Mike Zito
NEWS
Gulf Coast Records’ Blues Music Award-Winner Mike Zito Set to Record
New Album Sessions for Upcoming Life is Hard CD Scheduled for February 2024
New Disc to Be Produced by Joe Bonamassa and Josh Smith
Gulf Coast Records announces a February, 2024, release for the upcoming disc from multi-Blues Music Award-winner Mike Zito, to be titled Life Is Hard. Zito will record the new album September 18-22 during sessions at Sunset Sound Studios in Hollywood, California, with Joe Bonamassa and Josh Smith producing. Both Bonamassa and Smith were involved in the production of Blood Brothers, the critically-acclaimed album Zito recorded with fellow label guitarist Albert Castiglia, which topped both the Billboard and iTunes blues charts after its release in March, 2023.
"This will be a straight up blues album - something I haven't really done before,” says Mike Zito about the forthcoming CD. “My wife Laura (who passed away in July after a long battle with cancer) and I planned this recording back in January of this year. We both agreed I needed to continue to make new music and try and put some of these hard earned emotions to music. Both Joe and Josh understand my goal and I expect it to be a rocking tear jerker.”
Photo by: Norma Touchette
Hi, this is Mike and Laura Zito.
Most of you know, my wife Laura was diagnosed with Stage 4 Pancreatic Metastatic Cancer in July of 2022. She was given 9-12 months to live at that time. Laura decided she would fight with everything she had to beat the odds, and she did. But now treatment has stopped working and she will begin hospice at home. She's been given months to live, but she will fight for as much time as possible. We have been offered support the past year but with me working full time we felt it wasn't necessary. Now I will stop working and playing music and come home to spend this time with my life partner and our family. We will need help with our monthly bills, extra medical expenses, and giving Laura the BEST summer of her life! Anything you can give will be of so much help to our family. Our priorities with assistance will be monthly bills, medical costs, flying in all of our children to spend time with us, bringing Laura to the beach and wherever she wants to go, and finally passing on any monies to our daughters in Laura's name after she is gone for their college fund. We've put this off for the past year, but now is the time we can use any support. Thank you so much for always loving our family. Laura is a one-of-a-kind person with a heart of gold, she deserves all the love in the world. https://gofund.me/fd8faf15
"BLOOD BROTHERS"
featuring Mike Zito & Albert Castiglia
is NOW AVAILABLE ON VINYL!
Mike Zito Signs Artist Deal with Paul Reed Smith Guitars
You may have seen Mike playing his new PRS guitars on tour with Blood Brothers this year.
Mike has signed an artist deal with the world famed American guitar maker.
"I have found everything I have been looking for in a guitar with Paul Reed Smith. There's a spiritual quality to the instruments that connect with me."
First single & video "Hey Sweet Mama"
BLOOD BROTHERS CD
Blood Brothers CD featuring Mike Zito & Albert Castiglia
NOW AVAILABLE
Blood Brothers merchandise also available!
Albert Castiglia and I are extremely grateful to announce that our new release 𝐁𝐋𝐎𝐎𝐃 𝐁𝐑𝐎𝐓𝐇𝐄𝐑𝐒 debuted on the Billboard Top US Blues Albums chart at #𝟏. Thank you to all the fans who helped make it happen! We appreciate you...and hope to see you on the road!
Blood Brothers was produced by Joe Bonamassa and Josh Smith
Second single & video "In My Soul"
Third single & video "A Thousand Heartaches" ft. Joe Bonamassa
Gulf Coast Records’ Blues Music Award-Winners Mike Zito and Albert Castiglia Are Blood Brothers on New CD Coming March 17
New Disc Produced By Joe Bonamassa And Josh Smith
Gulf Coast Records announces a March 17 release date for one of the most-anticipated albums of the year, the upcoming Blood Brothers disc featuring multi-Blues Music Award-winners Mike Zito and Albert Castiglia. The duo concluded a highly-successful string of “Blood Brothers” shows in the spring/summer of 2022 with new tour dates already announced beginning in February and running through the summer, culminating with a special appearance at the Big Blues Bender in Las Vegas in September. Blood Brothers was produced by Joe Bonamassa and Josh Smith and recorded at Dockside Studio in Maurice, Louisiana. “Sweet Mama,” the album’s first single/video, drops February 10th.
"This album was a blast to make and I am even more excited to take this music out on the road and perform for the people,” says Mike Zito. “It's just a bit more complex with an overall band dynamic that I think sets apart from what Albert and I normally do."
