity I…
Right As Rain Right as rain Right as rain Baby our love Is right as rain …
Rip This Joint Mama says yes, Papa says no, Make up you mind…
Sex Machine Fellas, I want to get up and do my thing It…
Sho' Enough Tell me baby what's a man to do When he's in…
Somebody to Love You I've got to love somebody's baby Somebody, somebody, somebo…
Soul Shake Dancing with you baby really turns the soul shake on Groovin…
Take The Highway Down You better watch what you're doin' baby You better watch yo…
The Girl Can't Help It She can't help it, the girl can't help it She can't…
This Soul Is Mine I take a lot of chances but I never cross…
Trimmin' Fat Tried to book my band at this club I know The…
Tulane Tulane and Johnny opened a novelty shop Back under the count…
When Me Left Eye Jumps When my left eye gets to jumpin' People I don't know…
You Gotta Do What You Gotta Do One man's pleasure is another man's pain One man's loss, an…
You Knew The Job Was Dangerous You Knew The Job Was Dangerous I told you when I…
You Only Go Around Once In this life You've got choices to make Some will be…
The lyrics are frequently found in the comments by searching or by filtering for lyric videos
More Genres
No Artists Found
More Artists
Load All
No Albums Found
More Albums
Load All
No Tracks Found
Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Search results not found
Song not found