Tommy Castro and the Painkillers

Multiple award-winning guitarist, vocalist, and bandleader Tommy Castro is a California-based blues and rock powerhouse. For over four decades, he’s captivated audiences with his soul-drenched vocals, searing guitar work, and high-energy live shows. As frontman of the telepathically tight and wildly raucous Tommy Castro & The Painkillers, he’s released 17 albums that span a wide stylistic range—from horn-driven R&B and hot-blooded soul to gritty, stripped-down rock and electric blues.

With his latest and eighth Alligator Records release, Closer To The Bone, Castro returns to his roots, delivering what he calls “a real blues record, the way they would have made them back in the day.” Produced by guitar master Christoffer “Kid” Andersen at San Jose’s Greaseland Studio, the album is Castro’s rawest and most direct blues effort to date.

The album features standout originals like Ain’t Worth The Heartache, Can’t Catch A Break, and Crazy Woman Blues, alongside deep-cut covers of songs by Castro’s friends and influences—Johnny Nitro, Magic Slim, Ron Thompson, Chris Cain, and more. Guest appearances include Rick Estrin, Billy Branch, Deanna Bogart, Chris Cain, Jim Pugh, and gospel harmonies from The Sons Of The Soul Revivers.

Born in San Jose in 1955, Castro picked up the guitar at age 10 and was inspired by icons like Elvin Bishop, Taj Mahal, and Mike Bloomfield. He absorbed everything from Ike & Tina Turner to John Lee Hooker and Buddy Guy, developing a uniquely uplifting and soulful style rooted in blues, R&B, and funk. After early stints with Bay Area bands including NiteCry and The Dynatones, Castro formed the first Tommy Castro Band in 1992.

Castro’s career took off when his band became the house band on NBC’s Comedy Showcase, airing after Saturday Night Live. He soon built a reputation as a must-see live act, touring relentlessly and releasing acclaimed albums with Blind Pig, Telarc, 33rd Street, and eventually Alligator Records, where his 2009 debut Hard Believer marked a new chapter of critical and commercial success.

Notable releases include The Devil You Know (2014), Stompin’ Ground (2017), Killin’ It – Live (2019), and A Bluesman Came To Town (2021), which AllMusic hailed as “a towering achievement.”

Castro is one of the most decorated artists in contemporary blues, winning 10 Blues Music Awards, including four B.B. King Entertainer of the Year honors—the genre’s highest accolade. His no-frills, 150-shows-a-year approach has earned him a fiercely loyal fanbase and praise from legends like Joe Bonamassa, who says, “Tommy has always been top of the heap among blues guitar players. He always puts on a great show.”

With Closer To The Bone, Tommy Castro strips it all back to deliver an album brimming with grit, fire, and authenticity. “This is the deeper blues side of me,” says Castro. “With these songs, I am at my most authentic.”

OPENING FOR TOMMY CASTRO, TOM PEKELE AND STEVIE GUITAR GLOTZER AT 6:00 PM

FREE CONCERT!

Tom Pakele and Stevie Guitar Glotzer

OPENING FOR TOMMY CASTRO

Tom Pakele and Stevie Guitar Glotzer are known for their soulful harmonica and guitar renditions of classic blues hits from legendary artists like Howling Wolf, Junior Wells, and Sonny Boy Williamson, as well as their own original music which is a must-experience for any blues enthusiast. With Tom's captivating vocals and Stevie's masterful guitar work, they bring the timeless sounds of the blues to life in a way that's both authentic and fresh.

FREE CONCERT!

Denver band Dragondeer has conjured the rhythm spirits to concoct a blend of Psychedelic Blues, Retro Funk, Soul and Rock-n-Roll into a genre blur that's aim is to speak to souls and keep the body moving.

The award winning WireWood Station came up with their name, loving the sounds from the WIRE of their strings and the WOOD of their instruments. This eclectic group of professional musicians are the reigning champs of the "Best Acoustic Band in Colorado" from the Rocky Mountain Music Festival, Finalist at the Telluride Bluegrass Festival as well as winning the "Best Band" in Colorado Springs honored and voted by the readers of the Gazette for several years running.

