Gulf Coast Records

02/01/2025

🔥 𝐁𝐋𝐔𝐄𝐒𝐌𝐀𝐆𝐀𝐙𝐈𝐍𝐄 𝐀𝐍𝐍𝐔𝐀𝐋 𝐋𝐈𝐒𝐓 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟒: 𝐌𝐈𝐊𝐄 𝐙𝐈𝐓𝐎 - 𝐋𝐈𝐅𝐄 𝐈𝐒 𝐇𝐀𝐑𝐃, 𝐀𝐋𝐁𝐔𝐌 𝐎𝐅 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐘𝐄𝐀𝐑!
Thank you BluesMagazine followers for voting for Mike Zito's "LIFE IS HARD" as your Blues Album of the Year 2024! I am very honored to be included on this list. Thank you to the fans for your support. 🙏

The Bluesmagazine Top 10 Best Blues Album 2024:
1. Mike Zito – Life is Hard
2. Warren Haynes – Million Voices Whisper
3. Walter Trout – Broken
4. Bywater Call – Shepherd
5. Ian Siegal & Johnny Mastro – Easy Tiger
6. Cedric Burnside – Hill Country Love
7. Leif de Leeuw band – Mighty Fine
8. DeWolff – Muscle Shoals
9. Devon Allman – Miami Moon
10. Blackberry Smoke – Be Right Here

https://www.bluesmagazine.nl/bluesmagazine-jaarlijst-2024-mike-zito-life-is-hard-album-van-het-jaar/
Gulf Coast Records Europe

De uitslag van de verkiezing van het beste blues album van 2024 is bekend. Volgens de volgers van Bluesmagazine.nl levert Mike Zito met Life is hard het beste blues album van 2024 af. In totaal is er op 82 verschillende albums, waarvan 7 uit Nederland gestemd, een verscheidenheid die weerspiegeld da...

30/12/2024

𝐁𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐌𝐮𝐫𝐫𝐚𝐲 𝐓𝐞𝐚𝐦𝐬 𝐔𝐩 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐁𝐥𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐁𝐫𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐌𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐙𝐢𝐭𝐨 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐀𝐥𝐛𝐞𝐫𝐭 𝐂𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐠𝐥𝐢𝐚 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐒𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐆𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐉𝐢𝐦𝐦𝐲 𝐕𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐨 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐍𝐞𝐰 𝐓𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐢𝐧 𝐄𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐲 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓

The legendary Bill Murray is teaming up with Gulf Coast Records artists Mike Zito and Albert Castiglia (aka “Blood Brothers”) to perform a series of shows in the first few months of 2025. Special Guest on the dates is newly-signed Gulf Coast artist guitarist Jimmy Vivino, whose label debut, Gonna Be 2 of Those Days, is set for release on February 14th.

The “Bill Murray and His Blood Brothers” tour kicks off January 3rd and 4th with two sold-out shows in Chicago; continues with multiple dates in San Francisco, Atlanta, New York, and Austin; plus dates in Des Moines and Saint Louis; with additional shows to be announced at a later date.

“Mike and I are close friends with Bill’s brother, John,” says Albert Castiglia about how the hook-up happened. “We met John through (fellow Gulf Coast Records label mate) Chris ‘Bad News’ Barnes. John told Bill about the Blood Brothers and that prompted an invitation to play a show at The Murray Brothers annual Caddyshack Golf Tournament in St. Augustine, Florida. Bill sang five songs with the band that night. It was surreal to share the stage with such an icon, but he carried himself onstage like he was just one of the guys; so much fun. Bill had such a good time that he reached out to Mike and told him he wanted to do shows with us. The rest is history!”

Mike Zito and Albert Castiglia celebrated the release of their self-titled Blood Brothers album in 2023 with a tour that became one of the hottest tickets of the year. That album, produced by Joe Bonamassa and Josh Smith, hit #1 on both the Billboard Blues Chart and iTunes Blues Chart and won the 2024 Blues Music Award for Blues Rock Album of the Year. One of the most-anticipated albums of the year, Blood Brothers featured the multi-Blues Music Award-winners, who then played a highly-successful string of “Blood Brothers” 2023 shows through the summer and fall, culminating with a special appearance at the Big Blues Bender in Las Vegas that September.