“The making of this album was a ‘brotherhood’ in every sense of the word,” adds Albert Castiglia. “The production team of Josh Smith and Joe Bonamassa, along with Mike and I created something incredibly special. I hope our fans enjoy this collaboration as much as we did.”
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."
For the Blood Brothers album, Mike Zito: vocals/guitars; Albert Castiglia: vocals/guitars – brought together their two powerhouse bands, featuring Matt Johnson: drums; Ephraim Lowell: drums; Doug Byrkit: bass; Lewis Stephens: piano/organ. Josh Smith provided his additional talents on guitar to the sound, and Joe Bonamassa stepped up to be featured on the new song, “A Thousand Heartaches.”
"Mike Zito and Albert Castiglia have done something special,” added co-producer Josh Smith. “They have both found their musical confidante. Most solo artists never even look - let alone find - theirs. They have brought together a real ‘band’ using members of each's solo acts. The sum of all these parts added with a tremendous effort to both write and perform the strongest record of their respective careers has paid off in a special album. Blood Brothers indeed! Joe and I are proud that these brothers trusted our partnership to produce this special album!"
Of the many insights into the songs on Blood Brothers, Mike Zito offered these two about “‘In My Soul’ and “One Step Ahead of the Blues”: “In the summer of 2022, my wife Laura was diagnosed with cancer. It was a surreal shock. Albert suggested I write songs about how I felt, but I said no. I just couldn't bring myself to that place yet. ‘In My Soul’ is the only song that came out of what I was feeling at that time. I didn't think about it or analyze it, I just started singing.
“For ‘One Step Ahead of the Blues’: I am a JJ Cale fanatic. I love his voice and his style. Although JJ did not write this song, his recording has always been on my playlist. It just fits this band and album with Albert. It turned into a great duet that makes for a strong bond.”
Photo by: Norma Touchette
Albert Castiglia ventured inspirations for “A Thousand Heartaches” and “Tooth and Nail”: “In March of 2022, while on tour in Delaware with The Blood Brothers, Mike asked me to write a ballad for the new album, because we were well-stocked with up tempo numbers and needed to change the pace a little. Ever since I was a kid, I wanted to write an unrequited love song like ‘Bell Bottom Blues’ by Derek & The Dominos or ‘We’ve Got Tonight’ by Bob Seger. I’ve been through unreciprocated and forbidden love in my life, but never had the songwriting chops to express how I felt in the midst of it. Most of my songs of love gone bad or love never meant to be usually had me coming off as bitter. I wanted to change that, dig into my past and write something that had me taking the high road and coming off a little more dignified. I think my songwriting has come a long way and ‘A Thousand Heartaches’ is a result of that progression.
“And when Tinsley Ellis writes a song for you, you listen! Tinsley came to our Blood Brothers show in Atlanta last summer and told us he had a few songs that he had written for us. ‘Tooth and Nail’ grabbed my attention right away. It has all the elements that appeal to a blues-rock guy who grew up in Florida. To me, it’s the ultimate southern rock, Florida/Georgia blues tune. It’s signature Tinsley. It was an honor to sing and play on this one.”
Gulf Coast Records' Blues Music Award-Winners Mike Zito And Albert Castiglia Bond As Blood Brothers On New CD Coming Early 2023
New Disc Produced By Joe Bonamassa And Josh Smith
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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.
Gulf Coast Records announces a first quarter, 2023, release for one of the most-anticipated albums of the New Year, with the upcoming Blood Brothers disc featuring multi-Blues Music Award-winners Mike Zito and Albert Castiglia. The duo recently concluded a highly-successful string of “Blood Brothers” shows in the spring/summer, with new tour dates to be announced shortly.
Blood Brothers was produced by JoeBonamassa and Josh Smith and recorded at Dockside Studio in Maurice, Louisiana.
“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."
For the Blood Brothers album, Mike Zito: vocals/guitars; Albert Castiglia: vocals/guitars – brought together their two powerhouse bands, featuring Matthew R. Johnson: drums; Ephraim Lowell: drums; Doug Byrkit: bass; Lewis Stephens: piano/organ. Josh Smith provided his additional talents on guitar to the sound, and Joe Bonamassa stepped up to be featured on the new song, “A Thousand Heartaches.”
"Mike Zito and Albert Castiglia have done something special,” added co-producer Josh Smith. “They have both found their musical confidante. Most solo artists never even look - let alone find - theirs. They have brought together a real ‘band’ using members of each's solo acts. The sum of all these parts added with a tremendous effort to both write and perform the strongest record of their respective careers has paid off in a special album. Blood Brothers indeed! Joe and I are proud that these brothers trusted our partnership to produce this special album!"