Peach Street Revival

Peach Street Revival is a commanding, female-fronted rock band from Grand Junction, Colorado, delivering a massive, gritty sound that embodies the raw essence of rock 'n' roll. Their live performances are electrifying, pulling audiences into an unforgettable, immersive experience. With gritty riffs, soaring vocals, and a thunderous rhythm section, Peach Street Revival creates a sound that exudes defiant musical beauty—a bold and unapologetic force in modern rock.

Peach Street Revival has rocked the stage alongside legends like ZZ Top, Buckcherry, and Puddle of Mudd, and performs at major festivals year-round. The band's live show ignites audiences with a high-voltage mix of original songs and explosive hits from rock icons like Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath, Soundgarden, Rush, Heart, Queen, Fleetwood Mac, Janis Joplin, Jefferson Airplane, and more! FREE CONCERT

The Front Rangers

Born from the culture of the Colorado mountains, The Runaway Grooms are advancing the musical sounds of the high country into a diverse blend of Americana tones and psychedelic jams melded together from dueling guitar solos, screaming lap steel guitar, and 3-part harmonies.

Ska band from Tucson, Arizona featuring the Poland Brothers Crix and Arron Poland. In latter days, they more frequently went by the title "Warsaw Poland Bros." on their albums and promotional material, probably to avoid confusing with other bands named "Warsaw."

The Lap Dawgs

A Denver, Colorado-based band playing all types of Rock and Roll, along with blues and country. Playing a mix of covers and original music.

The Lap Dawgs started in early 2000, when Joel Taylor and Bruce Lange decided it was time to get out of the basement and play some live shows. Although the Dawgs have gone through some line-up changes over the years, the original plan for the band hasn't changed: create unique cover tunes and exciting original music, and have fun entertaining people.  

Patrick Storen and Emily Winter of Liver Down The River will be performing a scaled down intimate peformance at the Palisade Park Amphitheater Farmers Market stage. The group has their roots in countless river floats, campfires, late night picking, and Colorado living. Since its creation in 2012, the band has strived to have nothing but a good time. Their unique sound and high energy performances have lead them to share the stage with the likes of The Infamous Stringdusters, Railroad Earth, The New Mastersounds, and Poor Man’s Whiskey, to name a few.

The band got their start in 2012 when Patrick Storen and Emily Winter met and started playing music together. A few common fiddle tunes and Grateful Dead numbers later, the two were ready to perform.

The music is a blend of original and improvisational compositions that take the listener on a journey. Each member brings their own inspirations and elements to the sound. From the high peaks of bluegrass, the deepest pockets of the funk, and the outer reaches of space, a unique genre of music is created. Inspiration comes from the band’s collective adventures, love of nature, the following of the soul, and the drive to keep on moving on.

Song collector & multi instrumentalist, Brad Manosevitz was raised on Texas radio in Austin, and credits/blames his mother for relentlessly encouraging an interest in music. His time in Santa Cruz as a KPIG radio DJ has had the greatest influence on his present catalog: an eclectic mix of Americana, West Texas folk rock, bluegrass, classic rock & originals.

DEREK WAS FEATURED IN NASHVILLES OWN "MUSIC MECCA" AS AN UNDER THE RADAR ARTIST TO KEEP YOUR EYE ON IN 2025

Another more old school folk n’ roots singer-songwriter, Derek Dames Ohl harnesses a Blaze Foley essence with a modern charm, as displayed on his July album, Someday I’ll Be Happy (And Rule This World of Mine). Also for those who dig the simpler down-home sound with lonesome cowboy-style songwriting and vocals to match. - Paul Howard

Despite his professed ambivalence about the spotlight, Ohl effectively engages his audiences with interesting bits of song history and amusing asides while performing solo. His sets range from his impressive original material to covers of the Grateful Dead, Prine, Guy Clark and classic country artists including George Jones. - Nick Hutchinson

Derek Dames Ohl is like warm butter on hot bread with blustering conduct. As a modern-day herald, Derek keeps his roots close with a six-string on his back, ping-ponging across the United States, sharing songs at every bar or dive that dares. His sounds eclipse and perfect everything from Country, Blues, and Honky-Tonk. His pride lies in keeping the American roots music tradition alive, with punchy guitar playing that'll surely leave listeners stomping the floorboards. Derek has been compared to artists like John Prine and Guy Clark with his quirky one moment, and woeful the next, songwriting style.