The album also generated extensive radio airplay around the world, accompanied by universal rave reviews: “…a terrific collaboration.” – American Songwriter; “The universe wants what it wants and, right now, it wants this. Miss it and miss out.” – Rock & Blues Muse; “There was big anticipation that this album would be one of those where one plus one equals better than two. And it does.” – Blues Music Magazine; “Packed with fire, inspiration, and a palpable tight bond between the two principals, this is blues rock with some strong songs.” – Glide Magazine.

Mike Zito and Albert Castiglia are true “Blood Brothers” in life and in the music they create both individually and collectively, joining forces in a collaborative effort of songwriting and performances to create a total listening experience greater than the sum of its parts. Added to that process are the talents of producers Joe Bonamassa and Josh Smith, who brought fresh ideas to the recording sessions, pushing Mike and Albert creatively and musically to present their best work to date.

“Mike and Albert have a special chemistry together when they plug in and play that few have. They finish each other's sentences musically,” award-winning guitarist Joe Bonamassa said about the sessions. “Great tunes, great people, great hang! What's not to like? It was an honor to be involved in this project."

Bill Murray with His Blood Brothers Tour Current Dates
JAN 3/4 - Thalia Hall – Chicago, IL - SOLD OUT
JAN 29/30 - SF Sketchfest– San Francisco, CA​
FEB 6/7 - Variety Playhouse - Atlanta, GA
FEB 14 - The Capitol Theatre – Port Chester, NY
FEB 15 - Sony Hall – New York, NY
MAR 25/26 - Paramount Theatre - Austin, TX
APR 11 - Val Air Ballroom - Des Moines, IA
APR 12 - The Pageant - Saint Louis, MO

Additional dates forthcoming….

29/12/2024

🔥 𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐆𝐑𝐀𝐓𝐔𝐋𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍𝐒 𝐌𝐈𝐊𝐄 𝐙𝐈𝐓𝐎 & 𝐀𝐋𝐁𝐄𝐑𝐓 𝐂𝐀𝐒𝐓𝐈𝐆𝐋𝐈𝐀!
Mike Zito and Albert Castiglia's albums LIFE IS HARD and RIGHTEOUS SOULS re-entered the Billboard Blues Music Albums Chart this week!

Thank you to all the fans who helped make it happen! 💙 🙏 🎸
Michael Zito Joan A Mallotides Oliver Overton
Intrepid Artists International The SRG ILS Group

27/12/2024

Gulf Coast Records is proud to announce that Mike Zito and Albert Castiglia's collaborative efforts with the Blood Brothers have been acknowledged by Blues Rock Review on their list of 10 BLUES ROCK COLLABORATIONS THAT MADE HISTORY! They are honored to be included with such legendary partnerships! Thank you!
We look forward to more music and shows from the Blood Brothers in 2025 and beyond!

The world of blues rock thrives on collaboration, where legendary artists come together to create unforgettable music. These partnerships often

24/12/2024

🎄🕎 Merry Christmas and Happy Hannukah to all our Gulf Coast Records Fans...Friends...and Family. Thank you so much for your continued support of the label. We have exciting new releases planned for 2025! Happy New Year! 🎉

23/12/2024

🔥 𝐇𝐎𝐓 𝐖𝐀𝐗 𝐀𝐋𝐁𝐔𝐌 𝐑𝐄𝐕𝐈𝐄𝐖𝐒 𝐁𝐄𝐒𝐓 𝐎𝐅 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟒 - 𝐑𝐎𝐂𝐊 𝐃𝐎𝐂𝐓𝐎𝐑
Thank you Gonzo Okanagan and John the Rock Doctor for including Mike Zito's "LIFE IS HARD" and Albert Castiglia's "RIGHTEOUS SOULS" in your Best of 2024!

#𝟓 -𝐌𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐙𝐢𝐭𝐨, 𝐋𝐢𝐟𝐞 𝐈𝐬 𝐇𝐚𝐫𝐝
A disc of scorching, heartfelt blues from one hell of a guitar player. Life Is Hard is an emotional set with powerful lyrics and super-human guitar playing. Zito says “I believe this is the best album I’ve ever made in my life”, and with 8 or 9 of his albums in my collection plus stuff from his ‘side groups’ The Wheel and Royal Southern Brotherhood, I can say with confidence that he ain’t lying… this is a superior record.

