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.
Trimmin' Fat
Tommy Castro Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The guy that owns it, he′s a real good Joe
Said "Tommy you've got too many mouths to feed
Just one DeeJay, that′s all I really need"
He could hardly even look me in the face
And he said "Karaoke really packs this place"
He handed me five bucks and patted me on the back and he said
"Everybody's trimmin' fat"
I went down to the super market to get a dozen eggs
A loaf of bread, some milk, and a bag of chicken legs
Got to the counter, didn′t have that much stuff
Had a Franklin in my pocket, figured that should be enough
That lady rung me up and much to my surprise
A hundred and sixteen dollars, I couldn′t believe my eyes
Guess I'm gonna have to put sumpthin′ back
She said, "Son, everybody's trimmin′ fat"
Whooo! Oh, everybody's doin′ it. Look out
Got a call from the foreman at the place I work
Now most the time this guy's a real jerk
And he was bein' so nice, and then he said
"I hate to do this Tommy." And it hit me like a ton of lead
"They do your job in China for ten bucks a day
Better come on down and get your last week′s pay"
Now I didn′t lose my job, but I know where it's at
But, uh, everybody′s trimmin' fat
Whooo! Oh, man, that hurt my feelin′s
(Spoken)
Come down and get my last weeks pay? Oh man
What about my Four-O-one-K?
How about that boss man? We could give him a little less money
Then that'd make a nice big job for me
That′s right How much is gas gonna be this week?
The song Trimmin' Fat by Tommy Castro highlights the harsh reality of today's economy and how everyone is trying to cut down their expenses to make ends meet. The song consists of three different incidents, where the singer is affected by the cost-cutting measures adopted by others. In the first verse, the singer goes to book his band to play at a club, but the club owner tells him that he has too many mouths to feed and all he really needs is just one DJ. The owner then goes on to tell him that Karaoke really packs the place.
In the second verse, the singer goes to the supermarket to buy some groceries, but he is shocked to see the bill amounting to $116 for just a few items. The cashier tells him that everyone is cutting down on expenses, and he might have to put something back.
Finally, the third verse tells the story of the singer's boss informing him that his job might be in danger since the company can get his job done in China for much cheaper. The song ends with the singer expressing his frustration with the situation at hand.
In summary, the song provides an accurate account of how everyone is "trimmin' fat" to make ends meet and how cost-cutting measures are taking a toll on people's lives.
Line by Line Meaning
Tried to book my band at this club I know
Attempted to schedule a gig at a familiar venue
The guy that owns it, he′s a real good Joe
The owner is generally a kind individual
Said "Tommy you've got too many mouths to feed
Stated that there were too many band members requiring payment
Just one DeeJay, that′s all I really need"
Requested only one disc jockey for the event
He could hardly even look me in the face
The owner avoided making eye contact
And he said "Karaoke really packs this place"
Indicated that karaoke events are more popular
He handed me five bucks and patted me on the back and he said
Provided a small monetary compensation and a token gesture of comfort
"Everybody's trimmin' fat"
Explained that everyone is trying to cut costs
Whooo! That was cold-blooded
Expressed shock and disapproval
I went down to the super market to get a dozen eggs
Visited the grocery store to purchase basic food supplies
A loaf of bread, some milk, and a bag of chicken legs
Acquired bread, milk, and chicken for a meal
Got to the counter, didn′t have that much stuff
Only had a few items to checkout
Had a Franklin in my pocket, figured that should be enough
Expected to have sufficient money for the purchase
That lady rung me up and much to my surprise
The cashier totaled the order amount
A hundred and sixteen dollars, I couldn′t believe my eyes
The final cost was much higher than anticipated
Guess I'm gonna have to put sumpthin′ back
Decided to return some items to reduce the spending
She said, "Son, everybody's trimmin′ fat"
The cashier noted that people are economizing
Whooo! Oh, everybody's doin′ it. Look out
Reacted with surprise and concern
Got a call from the foreman at the place I work
Received a phone call from the supervisor at the job site
Now most the time this guy's a real jerk
The supervisor is unpleasant to work under
And he was bein' so nice, and then he said
The supervisor started speaking kindly
"I hate to do this Tommy." And it hit me like a ton of lead
The supervisor regretfully delivered bad news
"They do your job in China for ten bucks a day
Explained that work is being done overseas for far less pay
Better come on down and get your last week′s pay"
Advised to pick up final paycheck
Now I didn′t lose my job, but I know where it's at
Although still employed, the job security is uncertain
But, uh, everybody′s trimmin' fat
Emphasized that cost-cutting is prevalent
Whooo! Oh, man, that hurt my feelin′s
Showed a vulnerable, emotional side
Writer(s): Tommy Castro, Mike Schermer
Contributed by Sarah O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.