FAN LETTERS - STREET TEAM SPEAKS
 
 
 
 SIGN UP TO BE A STREET TEAMER!
 
 
 
Charles Hay from Sturgis, SD gets Street
Teamer treatment from a grateful Tommy!
  Street Teamers Larry & Elaine Thomas
hanging with Tommy
 
"HEY! THANKS TO ALL THE GREAT TCB STREET TEAMERS!" -- Tommy
 

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.

 

 

 Tommy Castro Band