Tom Wendt

Article Reprint from the September, 2000 BluesNotes
by LynnAnn Hyde

Sometimes, a person's entire lifestyle is supportive of the Blues, as in Tom Wendt's case. Tom has a long history in Portland as a radio DJ (1974 was the year Tom got his own Blues show at KBOO), but Tom Wendt goes beyond a mere "hobby" of programming on public radio, and actualizes the term Blues Historian.

Tom began listening to Blues and related music in the south Bay Area during the mid-'60s. As a high school kid, he attended many great concerts at the old FILMORE in San Francisco, and he also listened avidly to any radio shows he could receive that aired Blues. Tom credits KPFA radio, (Berkley, CA) and Chris Strachwitz (founder of Arhoolie Records) with turning him on to great American Roots & Blues, and with hooking him up with resources for Blues music, history, and documentation. Tom has been educating Blues fans and promoting the Blues since high school (he played Muddy Waters during the lunch break over the school's PA system) and has shared his wonderful experiences with Blues greats like PeeWee Crayton, Sonny Terry & Brownie McGhee, and many more and with anyone else who shows an interest.

In the early '70s, he DJ'd at University of Portland, and came right into our homes with a weekly hour or two of Blues starting in 1973 with a shared show at KBOO. Tom carries out the great ORAL tradition of Blues history. It is his entire life that supports, promotes and preserves the Blues! Tom also goes to MANY live shows in Portland, even though he doesn't drive. In other words, Tom Wendt supports the endeavors of today's Blues scene as actively as he preserves our rich Blues heritage.

Tom has interviewed many legendary Blues artists, and is not shy about asking them for specific info about their recordings and live shows. "I enjoy the music even MORE knowing the history behind it. I am attracted to the beauty of the music, the aesthetic quality of this great ART" relates Tom.

Thanks so much to Tom, who did not understand WHY I wanted to profile him. He says, "It's just what I do!" If more folks did just what Tom does, we would be enjoying a richer, stronger, and longer-lived Blues community!