My new album “mileage” is out now on sun records
My new album “mileage” is out now on sun records
As the milestone tenth studio album from blues luminary Ruthie Foster, Mileage finds the singer-songwriter reflecting on a life full of professional triumphs, personal loss, and a musical journey that took a self-described “little Black girl with a guitar” from singing at churches in rural Texas to chalking up multiple Grammy nominations and collaborating with fellow greats such as Susan Tedeschi and Derek Trucks.
Working alongside acclaimed producer Tyler Bryant (of Tyler Bryant & the Shakedown fame), Foster unveils a collection of songs that was born from heartfelt conversations about her story. When the two native Texans first sat down (joined by Rebecca Lovell, Bryant’s wife and one-half of the duo Larkin Poe) to work on a song together, they were still warming up to each other as songwriters and feeling out the possibility of a full project. As the ideas, lyrics, and melodies began to flow, the album that emerged is one that reverberates with a beautiful creative synergy.
“One of the things I loved most about working with Ruthie was hearing her story,” said Bryant. “Every writing session started with a conversation and my wife Rebecca and I were both continuously inspired by Ruthie’s way of speaking her unique truth in song. I learned quickly to just have the microphones on, ‘cause when Ruthie starts singing, it’s gonna be a moment worth capturing.”
Even when she wasn’t singing, it was often the way Ruthie would speak her truth in conversation that became the inspiration for a song. The trio were kicking around the idea of a traveling song and the topic of Ruthie’s age came up. “I told them, ‘Honey, I got mileage!’ and Tyler’s ears perked up,” Ruthie laughs. “He said, ‘That’s a song!’” And thus the wide-open road, wide-open heart title track was born.
The album’s soulful first single, “Rainbow,” is a hopeful message of simply letting love be love. “People ask me what is love?” sings Foster. “I just point to you. People get so hung up; I just run to you.” It’s a powerful message from a queer Black female artist speaking to her journey through love and life.
Mileage marks a profound collaboration with Sun Records, intertwining Foster's narrative with the legendary label's rich tapestry of musical history and inviting listeners to embark on a soul-stirring voyage through the heartland of American music. Foster's partnership with Sun signifies a union of past influences and future aspirations, echoing the label's commitment to fostering unique voices and timeless artistry.
With nods to musical legends and heartfelt tributes to her roots, Mileage is more than just an album—it's an invitation to take part in a conversation about memories, emotions, and shared humanity. It’s a reminder that every journey, no matter how far, eventually takes us home.
News
News
I've been a busy bee getting new music ready for you all! I had the wonderful opportunity to write with the very talented couple Rebecca Lovell (of Larkin Poe) and Tyler Bryant (of The Shakedown). The song "Rainbow" started from a conversation and ended up recorded in their studio soon after! The song organically moved into asking the question, "what is love?" Rainbow is not just another song about love but seeing love through. It's also about what love looks like to me without having to apologize or explain. Hopefully this song rings sweet and true for all of you!
Rainbow is OUT NOW! This is the first single from my upcoming album Mileage, which will be released on Sun Records on August 23rd. You can pre-save or pre-order the album now! Check my official store for vinyl, CDs & shirts!
Listen to the song “Rainbow”, watch the "Rainbow" Lyric Video, or pre-order the album "Mileage” here: https://linktr.ee/ruthiefoster
Enjoy!
Order or listen to the new album “Healing Time” HERE
Check Ruthie’s Official Store for signed CDs and other new merch
Ruthie Foster will get a star on the sidewalk outside the Paramount Theatre in Austin, TX on Nov. 19, with a concert in the historic venue to follow that evening. A 6 p.m. unveiling ceremony will be free and open to the public.
Foster is just the sixth artist to be honored on the Paramount sidewalk. Musicians Jerry Jeff Walker, Lyle Lovett and Delbert McClinton have stars, along with "Greater Tuna" creators Jaston Williams and Joe Sears.
