A news release from Curtis Salgado's longtime friend and manager Shane Tappendorf just announced Salgado has been diagnosed with liver cancer and has begun preparations for treatment.
Salgado who is battling a chronic liver condition will receive treatments next month with the hope of a liver transplant surgery in the future.
"I am fortunate to be under the care of an incredible team of doctors and nurses and am inspired by the courageous people that have faced this fight before me," the 52-year-old performer said from his home this week via a released statement. "I am also extremely grateful for the overwhelming support from my family and friends."
A concert performance in Spokane has been rescheduled for June 3 and doctors are confident that Curtis and his band will be able to continue to perform this year.
The singer-songwriter and harmonica idol was raised in Eugene, Ore., where he is best known as the inspiration for John Belushi's character of Joliet Jake in the Blues Brothers as well as his six year involvement with the Robert Cray Band. Salgado went on to become a member of the Grammy Award winning band Roomful of Blues and enjoyed a short stint as vocalist for Santana. The former Handy Award nominee has currently been working in Nashville, Tenn., on new material for his next album as a follow-up to his last three critically acclaimed CDs for Shanachie Entertainment.
A special account has been created for donations to help Salgado with medical costs and an all-star benefit concert is also being planned. Donations can be made for the "Curtis Salgado Fund" at any US Bank or can be mailed to US Bancorp, 2550 NW 188th Avenue, Hillsboro, OR 97124. For additional information, please visit Salgado's Web site.