| Kimberly
D.
Thank you for giving me the opportunity to
be a part of the street team. I had such a
great time. My husband, my neighbor and I
got to watch the show from about 3 feet off
the side of the stage. It was thrilling. It
was definitely an experience which we will
never forget. After Tommy and the boys finished
the show, Tommy walked off the stage and asked
me "How you doin?" I don't know
how I responded. I was in awe. What an experience!
I got to chat with Tommy briefly before the
concert and then after he was finished signing
autographs for all the fans he took us on
his bus (since there was no back stage there)
and we sat down to talk with Tommy for a while.
He was so generous with his time. He thanked
us for being part of the Street Team and told
us how much they rely on the information the
Street Teamers gather. We talked about the
CD availability in the area and how stores
don't really stock much of the blues in this
area. It was like sitting down and talking
with an old friend. He made us feel right
at home. We feel very fortunate to have been
a part of that experience. We took a couple
pictures with Tommy and had him sign a couple
photos you had sent in the package and it's
now hanging on my wall. What a terrific night.
Thanks again for opportunity. We were truly
blessed that evening. I'll shoot a picture
off to you soon. Thanks again Dani.
Barbara
Claire:
Still Rockin From Last Night!
It's a very cold Friday morning here in New
England, but man, I'm still catching my breath.
Saw our boys in Hartford last night at Black
Eyed Sally's. As usual, a jumping, howling
show. I met fellow street teamers Larry and
Mark - we were all very conspicuous to one
another in our matching t-shirts! Tommy made
a point of chatting with each of the us, and
then very graciously acknowledged us to the
crowd.
Isn't it great to know we have this wonderful
network? Mark was taking lots of photos, so
I hope he'll post some here for us.
I was there with nine friends and co-workers,
only three of whom had seen TCB before. The
rest are now converts, of course. When Tommy
stopped by my table, he stayed for close to
ten minutes making small talk with me and
my friends. He talked a bit about the Sandy
Beaches cruise and how it was a little rough
for a couple of days. Since my husband, two
others who were there, and I went on the LRB
Cruise last year and are going again in 14
days, 21 hours and 16 minutes, we also talked
about that week-long party.
Tommy told us that when they left Florida
a few days ago, they flew to NYC where they
were supposed to meet their bus for this little
East Coast tour, but the bus broke down in
Lebanon, Tennessee and is still there. Apparently,
there is a shortage of tour bus mechanics
in Lebanon, TN. (Could this be the basis for
a song?) Anyway,on Wednesday, they played
with borrowed equipment in Massachusetts.
Last night, they borrowed equipment from local
band Mamma Jamma ... They had no albums or
t-shirts, none of their stuff. They are driving
around frigid New England packed in an SUV!
Tommy also told my friends how great all us
Street Teamers are. He said his record company
is thrilled with the info we send back about
what TCB albums the record stores have in
stock, because when they try to do it over
the phone, they don't always get the straight
skinny from whoever answers the phone. Anyway,
he said our dedication may help him land his
next record contract.
Tommy
gave me a big hug and kiss and said told my
friends it was nice chatting. Believe me,
they were impressed with my connections! After
the show was over, Tommy saw us get up to
leave and he made a point of saying goodbye
and thanks for coming to the show. Is this
guy the best, or what?
Jason
Stallings in North Carolina:
The show here in Durham, NC was great Saturday
night. I got two backstage passes from Randy
waiting for me at the door! I went backstage
and spoke to Tommy and Randy before the show.
What a great couple of guys, very down-to-earth.
We talked about the fact that Tommy didn't
make it to NC very often (only the 2nd time,
and I've seen both!). We also talked about
tastes in music, and the fact neither of us
cared for Jeff Beck, who was also in town
for a show the following night with B.B. King.
We also discussed his problems with record
store distribution, which I'll mention later.
The
band put on a great show in front of a large
crowd that I'd estimate at around 5,000. They
started off with "Lucky in Love",
played a lot of songs from "Gratitude",
and finished with a song off of Randy's new
CD. They won a lot of new fans that night.
I witnessed several people at the merchandise
stand purchasing the entire catalog of CDs,
including Randy's and the new Triple Trouble.
We
went back after the show and talked to the
group again in their trailer and had a beer
with them. Well, Tommy had a Red Bull for
energy, and Keith and I had a Heineken, while
my wife took the iced tea option! I spoke
with Tommy about trying to get back to NC
soon, and he said he'd like to get some opportunities
to play around here, possibly with Robert
Cray. I also spoke to Scott about his experience
so far with the band, and got to meet Randy's
aunt and uncle who were there for the show.
I'd
like to thank you for arranging everything
and getting the materials out to me. The band
was really appreciative of my efforts, and
all thanked me for contributing for the Street
Team. It was really an unforgettable night,
and I hope they can make it back soon.
Tommy
and I spoke about the distribution of his
CDs around here, and I promised I'd get back
with him regarding which stores are stocking
all the recent CDs. Should I send that response
back to you, or do you have another e-mail
address I could use to send directly to Tommy?