Mike and Albert will be hitting the road again in support of the new Blood Brothers album, with dates booked by Intrepid Artists International. With over 45 years combined in the music business, Zito and Castiglia have toured the world spreading joy and bringing the music to the people. For the upcoming “Blood Brothers” tour, both Mike and Albert will be onstage performing together for the entire show, so fans can enjoy the amazing chemistry and creativity that these two musicians share with each other – and the audience. In addition to their own rock, blues and roots individual tunes, the set will feature a number of songs from the Blood Brothers album.
Mike Zito wins a Blues Music Award at the Blues Foundation's 43rd Blues Music Awards in Memphis, TN. Zito wins the Blues Music Award in the Blues Rock Album category for his release "Resurrection".
Check out the latest issue of Blues Blast Magazine! Thank you for the featured cover story on Mike Zito! In the interview, Mike talks about stretching out in his Blues playing, his label Gulf Coast Records, and more!
Congratulations Mike Zito! Zito's new release BLUES FOR THE SOUTHSIDE debuted on the Billboard Blues Albums chart at #1! We are very grateful to all the fans who helped make it happen! Special thanks to his incredible band and guest artists Tony Campanella, Dave Kalz, and Eric Gales!
Congratulations to Mike Zito who was nominated for the 43rd Blues Music Awards. Mike's album Resurrection has been nominated for Blues Rock Album of the year.
To VOTE you must be a current member of the Blues Foundation. The ballot will be open for voting until 11:59 pm CST on Friday, March 18th. Visit www.BLUES.org to join or renew today.
Multi-Blues Music Award Winning Guitarist Mike Zito Blasts Off with New Double Live CD Set, Blues for the Southside,
Coming February 18th from Gulf Coast Records
With numerous Blues Music Award honors under his belt, Mike Zito, co-owner of Texas-based Gulf Coast Records (which has birthed a number of critically-acclaimed blues/rock albums since its 2018 inception), announces a February 18th release date for his new double live album set, Blues for the Southside.
Recorded on November 26, 2021 at the Old Rock House in St. Louis, Missouri, and produced by Mike Zito, Blues for the Southside showcases Zito (guitar and vocals) and his stellar band in full fury: Matthew Johnson - vocals/drums; Lewis Stephens - piano/organ; Doug Byrkit – vocals/ bass, with special guests including label mate guitarists Tony Campanella and Dave Kalz, plus guitar wizard Eric Gales.
The song list for that special night included tunes from Mike’s earlier albums such as First Class Life, Gone to Texas, Make Blues Not War and his Tribute to Chuck Berry, plus his takes on songs popularized by Jimi Hendrix, Stevie Ray Vaughan and Tampa Red, as well as a new song, the album’s title track.
Now based in Nederland, Texas, Mike Zito states that "Blues for the Southside is a special album for me. I have wanted to do a live blues album playing songs from my catalog with my current band for a while now. I wanted to go back to my old neighborhood in South St. Louis to make the recording. That's where it all began for me, where I fell in love with music. I knew friends and family would fill the Old Rock House and bring the energy I was looking for in this recording. I wanted Tony Campanella and Dave Kalz to join me as guests. I grew up with both of these guys playing in the scene in St. Louis in the 1990s. They are also both Gulf Coast Records artists. I was surprised by my dear friend Eric Gales who happened to be in town for a rehearsal. He showed up and I got him onstage to do an impromptu version of the original ‘Voodoo Chile,’ which turned out to be 12 minutes of pure guitar bliss. I am proud of this album and my band. I’m most proud of my hometown and my neighborhood, South St. Louis."
🎥 Mike Zito goes "Married With Children" in a sitcom-style music video for "You Don't Have Me." The track is featured on Zito’s latest Gulf Coast Records release, Resurrection.
“We had so much fun making this video! The song is about how dumb guys are (me included) when it comes to women,” says Zito. “I’m super proud both my sons worked on this project: Sam Zito and my son, Zach Zito directed and edited the video. Big shout out to my partner in crime, Carrie Wenos for rocking the ‘Married with Children’ vibe with me!”
Mike Zito’s 𝐍𝐄𝐖 𝐒𝐈𝐍𝐆𝐋𝐄 “Dreaming Of You" from his highly anticipated, upcoming album Resurrection, is now available on all digital media outlets.
