Raymond Salgado is looking to bigger and better things after his Canada's Got Talent performances. (Jordan Davidson/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

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‘I just tried to just ride the wave:’ Lantzville singer eyeing more performances after Canada’s Got Talent

Jun 1, 2023 | 5:18 AM

NANAIMO — A Lantzville singer’s dream of winning Canada’s Got Talent may be over, but he still has plenty on the go.

Raymond Salgado received a standing ovation from the judges when he first appeared on season two of Canada’s Got Talent, making it all the way to the finals.

During an interview on 102.3 The Wave, Salgado said he almost wasn’t able to audition for the show after a bout of COVID-19 in early 2022 left him without a voice.

“I had this really bad cough that was lingering. And then by early March I couldn’t sing for quite some time. When I got an email saying casting is available for season two, I was kind of skeptical about it, because I was like if I auditioned for this show, everything is relying on my voice so I really have to make sure it’s in top shape.”

Salgado’s application to be on the show was one of around 6,000 from all parts of the country.

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Show producers whittled the number down to a final 24 which would perform for the judges in Niagara Falls in fall 2022, before the live rounds began in the spring.

Salgado admitted he was unsure whether or not going back on television after his rejection from American Idol had a detrimental effect on his mental health.

“Going into reality TV again, the process of it all, I was kind of skeptical and I was like ‘I wonder if everything is going to go ok this time’. I just tried to just ride the wave and enjoy the experience of just being there because that alone was like a win in itself.”

His performance of Heaven by Bryan Adams, which aired on April 11, immediately cleared all doubts.

Salgado received a standing ovation from the crowd assembled and the judges, with Howie Mandel telling Salgado he was “the best we’ve heard”.

“It was so validating because I think I was really yearning for those four ‘yes’s’, and just being able to share my story of not giving up and just taking a risk and not living a life with regret. Once I went into the process I was like,’ you know what, even if I don’t any yes’s, and it’s impacting one person to just come up on stage, then that’s more than enough for me.”

In the next round, he performed a Michael Bublé cover, Feeling Good, again to a standing ovation and overwhelming praise from the judges.

The song was enough to earn enough audience votes into the final where Salgado picked a Sam Smith song, Lay Me Down.

“I have an admiration for Sam Smith every since they came out on the scene with Stay With Me I was an instant fan of him vocally, and when Lay Me Down came out I was like,’this is my go to belting song’.”

Salgado added the song also carries a personal meaning to him after his cousin lost a cancer battle a few years ago.

“I really wanted to do something in tribute to him because I know he would be really proud of me.”

The final votes didn’t go his way, but Salgado looks back on the experience fondly. He got the opportunity to tell his story, boost his profile and set himself up for a larger career in music.

He’s working on new, original music and planning for a busy summer.

“I’m planning to go back into the studio writing again. I have a few performances on the Island like the Silly Boat Regatta next month, I’m also going to be doing Pride in Victoria as well. A lot of really exciting things and hopefully performances outside of Canada as well.”

Salgado added one of the hardest parts of his experience was keeping results and details of the show secret from friends and family.

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