Ruthie Foster won her first Grammy Award this year for Best Contemporary Blues Album for the release Mileage. Her journey is as eclectic and vibrant as her soulful voice. Foster will perform songs from that album and many more of her blues, gospel, and folk tinged repertoire on Sunday, Aug. 31, 2025 at the John Coltrane International Jazz and Blues Festival.
Born into a family steeped in gospel tradition, Ruthie’s earliest influences were the voices of her mother, grandmother, and the gospel singers she grew up listening to — artists like the Gospel Keynotes and the Blind Boys of Alabama. Despite a deep love for music, Ruthie initially shied away from the spotlight, preferring to play guitar, piano, and write songs for others.
Rich Tapestry
Growing up in the rich musical tapestry of Gause, Texas, Ruthie found herself drawn to the diverse sounds and arrangements of local gospel choirs and musicians. Although reluctance to take center stage, Ruthie’s talent was undeniable, and her mother encouraged her to step up and sing out. She stood out as a young Black girl with a guitar in a choir scene dominated by pianos. With her grandmother’s vocal coaching and encouragement from her mother and the church community, she recognized her own power — as a songwriter, a musician, and as a captivating singer.
After studying music at a community college in Waco, Ruthie decided to take a break from music and enlist in the Navy. The stage drew her once more, and she was selected to sing for the Navy band Pride, where she honed her skills as a vocalist and performer. A development deal with Atlantic Records led her to New York City, where she immersed herself in the songwriting community and learned the craft of writing songs that spoke to the soul.
Musical Roots
However, the journey took a turn when her mother fell ill, prompting her to step back from music and return to Texas once again. It was a period of introspection, caregiving, and deep bonding with her mother. When Foster returned to writing and performing, it was to shape her voice as a singer-songwriter and storyteller. Drawing on her experiences and her musical roots, she began to craft a blend of blues, folk, and gospel songs that spoke to the universal themes of love, loss, and resilience.
Turning down a major record deal in pursuit of authenticity, Foster has stayed true to herself and her vision as an artist, signing with independent label Blue Corn Music to release Runaway Soul in 2002, followed by The Phenomenal Ruthie Foster in 2007, and her first Grammy nominated release, The Truth According to Ruthie Foster in 2009. She earned nominations for Best Blues Album for Let It Burn released in 2012 and Promise of a Brand New Day released in 2014. In 2020, Foster released Live at the Paramount. It was Grammy nominated for Best Contemporary Blues Album as well.
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