When Curtis Salgado says, “When you meet somebody like Tom Wendt, you realize you can’t even carry his lunch pail,” one takes note. Wendt has been the station’s volunteer blues DJ, hosting “Blues Power” (now called “Blues Junction”) since 1974. A lifelong student of the blues, Wendt credits KPFA in Berkeley and Chris Strachwitz of Arhoolie Records with turning him on to the blues. Through his vast selection of modern and rare recordings, Wendt has been instrumental in helping his audience learn about and enjoy the blues. It is that dedication to sharing the music that has made him a mainstay of the blues in the Portland area. Whether he’s at the stage absorbing a new blues performance or sharing his experiences about legends who have passed away, Wendt is truly a living blues historian.