Ruthie Foster has been nominated for her 4th Grammy, this time with the Big Band! "Live at the Paramount” is up for Best Contemporary Blues Album.
Ruthie's new Big Band album "Live at The Paramount" is out now, and it hit #1 on the Billboard Blues charts! Listen to the album on Spotify, Apple or Amazon, or order a physical CD from Ruthie's online store orcd.co/ruthiefosterbigband
You can also watch the videos of each song performed at the Paramount: geni.us/RuthieBigBandVideos
Ruthie Foster has announced a new album "Live at the Paramount" that will be coming out on May 15th. Ruthie and the Big Band recorded and filmed it from her hometown of Austin, TX. Pre-save the album on Spotify, or pre-order on iTunes or Amazon and get the first 2 songs “Phenomenal Woman” and “Mack the Knife” instantly! Watch the show online as Ruthie releases each song.
Living Blues Magazine has nominated Ruthie for another award - this year in the category of Best Live Performer. Voting is open until July 15. Click here to cast your vote for Ruthie!
Ruthie is very excited to be featured as the inaugural performance at the brand new Levitt Sioux Falls! The performance is a part of the grand opening on June 14, and will be followed by several other free performances for the remainder of the summer. To read more about Ruthie’s performance click here, and to read more about the opening of the new venue, click here.
Ruthie is the winner of The Blues Foundation's 'Koko Taylor Award' for Traditional Blues Female Artist! She has now won or been nominated for the award for 4 straight years. Click this link for the full list of winners.
Throughout the course of just a few weeks, Ruthie is making trips across three different continents! With a busy summer ahead, click here to find a show near you.
On February 27th, Ruthie was inducted into the Austin Music Awards’ Texas Music Hall of Fame. She was unable to attend as she was on the Keeping the Blues Alive at Sea cruise, but her label manager and friend Denby Auble accepted on her behalf. Ruthie’s drummer, Brannen Temple won the drums/percussion category as well. Click here for the full awards list.
30A released their Folk Alley Sessions from the 2018 edition of the festival in January. “Joy Comes Back” can be viewed above, and click here to view the other feature, “Runaway Soul.”
Ruthie is very honored to be nominated again for The Blues Foundation's Koko Taylor Award (Best Traditional Blues Female Artist). If you are a Blues Foundation member and would like to vote for Ruthie, voting closes at the end of February. Click here to vote.
Ruthie Foster brought the house down with her take on Ray Charles' classic "Georgia on My Mind" at the Austin City Limits Hall of Fame New Year's Special 2018 on PBS. Click the video above to enjoy!
Be sure to tune into PBS on New Years Eve to catch Ruthie alongside Gary Clark Jr. on a special Austin City Limits program! For more info, check out the Rolling Stone’s preview of the show here.
Ruthie has been nominated for the Texas Music Hall of Fame, alongside many other great Texan acts. For more info click the image above, and to cast your vote, click HERE.
Ruthie is honored to be included as a featured performer at this year's Austin City Limits Hall of Fame induction ceremony, which includes inductions for Marcia Ball, Ray Charles, and Los Lobos. For more info, click here.
Ruthie is featured in BRIC Celebrate Brooklyn Festival’s artist interview series, where she talks a bit about her craft and some of her favorite things. Click here to watch!
Take a look as Ruthie performs and talks through several aspects of her career dating back to the very beginning.
Join Ruthie, Eric Nadel, and Seth Walker in Havana for the trip of a lifetime, February 6-12, 2019! For a full look at the itinerary for this action-packed trip, including the perfect blend of music, sports, and tourism, click here!
Ruthie is honored to be nominated yet again for TWO Living Blues awards! Make sure to get your votes in for 'Female Blues Artist of the Year' and 'Best Live Performer' before the deadline on July 15th. Click here to vote.