Also, I'd like to get back to him on some
possible venues for a return show to the area,
but I want to do a little homework on suitable
locations for Tommy or a double-bill with
Cray as he mentioned. Let me know the proper
channel to communicate all that info.
Sorry
for being long-winded, but there's a lot to
say. Once again, thank you for sending out
the materials and the T-shirt. It was a great
night, and I thank you for giving me the opportunity
to help out the band. Thanks again. |
|
Brian
in Idaho:
The show was the best show I have ever been
to! I have been to quite a few but those boys
rocked the house!
My friends I took with me are now full fledged
Tommy Fans. Tommy and the rest of the band
were just great. They signed everything and
played every request that the audience asked
for. Thanks
again for thinking of me and letting me get
involved. I told the band we will have to
find them a place here in Pocatello. And when
my wife opens up her restaurant (she's a chef)
we will have to have a stage and have the
group do our grand opening.
Matt
Shina:
After the warmup bands had played, Tommy went
on and I had met this record producer who
took me backstage and I got to see the last
four songs from a primo spot. Once the show
was over I introduced myself to Tommy and
told him I had done the Street Team work for
the show. He thanked me and introduced me
to the rest of the guys and even hooked me
up with a beverage. He knew exactly who I
was via you and even recalled I had gone up
to the venue earlier to scout it out. He said
Dani tells me everything! Thanks so much.
A little while later I asked Tommy about a
riff in 'Nasty Habits' and he said "I'll
show you". We went backstage again and
he unpacked his guitar and sat down and played
it through, then said "here, work on
that for awhile".
Can I tell you I almost fell over, I mean
here is a BIG NAME entertainer showing Little
ol' me his signature licks! To an aspiring
guitarist, it was like meeting the Pope. Certainly
something I will NEVER forget. Ultimately,
I got a baseball hat as the T-shirts were
held up in Canada according to his brother
Ray. He also signed some posters and stuff,
but the private lesson will be the most huge
inspiration in my fledgling music career.
Thanks again Dani. I hate to sound like a
groupie, but it was the coolest night I've
had in a long time. If you need help on future
dates in Maryland or Northern Virginia, don't
call or email anyone else!
Sandy
Stearns:
Hi there! [Dani] I'm hoping that you will
get this to Tommy... I want to thank him for
giving all of us super memories of the fest
and of the chance to meet him and talk to
him... my two little grand-daughters were
so tickled... the four year old [Angela] kept
saying all the way to the car... oh my gosh
Grandma! I can't believe that I just kissed
Tommy Castro... Tommy asked her for a kiss
on the cheek and then he autographed her shirt
and Carly's also... [and Grandma's also]....
the girls [just like Dave and myself] have
grown to love the blues. Carly had asked Tommy
if she could e-mail him and he told her Yes!
and that he would write her back [although
it might be a while] because of travelling
so much...The girls want me to send him a
picture of them, so that'll be with my next
e-mail... it was a special time for all of
us... and one that I too will always remember
and cherish... Thank you so much.
Bill
Brazill in Syracuse, NY:
I can't thank you enough. I can't wait for
the show! It's been about three years since
Tommy played up here. My wife can't believe
that we are Tommy's guest. Next week is our
22nd wedding anniversary, so this is great!
It was fun going around town promoting Tommy.
I missed my calling. I should be in the promotion
business. Thanks again!
Bill
Ridderbush in Wisconsin:
Got my T-shirt and had Tommy sign that and
the pictures you sent me in the kit. They
were really cool about me being from the 'Street
Team'. I will also be traveling to Wausau
Wi. to see Tommy in August at the "Big
Bull Falls Blues Fest". I'm looking forward
to that, and if there is anything I can do
to help, Please let me know! Thanks for everything!
Joy
Vogel in Redding, CA:
The Blues Monday concert @ Win-River was excellent!
Norton Buffalo was at his best. Tommy Castro
was his personable, talkative and his vibrantly,
soulful self, and we were burning a hole in
our seats and READY to dance by the time the
TCB band came out. That was awesome when Randy
did his rap number and Keith switched to the
flute ... beautiful. I love the wind instruments.
My guest, couldn't go at the last minute,
so the next two people I asked had to work
... so I took my brother ... Who now is a
TCB fan, and said to tell you ... Got there
early, were seated, got a T-shirt with voucher.
... I [got] Tommy's attention when I had him
sign his photo and I told him I was the street
team member that you had contacted. He did
look at my face and gave me a little hand
shake, and thanked me. My, my, (sigh) ...
he certainly is a fresh, handsome guy! He
grimaces while playin on the stage, but he
really doesn't look rough at all. I Love him
!
Robin
Pace in Fair Grove, MO:
Thanks again for everything. It has been my
pleasure to assist TCB and hope to help more
in the future. Doing pics on putting up posters
on Sunday March 30th will be sending them
soon to you. Dr Bob, Blues show host for the
Springfield area, and the gang at Nathan P.
Murphy's Blues Club, sends their hello's.
TCB has played there in the past and they,
as well as all the Blues fans here in Springfield,
would love to see him play Murphy's again. |