10/15/2026
Curtis Salgado has been a guest on my podcast twice thus far in our three and a half year run. Each time, I have threatened (promised) that if/when he got into or close to Michigan, I was comin out to support him. Well a couple weeks ago, I saw a post that he and the boys would be in Toledo for a quick little stopover on Tuesday the 13th. I reached out to his touring manager, Michael Crider, and he set me up with a pass to come and shoot. I purchased three tickets, and asked Mike to keep my arrival a secret. Well, y'all know me....I can't keep secrets, so I ended up calling Curtis Monday to spill the beans.
The venue is called The Ottawa Tavern in Toledo, "your local dive bar", and it fits the description. A quaint, divy, fun, place with GREAT service (thank you, Emily), and my new friend, Christian Voyles at the door. It's not big at all, and the turnout was what one would expect for a Tuesday engagement....but lemme tell you, Curtis and his band came to play!
The evening opened with a local gent, Pat Lewandowski. He treated us to some solo acoustic guitar blues, with a bit of funk and maybe a taste of rock...but he was a crowd pleaser. Shortly after he completed his set, the Curtis Salgado band took the stage and brought the crowd to their feet. Mike told me that Curtis is known for one thing.....delivering the goods. Whether it's ten people or ten thousand, Salgado gives the same show with the same intensity, and his band absolutely is with him!
Featuring Ben Rice on guitar (WOW, can THIS guy play!), Erik Madsen also on guitar, John Wolcott on bass, and Alec Donn on drums, these guys delivered a solid two hour performance of Curtis's old and new tunes. Seeing him on stage is almost like goin' to church, with his deep, soulful songs....and I found myself sitting there just smiling for much of the night, because his show was just that good! At 72 years young, his program belies his age, as he moved all over that small stage, belting out tunes, blowin' harp and making sure his audience was feeling every ounce of his emotion along the way. This performance would have been a bargain at twice the price!
So glad I got a chance to see Curtis live for the first time. I look forward to more opportunities. Many thanks to my travelin' buddies....Denise Lynch and Roger Gentry, and to my husband Garrett for the company Tuesday evening. Whatta blast!!! Enjoy the photos, and if you get down to Ottawa Tavern sometime for a Blues event, tell Christian that Erv sent you!!!! (Thank you for the hospitality, Sir!)
