High energy from start to finish, Matt & The Herdsmen is a talented five-man band providing audiences across the Lone Star state with original music that has captured the attention of radio, industry and listeners. Hot on the heels of their first Top 40 Texas single, “Miss My Chance,” this group is driving their success with grit, determination, and a lot of patience.
Led by Castillo, who formed The Herdsmen in 2013 with bandmates Everto “Beto” Cavazos (Guitar), Danny Salinas (Bass), and Ruben Cantu (Drums), they debuted in December 2014 with SMALL TOWN STORIES, produced by Charlie Vela (Dia Frampton of “The Voice”). Enlisting esteemed radio promoter Dillon Steen to introduce their catchy rhythmic music to radio, their first single, “Dance All Night” (#47), broke into the Top 50 on the Texas Regional Radio Report. The second single, "All Gone,” peaked at #88, while “Too Drunk Anyway” hit #46 and landed on the Top 200 songs of 2016.
With such success at radio, it’s no surprise that Matt & The Herdsmen were nominated at the 2016 Texas Regional Radio Music Awards for “New Band/Duo of the Year” alongside such hitmakers as Randy Rogers & Wade Bowen, William Clark Green, and Prophets and Outlaws. They also got a nod for “New Single of the Year” (“Dance All Night”) next to Aaron Watson, Josh Ward, Zane Williams and Deryl Dodd.
Having wrapped the recording of their sophomore album, STILL SANE (produced by Dave Percefull of Yellow Dog Studios in Wimberley, Texas), Castillo and crew are looking forward to the late summer release of an 11-song project that tells a riveting story of the ups and downs of relationships, heartbreak, love and redemption.
“Our music has a lot to do with the people close to me and my personal experiences,” said Castillo. “There are songs about what I have gone through and songs about what I’ve seen my friends go through. Songwriters always say, ‘Write what you know,’ and at times it’s hard to put my personal business out there but, if you’re in any genre of music, being open and honest is what comes with the territory.”
Matt & The Herdsmen have shared the stage with such top tier talent as Toby Keith, Clay Walker, Granger Smith, Jack Ingram, Randy Rogers Band, Cody Johnson Band, Casey Donahew band, Kyle Park, William Clark Green, Pat Green, and Mike and The Moonpies, Los Lonely Boys, and most recently The Eli Young Band.
Matt & The Herdsmen have been steadily increasing and establishing a loyal fan base across Texas with currently over 7,000 likes and visits across social media outlets. For all things Matt & The Herdsmen, be sure to engage with them via Spotify, Apple Music, Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and YouTube.