3/15/06

FOR RELEASE: IMMEDIATE
CONTACT: TAMARA CRONIN
DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC RELATIONS
304-387-8335 (OFFICE) 304-479-8097 (CELL)

CHESTER, WV - The Tower of Power returns to Mountaineer Casino Racetrack and Resort on April 6. The renowned horn-driven funk outfit's up-front brass section served as the prototype for today's retro-swing bands. While lending their singular horns to immortal tracks by Elton John, Rod Stewart, The Eurythmics and Phish, the Tower of Power truly shines in their concert appearances.

Described by one reviewer as "tighter than a clenched fist", the FRESNO BEE said "the band members let loose with an energy-filled show that left a sell-out crowd on its feet, dancing in the aisles and applauding with feeling for a band it's loved for more than 25 years."

The group has been issuing albums and touring the world steadily since the early 1970's, in addition to backing up countless other musicians. The group's leader since the beginning has always been tenor saxophonist Emilio Castillo, who was born in Detroit, but opted to pursue his musical dreams in Oakland, CA. He put together a group called the Motowns, which specialized in 60's-era soul. Castillo teamed up with a baritone sax player, Stephen "Doc" Kupka, and soon the Motowns had transformed into the "Tower of Power".

Tower of Power played regularly in the Bay area in the 1960's, but it all came together quickly for the group as 1972's Bump City would touch off a string of classic hit releases. The group has remained a much in demand backing group for some of pop/rock's biggest names including Santana, Bonnie Raitt, Huey Lewis, Michael Bolton and Aaron Neville.

The concert begins at 7:30 p.m. and will be located in the Grande Ballroom. Tickets are $35 - Gold and $25 - Reserved and are available through all Ticketmaster outlets or on site at Mountaineer at the Downtown Speakeasy Roarin' 20's Players Club.