HOT TRACKS: Forever My Love, Having A Talk With God, These Eyes

#𝟏𝟏 - 𝐀𝐥𝐛𝐞𝐫𝐭 𝐂𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐠𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐚, 𝐑𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐞𝐨𝐮𝐬 𝐒𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐬
Teaming up with Mike Zito for the Blood Brothers has had a large effect on Albert Castiglia; Righteous Souls is full throttle rockin’ blues full of righteous singing and inspired playing. This could well be the best thing Albert’s done.

HOT TRACKS: Centerline (with Popa Chubby), Till They Take It Away (with Ally Venable), Come On In This House (with Rick Estrin)

Read More: https://gonzookanagan.com/hot-wax-album-reviews-best-of-2024/

22/12/2024

Happy birthday to the BOSS of Gulf Coast Records,
Joan A Mallotides!!!

We love you Joan!

18/12/2024

🔥 𝐓𝐎𝐏 𝟐𝟎 𝐀𝐋𝐁𝐔𝐌𝐒 𝐎𝐅 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟒 - 𝐑𝐎𝐂𝐊 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐁𝐋𝐔𝐄𝐒 𝐌𝐔𝐒𝐄
Thank you Rock and Blues Muse for including Mike Zito's "LIFE IS HARD" and Albert Castiglia's "RIGHTEOUS SOULS" in your Top 20 Albums of 2024!

𝐌𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐙𝐢𝐭𝐨, 𝐋𝐢𝐟𝐞 𝐈𝐬 𝐇𝐚𝐫𝐝
Multi Blues Music Award winner Mike Zito released the album of his life with Life Is Hard, produced by Joe Bonamassa and Josh Smith. The 12 tracks include several heartbreakers, but also lively and meaningful blues songs penned by Tinsley Ellis, Walter Trout, Tab Benoit and Fred James. The album is a scorcher—Zito and his late wife Laura planned the idea for an album where he poured his heart out after her death from cancer. But there are also lively blues tunes, performed by some of the best musicians in the business, including Zito himself.

𝐀𝐥𝐛𝐞𝐫𝐭 𝐂𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐠𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐚, 𝐑𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐞𝐨𝐮𝐬 𝐒𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐬
Last year’s ‘Blood Brothers’ collaboration with label owner and fellow blues rocking guitar peer Mike Zito helped raise veteran Castiglia’s profile. He returns with his own band and lots of guests/friends like Rick Estrin, Popa Chubby, Danielle Nicole and the inescapable Joe Bonamassa to help out. The majority of the material is covers, but they are generally obscure, the playing is inspired and the visitors add to the album’s energy without hogging the spotlight from Castiglia’s emotional singing and taut guitar work.

17/12/2024

🔥 𝐓𝐎𝐏 𝟐𝟎 𝐀𝐋𝐁𝐔𝐌𝐒 𝐎𝐅 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟒 - 𝐁𝐋𝐔𝐄𝐒 𝐑𝐎𝐂𝐊 𝐑𝐄𝐕𝐈𝐄𝐖
Thank you Blues Rock Review for including Mike Zito's "LIFE IS HARD' in your Top 20 Albums of 2024. https://bluesrockreview.com/2024/12/top-20-albums-of-2024.html

“Despite the “Lonely Man” declaration at the top of the album, Zito had a lot of support in putting Life Is Hard together. In addition to producing the album, Bonamassa and Smith also played guitar throughout and brought in several other musicians to help fill out the sound. The result is a full-bodied album that embraces the best of the blues. While it can serve as a salve for listeners going through a tough time, it can also be enjoyed simply as an expertly made blues album, one that delivers on what most blue fans are looking for when they seek out great new music in their favorite genre.” – Meghan Roos
Intrepid Artists International Joan A Mallotides Mark Pucci Media Gulf Coast Records Europe

16/12/2024

🚨 𝐉𝐔𝐒𝐓 𝐀𝐍𝐍𝐎𝐔𝐍𝐂𝐄𝐃 𝐋𝐎𝐔𝐈𝐒𝐕𝐈𝐋𝐋𝐄, 𝐊𝐘!

