Fans turned out in droves to enjoy the music of young blues-rock phenomenon Ty Curtis at the Safeway Waterfront Blues Festival last year.

With the festival now upon us – it starts today at Portland’s Tom McCall Waterfront Park and continues through July 4 – we thought we’d check in with Ty to see what’s up.

PRP: What’s new in your world?

TC: “I’m releasing my new album “Blame Me” July 1getting married soon after that, and looking forward to a busy summer with lots of fun in the sun and the pool.”

PRP: New music you’re listening to this year?

TC: “I really like a lot of different artists of all different styles, Damian Marley & Stephen Marley, Ky-Mani Marley, Alter Bridge, Pigeon Jon, Fuel, Sublime, Breaking Benjamin, Eric Gales and Glen Hughes. Those are all played in the car a lot – at loud volume.”

PRP: Any favorite blues artists or musicians you’re enjoying these days?

TC: “Absolutely! Robert Cray, Little Milton, Chris Cain, Albert King, Stevie Ray, Delbert McClinton, Oscar Peterson piano blues LP, Jimmy Reed boxed set, BB King, also Freddie King – I have a “Live at the Sugarbowl” DVD that’s epic and inspiring to watch!”

PRP: How has your last album “Water Under the Bridge” (a 2014 release) been selling? Which tracks have been most popular?

TC: “The last album has been very successful. Popular tracks are “Key to My Heart,” “Bad Break,” “Thief of Hearts” and “True Love,” a song I wrote for my fiancé.”

PRP: Any favorite artists you like performing with?

TC: “I got to sit in with Chris Cain, that was a very memorable moment for me in my guitar playing and singing. He’s an idol of mine, and the reason I got a Gibson 335.”

PRP: Besides your upcoming performances at Waterfront Blues Fest, what other shows are you looking forward to this summer?

TC: “Looking forward to all my showsseeing my friends and family and people that have helped me get to this point in my career! And definitely looking forward to Salishan Attic Lounge Show  August 6th – gonna get a massage!”

Ty Curtis plays the Driftin Blues Cruise July 4.

Check out Curtis’s sizzling new “Blame me:”

MusicNote Blame Me

The earnest and highly skilled blues guitarist is currently touring in the Pacific Northwest. Upcoming shows include Portland, Kaiser, Salem and Lincoln City. Find dates and locations here.

TyCurtis

Released today, you can find Curtis’s new album on iTunes.

Cynthia Orlando
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