Reggae Artist Wylie Jones is rooted in the Denver foothills and perpetually tours the Rocky Mountains. A few of Wylie's most notable accomplishments include recording at the award winning Blackbird Studio in Nashville, TN 2023. Playing keys with the legendary Itals at Red Rocks Amphitheater for Reggae on The Rocks 2022 and supporting Ziggy Marley at a sold out Mishawaka Amphitheater 2019. Wylie’s seismic soulful voice resonates lifetimes of experience. Wylie Jones’s exuberant talent and ear for soul shaking music make for an unforgettable experience of shoulder popping, heart thumping, hip shaking bliss.  

Andrew Cooney is a captivating bassist, vocalist and songwriter known for his smooth vocals and intricate songwriting. As a member of the popular Colorado band Tenth Mountain Division and an active musician within the Colorado scene, Cooney commands attention on stage with his melodic bass lines and vocals.

Six One Five Collective

The Six One Five Collective is a band formed by four artists, known for their blend of country, Americana, folk, and pop music. They are recognized for their distinctive harmonies, strong vocals, and a live show featuring a mix of original music, hits they've written for other artists, and their own high-energy "Six One Five sound". The group has garnered numerous accolades, including Grammy nominations and an IBMA Song of the Year award. They've also toured extensively, opening for major artists like John Legend, Kenny Chesney, and Carly Pearce. FREE CONCERT

Roma Ransom is an eclectic bohemian world psych folk duo.

DEREK WAS FEATURED IN NASHVILLES OWN "MUSIC MECCA" AS AN UNDER THE RADAR ARTIST TO KEEP YOUR EYE ON IN 2025

Another more old school folk n’ roots singer-songwriter, Derek Dames Ohl harnesses a Blaze Foley essence with a modern charm, as displayed on his July album, Someday I’ll Be Happy (And Rule This World of Mine). Also for those who dig the simpler down-home sound with lonesome cowboy-style songwriting and vocals to match. - Paul Howard

Despite his professed ambivalence about the spotlight, Ohl effectively engages his audiences with interesting bits of song history and amusing asides while performing solo. His sets range from his impressive original material to covers of the Grateful Dead, Prine, Guy Clark and classic country artists including George Jones. - Nick Hutchinson

Derek Dames Ohl is like warm butter on hot bread with blustering conduct. As a modern-day herald, Derek keeps his roots close with a six-string on his back, ping-ponging across the United States, sharing songs at every bar or dive that dares. His sounds eclipse and perfect everything from Country, Blues, and Honky-Tonk. His pride lies in keeping the American roots music tradition alive, with punchy guitar playing that'll surely leave listeners stomping the floorboards. Derek has been compared to artists like John Prine and Guy Clark with his quirky one moment, and woeful the next, songwriting style.

The Velvet Daydream

A band well known for bringing back the “classic rock show.” Chock-full of retro 70s-inspired style, Kaeden Keys (guitar, vocals), Ryder King (guitar, vocals), Jude Pfanstiel (bass, vocals), and Nick Schwartz (drums, vocals), are restoring a style of music that has been dwindling over the past 30 years: rock and roll. This vintage style of showmanship isn’t just for the stage, as it can be heard on their 2023 self-titled debut albumThe Velvet Daydream. The band partnered with experts in the art of recording, using holy grails of equipment once used on records from Foreigner, Julian Lennon and Dream Theater.

Authentic to the bone, the band opted to record the album on 1/2 inch tape and preserve the old school rock and roll feeling. They are shooting for the big time, and with good reason.