We are very excited to announce that Bill Murray and His Blood Brothers (ft. Mike Zito, Albert Castiglia & Jimmy Vivino) will be coming to the Louisville Palace Theatre on 𝐒𝐀𝐓𝐔𝐑𝐃𝐀𝐘, 𝐎𝐂𝐓𝐎𝐁𝐄𝐑 𝟒𝐭𝐡.

🎟 Presale starts Thursday 12/19 at 10am EST (code: JOY)
On Sale to General Public - Friday 12/20 at 10am EST
👉 👉 https://livemu.sc/49G1NCQ
Gulf Coast Records Intrepid Artists International

16/12/2024

🔥 𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐆𝐑𝐀𝐓𝐔𝐋𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍𝐒 𝐌𝐈𝐊𝐄 𝐙𝐈𝐓𝐎!
Mike Zito's 2024 release LIFE IS HARD placed at #11 on the Billboard Year-End Blues Albums Chart! Zito recorded the new album at Sunset Sound Studios in Hollywood, California, with Joe Bonamassa and Josh Smith producing.

“Life Is Hard is a complete work of art for me,” says Mike Zito about the new disc. “I believe this is the best album I’ve ever made in my life. My wife Laura and I planned this idea of pouring my heart out in music after her death from cancer. Joe, Josh, and the incredible musicians were fully aware of the task at hand. They brought a lot of emotion to the music. I am so proud of this album and I know Laura would be proud as well.”

Thank you to all the fans who helped make it happen! 💙 🙏 🎸
Michael Zito Joan A Mallotides Mark Pucci Media Oliver Overton
Michelle Castiglia Intrepid Artists International The SRG ILS Group

13/12/2024

🔥 𝐍𝐎𝐖 𝐀𝐕𝐀𝐈𝐋𝐀𝐁𝐋𝐄: The Blues Giants: Live from Groove Now

Gulf Coast Records is excited to digitally release live recordings of 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐁𝐥𝐮𝐞𝐬 𝐆𝐢𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐬: 𝐋𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐆𝐫𝐨𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐍𝐨𝐰. It is now available on all digital media outlets. 👉 https://srgils.lnk.to/bluesgiant

Live from Groove Now was produced by Patrick Kaiser and was recorded on September 23 / 24, 2022 in Basel, Switzerland. Groove Now has developed into one of the most important blues festivals in Europe. The festival exclusively presents the best and most exciting international blues and soul musicians of the present day - primarily from the USA - in an intimate setting.

The 2022 Blues Giants included powerhouse guitarists and singers Mike Zito and Albert Castiglia, Kid Andersen on guitar and organ, Jimmy Carpenter on saxophone, Lisa Leuschner Andersen on vocals, bass legend Jerry Jemmott, as well as the great drummer Jimi Bott. Live From Groove Now is eighteen tracks of blues and soul, interpreted by some of the best contemporary blues musicians in the world.

TRACKS
01. Funky Mama
02. Love Her With A Feeling
03. Every Day I Have The Blues
04. Texas Flood
05. Thrill is Gone
06. Black Cat Bone
07. I Hear You Knocking
08. Matchbox
09. Hideaway
10. Walking The Backstreets
11. Wouldn’t Treat A Dog
12. You’re Gonna Need Me
13. Messin’ With The Kid
14. Feel So Bad
15. Let Me Love You
16. Jumpin’ At Shadows
17. Rock Bottom
18. I’d Rather Go Blind

09/12/2024

🗳VOTE FOR THE TOP 20 ALBUMS OF 2024
Rock and Blues Muse is pleased to announce that voting for the Top 20 Albums of 2024 is now open.
The list of albums is alphabetized according to the artist/band name. Voting is for full-length albums released this year. If you don’t see the album you want to vote for, there is a place to write in your choice. Be sure to scroll down to the last names. You can vote as many times as you like.

🗳 Poll closes December 13 at 23:59 PST
Please consider voting for our Gulf Coast Records 2024 Album Releases. Thank You!

