HOLY SMOKES!
I’m 8 days late going into panic mode! Yep, usually 60 days out, we start to panic. Making sure we didn’t forget something, (we will have cups for the hydration station), or that we didn’t get something to the printer in time, or arrange for artist interviews, or contests, or…………….. Yep, there are a lot of moving pieces in this festival and I feel like at the 60 days out point, they all start to slowly move and warm up for the big day.
So, I got a wild hair and decided to send the artists some questions along with their favorite videos of themselves and I received some pretty neat answers. Today, I thought I’d highlight Curtis Salgado.
Born in Everett, Washington, Curtis Salgado grew up in Eugene, Oregon. By his early 20s, he was already making a name for himself on Eugene’s bar scene with his band The Nighthawks, and later as co-leader of the Robert Cray Band. Salgado quickly developed into a player and singer of remarkable depth, with vocal and musical influences including Otis Redding, O.V. Wright, Muddy Waters, Little Walter, Sonny Boy Williamson I and II, Lightin Hopkins and Magic Sam. NPR calls him a “blues icon” with a “huge voice.”
In 1977, Salgado met actor John Belushi while the comedian was filming Animal House. Salgado and Belushi spent hours playing old records with Belushi soaking up the music like a sponge. He used his new blues knowledge to create The Blues Brothers.
Salgado joined Alligator Records in 2012, debuting with the award winning, critically acclaimed Soul Shot in 2012, followed by the Beautiful Lowdown in 2016. Salgado won three 2013 Blues Music Awards including the coveted B.B. King Entertainer Of The Year. He also won for Soul Blues Male Artist of the Year, and for Soul Blues Album of the Year. In 2017 Salgado won three more Blues Music Awards, Soul Blues Album of the Year, Song of the Year and Soul Blues Male Artist of the Year.
Flagstaff Blues: What song is the most fun to perform and why?
Curtis: I don’t think in terms of a favorite song over another song. I think in terms of performance and it’s usually a 90 minute plus set. There’s an old saying in showbiz…you’re only as good as your last performance. And when I leave the stage at the end of the program that’s when I now we kicked butt.
Flagstaff Blues: What is the best part of touring?
Curtis: When it comes time to perform and play music with my killer band.
Flagstaff Blues: When you aren’t playing or making music, what do you do to relax?
Curtis: I like to read history books and I like to watch documentaries or listen to music.
Curtis Salgado will take the stage with his band at 4:20 and I for one can hardly wait to hear him play.
Deb
