Ruthie Foster facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ruthie Foster
|
|
|---|---|
Foster performing at The Living Room in New York City; January 24, 2007
|
|
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Ruthie Cecelia Foster |
| Born | February 10, 1964 Gause, Texas, U.S. |
| Genres | Blues, folk, gospel blues |
| Occupation(s) | Musician, songwriter |
| Instruments | Vocals, guitar |
| Years active | 1997–present |
| Labels | Sun Records, Blue Corn Music, M.O.D. Records |
| Associated acts | The Blind Boys of Alabama, Warren Haynes Band |
Ruthie Cecelia Foster, born on February 10, 1964, is an American singer and songwriter. She is known for her blues and folk music. Ruthie blends many American music styles. These include gospel, blues, jazz, folk, and soul. People often compare her to famous singers like Bonnie Raitt and Aretha Franklin. Ruthie has been nominated for several Grammy Awards. She won her first Grammy Award on February 2, 2025.
Contents
Ruthie Foster's Early Life and Music Journey
Ruthie Foster grew up in Gause, Texas. Her family was full of gospel singers. When she was 14, Ruthie was a soloist in her church choir. She knew then that music would be her future. After high school, she moved to Waco, Texas. There, she studied music and audio engineering at McLennan Community College. She started singing in a blues band. This helped her learn how to perform on stage in Texas bars.
Ruthie wanted to travel and see more of the world. So, she joined the United States Navy. She soon became a singer in the naval band called Pride. This band played pop and funk songs. They performed at events to encourage people to join the Navy. After her time in the Navy, Ruthie moved to New York City. She often performed at local folk music places.
Atlantic Records noticed Ruthie's talent. They offered her a music deal. They wanted her to become a pop star. But Ruthie was more interested in American roots music. This was the music she grew up with. In 1993, her mother became ill. Ruthie left New York and her music deal. She went back to Texas to be with her family. She worked at a TV station while caring for her mother. Her mother passed away in 1996.
Ruthie Foster's Music Career
In 1997, Ruthie released her first album, Full Circle. This album was a success. It led to a long partnership with the record label Blue Corn Music. Blue Corn Music released her next album, Crossover, in 1999. Then came Runaway Soul in 2002. In 2004, they released Stages, which had live songs.
Ruthie's album Heal Yourself came out in 2006. Her studio album, The Phenomenal Ruthie Foster, followed in 2008. This album was produced by Papa Mali. In 2009, Blue Corn released The Truth According to Ruthie Foster. This album was produced by Grammy-winning producer Chris Goldsmith. It was recorded in Memphis. The Truth According to Ruthie Foster was nominated for a Grammy Award. It was for Best Contemporary Blues Album.
Live Performances and More Albums
A second album of Ruthie's live performances was released in 2011. It was called Live At Antone's. It came out as both a CD and a DVD. In 2012, Blue Corn released the studio album Let It Burn. This album featured special guests. These included The Blind Boys of Alabama and William Bell. The rhythm section from the Funky Meters also played on it. This album was produced by Grammy Award winner John Chelew.
Let It Burn earned Ruthie her second Grammy nomination. This time it was for Best Blues Album. This album also helped her win many Blues Music Awards.
Awards and Recognition
Ruthie Foster has received many awards. She has three Grammy nominations. These are for Let It Burn, The Truth According to Ruthie Foster, and Promise of a Brand New Day. She has won many Blues Music Awards. This includes three awards for Best Female Vocalist. She also won DVD of the Year for Live At Antone's. In 2013, she was named Best Female Vocalist at the Austin Music Awards.
In 2016, she was nominated for two Living Blues Awards. She won the Koko Taylor Award for Best Traditional Female Blues Artist. She was also nominated for Best Live Performer by the Living Blues Awards. In 2018, she received a US Artists fellowship award. This award recognized her important contributions to music. It also came with a $50,000 award. In 2019, she was inducted into the Texas Music Hall of Fame.