Rock & Blues Muse is pleased to announce that voting for the Top 20 Albums of 2024 is now open. The list of albums is alphabetized according to the artist/band name. Voting is for full-length albums released this year. If

06/12/2024

🚨 𝐏𝐑𝐄-𝐎𝐑𝐃𝐄𝐑 𝐍𝐎𝐖 𝐀𝐕𝐀𝐈𝐋𝐀𝐁𝐋𝐄! 🚨
Gulf Coast Records is excited to announce that Jimmy Vivino's upcoming release 'Gonna Be 2 Of Those Days' is now available for pre-order. Produced by Jimmy Vivino & Rich Pagano with a release date of February 14, 2025
📀 𝐎𝐑𝐃𝐄𝐑 𝐒𝐈𝐆𝐍𝐄𝐃 𝐂𝐎𝐏𝐈𝐄𝐒 𝐇𝐄𝐑𝐄:
👉 https://jimmyvmusic.com/

Special guests on 'Gonna Be 2 of Those Days' include Joe Bonamassa and John Sebastian.

"Jimmy Vivino has been a hero of mine for over 30 years,” said Gulf Coast president Mike Zito in making the announcement. “His incredible musicianship, passionate vocals, and powerful songwriting have always made him stand out. Jimmy is the consummate sideman, making everyone look and sound great. This new record, 'Gonna Be 2 of Those Days', puts Jimmy where I think he belongs: center stage. I am thrilled to have Jimmy Vivino join the GCR familia."

“I knew Mike and Gulf Coast would be the right label to put my music out,” added Jimmy Vivino. “I was the instant 3rd Blood Brother when we met, and expect a long association with many more exciting things to come.”

Although Vivino is best known for his long-standing run with The Conan O-Brien TV show house band, his multi-faceted career stretches to movies, Broadway, and radio, in addition to his extensive recordings of his own albums, as well as special guest appearances on many others.

02/12/2024

🔥 𝐆𝐮𝐥𝐟 𝐂𝐨𝐚𝐬𝐭 𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐑𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐁𝐥𝐮𝐞𝐬 𝐆𝐢𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐋𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐆𝐫𝐨𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐍𝐨𝐰 𝐅𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐚𝐥

Gulf Coast Records is excited to digitally release live recordings of 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐁𝐥𝐮𝐞𝐬 𝐆𝐢𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐬: 𝐋𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐆𝐫𝐨𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐍𝐨𝐰. It will be available on all digital media outlets on December 13, 2024.
🎧 𝐏𝐫𝐞-𝐒𝐚𝐯𝐞 👉 https://srgils.lnk.to/bluesgiant

Live from Groove Now was produced by Patrick Kaiser and was recorded on September 23 / 24, 2022 in Basel, Switzerland. Groove Now has developed into one of the most important blues festivals in Europe. The festival exclusively presents the best and most exciting international blues and soul musicians of the present day - primarily from the USA - in an intimate setting.

The 2022 Blues Giants included powerhouse guitarists and singers Mike Zito and Albert Castiglia, Kid Andersen on guitar and organ, Jimmy Carpenter on saxophone, Lisa Leuschner Andersen on vocals, bass legend Jerry Jemmott, as well as the great drummer Jimi Bott. Live From Groove Now is eighteen tracks of blues and soul, interpreted by some of the best contemporary blues musicians in the world.

TRACKS
01. Funky Mama
02. Love Her With A Feeling
03. Every Day I Have The Blues
04. Texas Flood
05. Thrill is Gone
06. Black Cat Bone
07. I Hear You Knocking
08. Matchbox
09. Hideaway
10. Walking The Backstreets
11. Wouldn’t Treat A Dog
12. You’re Gonna Need Me
13. Messin’ With The Kid
14. Feel So Bad
15. Let Me Love You
16. Jumpin’ At Shadows
17. Rock Bottom
18. I’d Rather Go Blind

29/11/2024

🚨 𝐉𝐔𝐒𝐓 𝐀𝐍𝐍𝐎𝐔𝐍𝐂𝐄𝐃 𝐍𝐄𝐖 𝐘𝐎𝐑𝐊 𝐂𝐈𝐓𝐘!
We are very excited to announce that Mike Zito will be returning to the legendary club The Iridium on FEBRUARY 19th. Opening the night, will be Gulf Coast Records recording artist Jimmy Carpenter and his band. You won't want to miss this show! Don't delay and pick up tickets today!
🎟 𝐓𝐈𝐂𝐊𝐄𝐓𝐒: https://www.theiridium.com/Events/mike-zito-%26-jimmy-carpenter/february-19%2C-2025