TOMMY CASTRO and the Painkillers - Friday January 9, 2026

Tommy Castro and the Painkillers - Friday January 9, 2026 – Live and Onstage @ World Records “A great artist...impassioned vocals and pure inventiveness in his stellar guitar solos...He makes playing rough feel easy.” – Blues Music Magazine - Multiple award-winning, California-based blues and rock legend Tommy Castro has released 17 previous albums over the course of his career. His new album, “Closer To The Bone” is available here at World Records. With his new album, Closer To The Bone, Castro has returned to his roots, delivering what he calls “a real blues record, the way they would have made them back in the day.” Closer To The Bone is the most unvarnished, straight-ahead blues release of Castro’s career, one that bristles with every ounce of his dynamic energy and raw emotion.” On Closer To The Bone (Castro’s 8th Alligator release), Castro and his Painkillers – bassist Randy McDonald, keyboardist Mike Emerson and drummer Bowen Brown – mix new Castro originals (Ain’t Worth The Heartache, Can’t Catch A Break, Crazy Woman Blues) with songs originally performed by many of Castro’s friends and heroes. Artists and their songs include Johnny Nitro (One More Night, on which Castro plays his treasured 1966 black Fender Stratocaster, a guitar once owned by Nitro himself, Magic Slim (Hole In The Wall), Ron Thompson (Freight Train), Mike Duke (Keep Your Dog Inside) and Chris Cain (Woke Up And Smelled The Coffee. Castro additionally chose obscure songs by Wynonie Harris (Bloodshot Eyes), Eddie Taylor (Stroll Out West), Jimmy Nolen (The Way You Do) and Johnny “Guitar” Watson (She Moves Me). According to Castro, “These are not the obvious artists people generally cover, and that was most definitely on purpose.” Closer To The Bone was produced by master guitarist and studio wizard Christoffer “Kid” Andersen (producer of over 100 albums), at his now-famous Greaseland Studio in San Jose, California. Closer To The Bone finds Castro at the top of his game, bringing his seemingly limitless energy and boundless talent to the studio. Guests on the album include labelmates Andersen, Rick Estrin, Chris Cain and Billy Branch, along with saxophone player/vocalist Deanna Bogart, keyboard wizard Jim Pugh and, on three songs, the voices of The Sons Of The Soul Revivers. Tommy Castro & The Painkillers’ deceptively simple approach on Closer To The Bone delivers one thrilling performance after another. Says Castro, “Here, I’m not the contemporary guy, not the rock guy, not the soul guy. This is the deeper blues side of me. I know, with these songs, I am at my most authentic.” - Castro’s relentless road-dog approach-gig after gig, 150 nights a year-continues to earn him loyal, lifelong fans everywhere he plays. The Washington Post says Castro is “phenomenal and funky” with “soulful vocals and inspired blues guitar.” Famed guitarist Joe Bonamassa says, “Tommy has always been top of the heap among blues guitar players. He always puts on a great show.” - So happy to have Tommy Castro and the Painkillers at World Records again! This is a joy to enjoy their blues music. - Buy Your Tickets here: Wednesday – Friday 11 AM to 5 PM Saturday 10 AM to 2 PM • In Person - 2815 ‘F’ Street Bakersfield, CA • By Phone - (661) 325-1982 - The only Record Store with a Theater in the entire USA! The Theater seats up to 500 people. - - - Come to World Records: WORLD RECORDS - is an - Independent Record Store Where Music Matters Most since 1982 - LPs and CDs – World Records has a massive inventory of new LPs, used LPs, and CDs from across the music spectrum. > We LOVE tracking down Special Orders! < - Record Players, Turntables, CD players, Speakers, Stylish LP Crates. - World Records T-shirts and hoodies. - World Records Gift Certificates - And of course - Tickets for terrific upcoming concerts! - Please - Tell Your Friends!

Event Links

Tickets: https://go.evvnt.com/3406756-0

Facebook: https://go.evvnt.com/3406756-2

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