Touring and Collaborations
Ruthie performed with The Allman Brothers Band in 2012. This was at their annual shows at the Beacon Theatre in New York City. She sang on four songs. One was a cover of "The Weight". She sang verses with Susan Tedeschi on that song. Ruthie has toured with the Blind Boys of Alabama. She has also toured with Warren Haynes. She appears on Haynes' album Man In Motion.
In February 2013, she was a special guest on a radio show. It was called The BluesMobile. In November 2012, she appeared in a video short. It was called Austin Live: Tick Tock. She performed at a special event in Washington D.C. in January 2013.
Ruthie continues to travel and perform around the world. By 2016, her shows had taken her across the U.S. She also performed in Italy, Germany, Spain, and Cuba.
In November 2016, Ruthie shared details about her 2017 album. That album, Joy Comes Back, was released on March 24, 2017. It was released through Blue Corn Records. It included collaborations with several artists. One was Derek Trucks from the Tedeschi Trucks Band. After Hurricane Harvey hit Texas, Ruthie helped. She was invited to a benefit concert. Other artists like Bonnie Raitt and Willie Nelson also performed. A big moment for Ruthie was performing at Carnegie Hall in February 2018.
Ruthie Foster won the 2025 Grammy Award. It was for Best Contemporary Blues Album. She won for her album Mileage.
Ruthie Foster's Albums
- Full Circle (1997)
- Crossover (1999)
- Runaway Soul (2002)
- Stages (2004)
- The Phenomenal Ruthie Foster (2007)
- The Truth According to Ruthie Foster (2009)
- Live at Antone's (2011)
- Let It Burn (2012)
- Promise of a Brand New Day (2014)
- Joy Comes Back (2017)
- Live at the Paramount (2020)
- Healing Time (2022)
- Mileage (2024)
Awards and Honors for Ruthie Foster
- 2008 Blues Music Awards Nominee – Traditional Blues Female Artist of the Year
- 2009 Blues Music Awards Nominee – Traditional Blues Female Artist of the Year
- 2010 Grammy Award Nominee - The Truth According to Ruthie Foster for Best Contemporary Blues Album
- 2010 Blues Music Awards Winner – Contemporary Blues Female Artist of the Year
- 2010 Living Blues Critics' Poll Winner – Blues Artist of the Year (Female)
- 2011 Blues Music Awards Winner – Koko Taylor Award for Traditional Blues Female Artist of the Year
- 2011 Living Blues Awards Nominee – Blues Artist of the Year (Female)
- 2012 Blues Music Awards Winner: Koko Taylor Award for Traditional Blues Female Artist of the Year
- 2012 Blues Music Awards Winner: DVD of the Year for Live at Antone's
- 2012 Blues Music Awards Nominee: B.B. King Entertainer of the Year
- 2012 Grammy Award Nominee – Let It Burn for Best Blues Album
- 2013 Blues Music Awards Winner – Koko Taylor Award for Traditional Blues Female Artist of the Year
- 2014 Grammy Award Nominee - Promise of a Brand New Day for Best Blues Album
- 2015 Blues Music Awards Winner – Koko Taylor Award for Traditional Blues Female Artist of the Year
- 2016 Living Blues Award Nominee - Blues Artist of the Year (Female) and Best Live Performer
- 2016 Blues Music Awards Winner – Koko Taylor Award for Traditional Blues Female Artist of the Year
- 2018 US Artists Fellowship Award
- 2018 Blues Music Award Winner - Koko Taylor Award for Traditional Blues Female Artist of the Year
- 2019 Texas Music Hall of Fame Inductee (Austin Music Awards)
- 2019 Blues Music Award Winner - Koko Taylor Award (Traditional Blues Female)
- 2023 Blues Music Award Winner - Contemporary Blues Female Artist of the Year
- 2025 Grammy Award winner - Mileage for Best Contemporary Blues Album
See also
In Spanish: Ruthie Foster para niños