Listen/Buy: https://smarturl.it/MZResurrection
Resurrection produced by Grammy winner David Z, drops July 16, 2021 on Gulf Coast Records / Hillside Global
𝐍𝐄𝐖 𝐕𝐈𝐃𝐄𝐎!!
Mike Zito says, “The song ‘Don’t Bring Me Down’ is my anthem to social media and all of its yuck. It used to be fun, but now it’s all about politics, religion, political correctness, arguing, ads – Facebook is like the old mall now, nothing good anymore but I still go thinking I might see something I missed.
“My son, Zach Zito, is a killer video editor and creator and his girlfriend, Cassie Ferrick, is a wonderful young actress. Zach created the video and concept with the song in mind and Cassie is our lead actor suffering through “Fakebook” and all of its energy draining bullshit. It’s a fun, lighthearted look at what our life is like today in 2021 in the USA….and the world. Sitting around trying to find something hopeful on the social media, only to fail miserably…..hour in, hour out,” he adds.
Mike Zito's new single " Don't Bring Me Down" from his upcoming release Resurrection is now available on all digital media outlets. Resurrection drops July 16th via Gulf Coast Records / Hillside Global
Mike Zito wins two Blues Music Awards at The Blues Foundation’s 42nd Blues Music Awards in Memphis, TN.
Zito wins BMA in the categories of Blues Rock Artist as well as Blues Rock Album of the Year for Mike Zito and Friends – Rock ‘n’ Roll: A Tribute to Chuck Berry
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Blues-Rock Guitar Master Mike Zito Delivers a Resurrection on New CD
Coming July 16 from Gulf Coast Records/Hillside Global
Nederland, TX –With numerous Blues Music Award honors under his belt, Mike Zito, co-owner of Texas-based Gulf Coast Records (which has birthed a number of critically-acclaimed blues/rock albums since its 2018 inception), will release his new album with Hillside Global, Resurrection, which is set to hit July 16. Resurrection will be available for pre-order on May 21st at mikezito.com.
Producing the new disc is the celebrated Grammy-winner David Z, best known for his long-standing work with Prince, and who has contributed to albums by Etta James, Billy Idol, BoDeans, Buddy Guy and John Mayall, among many others.
“I have songs in me and musical ideas all of the time,” volunteers Mike Zito about the new album’s genesis. “I write what I can, when I can and try to save it all for posterity. Some of the songs are just songs and they don’t always have meaning for me, and some of them become very personal. For me to sing songs and feel them with real emotion, they need to be somewhat personal. Even songs I did not write, I need to feel they explain a part of my thinking or how I am feeling about love, sex, life, death, the world…. Resurrection is an album of feelings, emotions, and is very personal. The title track is how I once almost lost my love, but it came back stronger than ever. I have had this song in me for years, but it only makes sense now to share it with the world. After the year we have had on planet Earth, I believe we all need a rebirth. This rebirth has given me an opportunity to be who I want to be musically and artistically.”
Joining Zito (vocals, guitar) on his new musical journey are many musicians who’ve played with him for the last several years, including: Matthew Johnson – drums; Doug Byrkit - bass guitar; Lewis Stephens – piano, organ; Zach Zito - acoustic guitar; Lisa Andersen - backing vocals; Eric Demmer - Saxophone; and Fernando Castillo - Trumpet.
The 11 tracks on Resurrection not only showcase Zito’s strengths as a composer, with eight original songs that sparkle, but also as an interpreter of other compositions, with scintillating and powerful takes on tunes from JJ Cale (“I’ll Make Love To You”), Eric Clapton (“Presence of the Lord”) and Willie Dixon (“Evil”).
“I wrote and recorded the music I felt strongest about and I wanted to share it with the world,” Zito says.” I played my guitar the way I want to play my guitar, not the way anyone says I am supposed to play my guitar. I sang the way I wanted to sing - in my voice with my emotions. I had David Z produce for me again after a few years apart. We have now worked on seven albums together and I believe he understands my music and helped me to shape this album to be strong in the year 2021. This is an album that requires deep listening from beginning to end. The album cover art is an original painting by an amazing South Korean Artist, Yool Kim. She has captured the feeling of soul and light at the end of struggle. I am excited for people to hear this music. I believe it is a wonderful album of songs, stories, and sonic waves of electric guitar that convey darkness before the dawn. I am once again excited about love and life and music.”
