Born and raised in San Jose, CA, Tommy Castro started playing guitar at the tender age of ten. Initially inspired by Mike Bloomfield, Eric Clapton, and Elvin Bishop, he started the inevitable journey into the roots of his heroes and discovered and quickly became enamored of B.B. King, Buddy Guy, Elmore James, Muddy Waters, and Freddie King. His vocal styling came from constant listening to Ray Charles, Wilson Pickett, James Brown, and Otis Redding. After playing with numerous Bay Area groups honing his chops, he landed a gig playing guitar for the San Francisco band the Dynatones, who were then signed to Warner Brothers. The two-year stint augured well for Castro, playing to the biggest crowds he had seen up to that point and backing artists as diverse as Carla Thomas and Albert King.

Returning to San Francisco, Castro formed his own group and in 1993 released his first self-produced album, No Foolin', on the dime-sized Saloon label. That same year also saw him winning the Bay Area Music Award for Best Club Band, an honor he duplicated the following year. Working as the house band on NBC's Comedy Showcase, airing after Saturday Night Live, only boosted his visibility and name value. In 1997, he won Bammies for Outstanding Blues Musician and for Outstanding Blues Album for his debut release on Blind Pig Records, Exception to the Rule. Also in 1997 Castro and his band began a three-year stint working as the house band on NBC's Comedy Showcase, which aired after Saturday Night Live.

Live at the Fillmore was released in early 2000, and with everyone from industry insiders to B.B. King singing his praises, Castro appeared to be headed for bigger and better things. It was not to be, however, as in 2001 he left Blind Pig Records and recorded Guilty of Love for the small 33rd Street label. Blind Pig closed the books on their association with Castro in 2002 by releasing the career retrospective The Essential Tommy Castro. Gratitude appeared from Heart and Soul in 2003, followed by Triple Trouble (with Jimmy Hall and Lloyd Jones) later that same year from Telarc. 2005 saw Castro return to the Blind Pig label for the release of Soul Shaker, followed by Painkiller in 2007.
- by Cub Koda (All Music Guide)

In 2008 Tommy Castro made some major moves and joined forces with Delta Groove Music. Their first project together was an all-star collaboration under the title of The Legendary Rhythm & Blues Revue. This dynamic collaboration of talent features the Tommy Castro Band along with an all-star lineup that includes pianist, saxophonist, singer/songwriter Deanna Bogart, Ronnie Baker Brooks, son of legendary bluesman Lonnie Brooks, and Magic Dick, who is best known for his many years as harmonica man in the J. Geils Band. This live recording spotlights many of the highlights of their recent performances including the highly regarded Legendary Rhythm & Blues Cruise founded by blues industry veteran Roger Naber. For years the Legendary Rhythm & Blues Cruise has set the standard as the world’s only fully charted blues cruise which sets sail annually to such exotic locals as the Eastern Caribbean and the Mexican Riviera. In addition to the virtual blues festival at sea, the nightly Pro Jams have become a staple and much talked about experience for would be sea goers. Out of this nightly ritual was born the inspired beginnings of what has now become the Legendary Rhythm & Blues Revue.

In addition to his new relationship with Delta Groove in 2008, Castro was also the winner of the 2008 Blues Music Award for B.B. King Entertainer of the Year.