Tommy Castro & The Painkillers ‘Closer To The Bone’ Tour at The Sapphire Room at The Riverside Hotel – Boise, ID

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.”

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Join us for dinner and drinks! The Sapphire Room features a full dinner and bar menu with tableside service beginning at 6pm. The Sapphire Room is all-ages and family friendly. Every person that enters must have a ticket. No babes in arms.

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FREE and convenient parking.

Please be aware that video and photographs may be taken during the show, which may include members of the audience. By purchasing a ticket (or multiple tickets), you acknowledge this is a possibility and give permission to The Riverside Hotel and The Sapphire Room to use your captured image (and/or the images of anyone in your party) in promotional applications. These applications include, but are not limited to, social media posts and use on our websites. We would like to emphasize that in the event your image (or the images of members in your party) is captured and used for promotional purposes, you will not be compensated for its use. As the ticket purchaser, it is your responsibility to communicate this to all of the attendees in your party.

Please note that general seats may have a partially obstructed view. Table locations may vary slightly from positions shown on the seating map.

With the purchase of a ticket, Sapphire guests are eligible for The Riverside Hotel's "Sapphire Getaway" for $179 + tax. This rate is available for the night of the Sapphire Room show and includes a standard hotel room (double occupancy) and breakfast for two the following morning. To reserve, please call the Riverside Hotel front desk at 208-343-1871. The Sapphire Getaway rate is subject to availability and blackout dates. It will not be available for every show.