On November 13, 2020, Gulf Coast Records will release A Gulf Coast Christmas. A Gulf Coast Christmas contains 16 tracks of beloved Christmas covers as well as original Christmas tunes by the label’s talented and diverse artists. This blues holiday album features 18 Gulf Coast Records artists including Mike Zito, Albert Castiglia, Kat Riggins, The Proven Ones, Mark May, Diana Rein, John "Blues' Boyd, Lisa and Kid Andersen, Kevin Burt, LeRoux, Jimmy Carpenter, Billy Price, Sayer & Joyce, Thomas Atlas, Tony Campanella, and Odds Lane.
A Gulf Coast Christmas will be your favorite holiday album for years to come!!
A Gulf Coast Christmas releases worldwide on Nov.13th, but if you pre-order here you will receive your copy EARLY. This cd will come signed by Mike Zito AND you will get a FREE copy of Quarantine Blues!!
Mike Zito, "Looking Out This Window" from the new album "Quarantine Blues" on Gulf Coast Records.
Of the album "Quarantine Blues" Zito says, “While flying home from Europe after all of our tours being cancelled, I decided the band and myself would record a free album for our fans. Individually we have been quarantined for 14 days and this idea of writing, producing and releasing an album in the 14 day period seemed like quite an effort and a distraction for us. In return fans from around the world contributed to our Gofundme and it has been an amazingingly rewarding experience.
I hope our fans enjoy the album and the music we have written. I followed no rules, I wrote what I was feeling regardless of style or genre and used my feelings of fear, hope, love and rebelliousness to fuel my creativity.
I have collaborations with LA Guns and Guns n Roses founding member, Tracii Guns on the song ‘Don’t Touch Me’ and several songwriting efforts with my label partner Guy Hale. I left the ‘rules’ on the floor and followed my heart.
I think these are some of the best songs I have written in years.”
MIKE ZITO AND FRIENDS
ROCK 'N' ROLL: A TRIBUTE TO CHUCK BERRY
DROPS NOV. 1st ON RUF RECORDS
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Zito’s upcoming album -- his 16th -- due this November on Ruf Records and descriptively titled Rock N Roll: A Tribute to Chuck Berry, finds him broadening his boundaries still further even as it marks a return to his roots. The album consists of 20 Chuck Berry classics performed by Zito and an impressive array of 21 guest guitarists, among them Joe Bonamassa, Walter Trout, Eric Gales, Robben Ford, Richard Fortus, Sonny Landreth, Luther Dickinson, Albert Castiglia, Anders Osborne, and significantly, Chuck’s grandson, Charlie Berry III.
“This was a very special project for me,” Zito says. “I was born and raised in St. Louis, I lived there for 32 years, home of Chuck Berry. I worked at a small musical instrument store where his drummer also happened to be employed. Chuck’s son would drop by on occasion as did Chuck himself a few times. Johnny Johnson came to that store and taught me piano licks. I was fortunate enough to open for and play with Chuck Berry on occasion at the Duck Room. He was an icon, and rightfully so. I’ve been playing his songs since I was a kid. Needless to say, he was a tremendous influence on my career, and, of course, on many other musicians’ as well.”
Produced by Zito himself, the album was recorded at his own Marz Studio and mixed and mastered by David Farrell. “We recorded the basic tracks and then sent them to each guest musician,” Zito recalls. “They added their contributions and then sent the files back to us. The process took a year to complete.”
On Rock N Roll: A Tribute to Chuck Berry, Mike Zito does what he does best, make an album that’s humble, heartfelt, skilled and sublime....and, to paraphrase Chuck himself, letting it rock all at the same time.
🎸Rock N Roll: A Tribute to Chuck Berry
• St Louis Blues
Charlie Berry III (Chuck's grandson)
• Back In The USA
Eric Gales
• Johnny B Goode
Walter Trout
• Memphis
Anders Osborne
• Monkey Business
Luther Dickinson
• You Never Can Tell
Robben Ford
• Rock N Roll Music
Joanna Connor
• Promised Land
Tinsley Ellis
• Reeling and Rocking
Tommy Castro
• Schools Days
Ally Venable
• No Particular Place To Go
Jeremiah Johnson
• Downbound Train
Alex Skolnick (Testament)
• Maybelline
Richard Fortus (Guns n Roses)
• Havana Moon
Sonny Landreth
• Thirty Days
Albert Castiglia
• Brown Eyed Handsome Man
Josh Smith / Kirk Fletcher
• Wee Wee Hours
Joe Bonamassa
• I Want To Be Your Driver
Ryan Perry
• My Ding-a-Ling
Kid Andersen
• Let It Rock
Jimmy Vivino
Rock Blues Artist of the Year
39th Annual Blues Music Awards!
