Bluesdays: Curtis Salgado

Curtis Salgado will perform at Bluesdays in The Village at Squaw Valley.

Here’s something truly paradoxical about a Portland blues artist: Curtis Salgado is one of the most soulful, passionate and award-winning singers alive, and his greatest hit in years is a love song to a dog.

“I Want My Dog To Live Longer (The Greatest Wish)” is getting radio play all across the nation. Anyone who has outlived their canine companion can related to the tune, part of the new album, “Rough Cut,” recorded by Salgado and his longtime guitarist Alan Hagar. The record has been near the top of the charts for weeks and is a stripped-down contrast to Salgado’s more crooning albums from recent years.

Salgado was the inspiration for John Belushi and “The Blues Brothers.” The actor was in Eugene, Oregon, making the movie “Animal House” when he saw Salgado perform. He created the character Joliet Jake Blues based on Salgado’s onstage persona.

2016 was a singular year for Salgado. He survived emergency quadruple bypass surgery and two months later swept the Blues Music Awards with honors, including his fourth for Soul Blues Artist of the Year.”

This year, he has been nominated for Soul Male Artist. In 2019, he and Hager are almost certain to be nominated for Traditional Blues Album.