Join Ruthie at one of the many festivals she's playing this summer! The festival season kicked off in New Orleans at Jazz Fest (pictured above). Looking forward into June, you can see Ruthie at Quebec's Festival Des Guitares Du Monde or on the west coast at Waterfront Blues Fest and High Sierra Music Fest. Later in the summer, Ruthie makes her way to several festivals across Europe and Canada! Find the full list of dates here.
Once again, Ruthie is the winner of The Blues Foundation's 'Koko Taylor Award' for Traditional Blues Female Artist! This is Ruthie's seventh Blues Foundation award, several of which have been the Koko Taylor Award. For more info, click here, or on the picture above.
Ruthie has been awarded a fellowship via US Artists, recognizing her for her contribution to the field of music. Fellowships are $50,000 unrestricted awards which allow them to decide how to best support their lives. Read more about the fellowship by clicking here.
The 2018 International Folk Music Awards show at the Folly Theater, presented in partnership with Folk Music Canada, featured Ruthie as a host, along with performances and appearances from John Oates, Guy Davis, Giri and Uma Peters, and The Kingston Trio.
Following a very successful show with the North Mississippi Allstars at Carnegie Hall's 'Zankel Hall,' ZealNYC writer Christopher Johnson highlights Ruthie's performance where "she commands a stage as completely as Judy Garland or Janis Joplin did, but with unfailing grace and good cheer." Click here to read the full article.
For consecutive years, Ruthie Foster has been nominated for multiple Blues Music awards. This year, she is nominated alongside artists Annika Chambers, Diunna Greenleaf, Janiva Magness, and Miss Freddye for both the 'Traditional Blues Female Artist' award and the Koko Taylor Award. The winners will be announced on May 10th in Memphis at the 39th annual ceremony. To see all of the nominations, click the image above.
No Depression's staff narrowed down their top picks from 2017 to a shortlist - which includes Ruthie's Joy Comes Back! Here's what they had to say about the album: "Ruthie Foster sings joyously of love, healing, and hope in this collection of down-to-the-bone soul songs" - for the full article, click HERE.
Gary Stoller, writer for 'No Depression,' takes a look at the connections and collaborations that led to Ruthie's most recent album, 'Joy Comes Back.' He mentions that the songs are "creative, warm, and flow smoothly from track to track." Take a look at this insightful article by clicking HERE.
The 'Harvey Can't Mess with Texas' benefit concert raised millions of dollars to support relief efforts for those affected by Hurricane Harvey. Ruthie was featured, alongside Bonnie Raitt, in the show which was headlined by acts such as Willie Nelson, Paul Simon, James Taylor, Leon Bridges, and Lyle Lovett. Ruthie's performance was mentioned as one of the "greatest moments" of the evening in THIS article.
As a part of Amazon's original playlist series, the playlist Open Road is intended for those looking to "hit the road with new takes on classic tunes." Check out Ruthie's cover - Smokey Robinson's Cruisin' - from the playlist HERE.
Ruthie is ecstatic to be nominated for two Living Blues Magazine awards this year. Be sure to vote for Ruthie for both "Best Female Blues Artist" and "Best Live Performer." CLICK HERE or on the picture to vote! Voting closes July 15.
You can watch her live performance HERE.
The Chris Stapleton cover can be found on Ruthie's new album Joy Comes Back.
In case you missed it, you can watch Ruthie's Mountain Stage performance here.
Make sure to check out the interview for NPR's Songs We Love here.
Three-time Grammy Nominee, Ruthie Foster, transforms sorrow into career-defining soul/blues/gospel/rock opus, Joy Comes Back, releasing March 24th on Blue Corn Records.
To find out more about The Door and how they help the youth of NYC, click here.
At the end of August Ruthie will go on a musical adventure through Cuba with Seth Walker and YOU can be a part of it. There aren't many spots left but if you want to grab one of the last ones available, click here.
