Blues Singer Tommy Castro performs at Anthology this Saturday

For those who claim that soulful rhythm and blues music is isolated in the South, they’ve obviously never heard Tommy Castro sing.  Luckily for San Diegans, the California native is making his San Diego debut at Anthology in Little Italy this Saturday night at 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.

Winner of the 2010 Blues Music Award for Entertainer of the Year, Castro, 56, started playing guitar at the age of 10.  Inspired by blues legends like Eric Clapton and B.B. King, Castro quickly gained recognition as he toured with his band around the Bay Area in the 70s.  His music can be described as a combination of blues, soul, and rock and roll.

Today, Castro is a decorated musician, winning multiple honors for his accomplishments -among them Blues Male Artist of the Year (2010), Contemporary Blues Album of the Year (2010), B.B. King Entertainer of the Year (2008 and 2010), and Band of the Year (2010).

In over thirty years as a musician, Castro has performed in front of millions of people all across the world.  One of his projects, The Tommy Castro Band, served as the house band for three seasons on NBC’s “Comedy Showcase” in the mid-90s.  Afterwards, Castro opened for B.B. King’s summer tours in 2001 and 2002.

The Chicago Sun-Times has described Castro’s music as “Memphis soul-drenched R&B…top-of-the-line blues.”  His energy and enthusiasm during his performances on stage reaffirm what fans already know to be true –Castro has a relentless passion and natural gift for what he does.  His voice, which has often been compared to Otis Redding in the 60s, is remniscent of a time long before synthesized beats and autotuned vocals –just pure honest music.

Castro’s latest album, Hard Believer (2009), is currently #2 on Billboard’s Blues Chart.  It is described as “irresistibly funky…[with] a street-level grit and a soulful sincerity that’s impossible to ignore.”  It won him Album of the Year at last year’s Blues Music Awards.

Despite all of his achievements, perhaps the most accurate reflection of Castro is in his own lyrics:

“I roll when I rock, I stroll when I walk

I talk slow when I talk, Just a little bit of soul

When I rock and roll and then the whole mystery unfolds”.

For more information about Saturday’s event or for tickets, please visit: here.