Award-winning actor, writer, and comedian Bill Murray has experienced many career highs. He’s been a cast member of Saturday Night Live, joining in the second season of the show. He’s worked with director Harold Ramis on several American favorites like Caddyshack and Stripes, and introduced a new generation to his work with Sofia Coppola’s Lost in Translation, and several quirky characters in 10 Wes Anderson films.
By joining forces with guitarists Mike Zito, Albert Castiglia, and former Conan O’Brien musical director and bandleader, Jimmy Vivino, Murray is returning to one of his great loves, music. Once the lead singer of his high school band, The Dutch Masters, he’s now bringing his Bill Murray and His Blood Brothers band to the Louisville Palace (625 S. 4th St.) on Sunday, Nov. 9. Tickets can be purchased via Ticketmaster.
According to their bio, both Mike Zito and Albert Castiglia consider themselves true “blood brothers” in life, and in the music on which they collaborate. Adding the seasoned work of Jimmy Vivino, rounded out their band for a blues and classic rock experience fans won’t forget.
Louisville Independent caught up with the band via email to ask a few questions about their work and upcoming show in Louisville.
Interview edited for clarity.
Louisville Independent: How did the members meet? Both Zito and Castiglia have overlap with Ruf records, and Murray had been a singer in a band previously, so I’d like a bit of background on how the project began and how Jimmy Vivino came to the band.
Jimmy Vivino: Mike signed me to his label, Gulf Coast, we became great phone friends and I played on his Chuck Berry record. I’ve known the Murray Brothers since our heavy hangs in the 70s as well as their Caddyshack tournaments the last few years.
Bill Murray: It all began at the annual Murray Bros. Caddyshack Charity golf tournament in Florida… Our guy hooked with Mike, Albert and Jimmy Vivino and we just jammed on a few songs for the after golf concert. It was fun and Mike mentioned we should do a few shows, and here we are.
Albert Castigliani: Zito and I met Bill’s brother John, through Chris “Bad News” Barnes. John became a fan of ours and told Bill about us. Bill invited us to jam at The Murray Brothers Caddyshack golf tournament April of 2024. Jimmy V was the master of ceremonies and running the jam. Bill did songs with us. John said Bill had a great time and after that, he crashed our gigs in Vegas and Charlotte, NC. Shortly after the Charlotte gig in November 2024, he expressed an interest in touring with us. We obliged, and the rest is history!
Mike Zito: Albert and I have been friends for a very long time. We always enjoyed jamming and playing music together. After many years, we decided it would be fun to form a group together, kind of melding both of our bands. That’s where we became the Blood Brothers.
We released our first album together in 2023. We became friends with Bill in 2024 at the annual Caddyshack Charity Golf Tournament. Bill performed with the band and we had such a good time, we asked Bill to join the band, and lo and behold, he accepted.
Having been a singer in a band previously, what drew Murray back to this (and how does he view his relationship to music, and blues in particular)
Castigliani: I think it was the players. He knows that we have his back, that we’re going to kick ass and roll with him, no matter what happens on stage. Bill and music is a love affair. He is an audiophile with a deep knowledge of deep tracks. He knows the blues, but his depth of knowledge in Rock and Roll and R & B is really deep. Country too! I’ve gotten turned on to some real cool stuff since he joined the band.
Vivino, Zito, and Castiglia are known blues musicians. What about this project attracted them, and what would they like to see as the project moves forward?
Castigliani: It was a chance to work with someone who meant so much to us growing up. The characters he played in those movies, like “Meatballs,” “Stripes,” and “Ghostbusters,” inspired me to dream big and take chances. He’s been a joy to work with, and we’re going to ride this as long as he wants to keep doing it.
Murray: I have heard Mike Zito years back and then Albert a few times… Jimmy Vivino, I’ve known for quite some time… Once we jammed together and I felt the movement of the music, it really hit me that this could be a lot of fun.
Vivino: Bill was attracted to us as musicians, as we aren’t just blues musicians; we’re well-rounded players and knowledgeable in all things rock.
Zito: So, as you know, we had already put together this project with our bands. Once we got to know Bill and saw his interest in the project and our music, we asked him to join. We still perform and record together without Bill. We’re just really enjoying playing shows with Bill and having a blast on the road all together.
For all members, any previous relationship to Kentucky? (and or Louisville?) Murray has previous basketball connections, I believe.
Castigliani: I’ve played Kentucky for years, from Louisville to Kenlake to Henderson to Newport.
Vivino: I have a few friends from Louisville — Wayne Perkin and NRBQs Steve Ferguson & Terry Adams.
Murray: Louisville Basketball, The KY Derby… and I have a few friends I like to visit every once in a while around Louisville.
When fans come to the show, certainly many come because of a relationship to Murray’s work as an actor. How does the band work both with that, and how do they get these fans into the world of the blues and musician, not actor, Murray?
Vivino: Bill is happy when people recognize the band. We want the fans who didn’t know what to expect to walk away feeling satisfied.
Murray: We are here to play some really wonderful music with some really amazing/talented musicians.
Castigliani: There’s really nothing to work out. Bill just wants to be a part of the band, and we feed off his energy. It’s that simple. Most people that come to the shows have come to accept and realize that Bill’s not out there to do Nick Rails or Cheeburger Cheeburger, and they enjoy the serious musical side of him. If you can’t get off on Bill having a good time, there’s probably something wrong with you.
Best show on the tour? Worst? If not on the tour… any shows that have a touching or funny story.
Vivino: Both the Ryman in Nashville and Red Rocks in Colorado are magical places. But the Ryman was our best show yet.
Castigliani: The Ryman and Red Rocks are the co-champions. Even the worst gigs were pretty damn good, though. LOL
Murray: They have all been really fun… The Ryman was special for many reasons, of course, Chicago was a good one, but they all have been fun! The fans have been very engaged, and the band appreciates that.
Zito: We have had a lot of great shows, no bad shows. I would say the Red Rocks show was pretty tops for sure.
What should fans expect from the show at the Louisville Palace?
Vivino: Whatever you’re expecting, just be present
Castigliani: Mayhem!
Murray: A soulful rocking experience!
Zito: A very high-energy, fun show with a supremely talented group of musicians.
Tickets are on sale now via Ticketmaster!