Ruthie recently played the Strawberry Festival in Jamestown, CA along with the the Triple Door in Seattle, WA and Sisters Folk Fest in Sisters, OR. She also has some exciting dates in the Northeast coming up, including: Naked Soul in NYC, FreshGrass outside of Boston, MA, and Levon Helm's Studio in upstate New York! Check out the tour dates page to see if she's coming to a town near you soon.
Ruthie and the band just got back from another successful run through Europe! They performed in Italy, Spain, and Germany while in Europe and captured some awesome shots along the way.
Ruthie has been nominated for TWO Living Blues Awards this year: Blues Artist of the Year (Female) and Best Live Performer. Make sure to vote for her by going to http://www.livingblues.com/ and hitting the "Vote" button!
Ruthie is gearing up for her summer 2016 European tour, which features some great festivals and has her playing with some great people - Buddy Guy, Taj Mahal and Keb Mo- plus a lot of dates in Italy and the band's first trip ever to the Canary Islands!
Ruthie won the Koko Taylor award for the 6th year in a row. The award is given out at the The Blues Music Awards. Ruthie had the pleasure of performing during the awards (pictured above).
Ruthie Foster and Seth Walker invite you to accompany them on their historic, first visit to Cuba, with Texas Rangers Hall of Fame radio announcer Eric Nadel as your guide. Join these great young American musicians for a landmark meeting between the people of Havana and this quintessential American blues tradition! Click the photo above to learn more.
Ruthie has been nominated for the Koko Taylor Award for Best Traditional Female Blues Artist. This will be her sixth consecutive blues award nomination. To see all of the nominees for the 37th Annual Blues Music Awards click here.
Ruthie took the time to curate a playlist with all of her favorite holiday tunes. Click the photo above to take a listen on Spotify!
Ruthie's performance with Austin's award winning choral group, Conspirare, is now available for download and purchase. Click the picture above to purchase!
A great shot from the road of Ruthie playing at the City Winery in Napa, CA recently!
Ruthie Foster joins The Funky Meters in headlining the Crescent City Blues and BBQ Fest in New Orleans, LA. To read more about the festival click here.
Possibly the best photo from Pontedvedra, Spain. It was so beautiful!
Ruthie was awarded the 2015 Koko Taylor Award (Traditional Blues Female) at the 36th Blues Music Awards. The Blues Music Awards are universally known as the highest honor awarded to blues artists. Read more about the other winners here.
More good news for Ruthie Foster! Ruthie has received a nomination for the Koko Taylor Award, honoring notable female blues artists, in the Blues Music Awards ceremony to be held May 7, 2014 in Memphis.
Check out the full list of nominations HERE
Tonight’s episode of the hit CBS show Criminal Minds will feature Ruthie’s version of “Lord, Remember Me” from her album “Let It Burn”! Be sure to tune in at 9pm EST/8pm CST and listen for the song!
We are thrilled to announce that Ruthie’s album ‘Promise of a Brand New Day’ has been nominated for a Grammy Award in the Best Blues Album category! This is Ruthie’s third Grammy nomination in a row!
Check out the complete list of categories and nominees here
Ruthie is proud to be a part of “All Is Bright”, an exclusive holiday playlist featuring 43 new songs by various artists presented by Amazon Music! Ruthie has included her rendition of “Amazing Grace”, click HERE to check it out!
Check out the article No Depression wrote on Ruthie and her new record! Click HERE to view
The Académie Charles-Cros in France has chosen to honor Ruthie’s album “Promise Of A Brand New Day” with the premier French award for musical recordings – its 2014 Grand Prix du Disque for Blues!
The Académie Charles-Cros is an organization composed of 50 members specializing in music criticism, sound recording, and culture. Each year since 1948, the Académie has awarded prizes in the field of popular song, classical music, jazz, blues and other categories of recorded music.
Past winners of the Blues award include Mavis Staples and Charles Bradley, so Ruthie is in great company!
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