Ruthie Foster's musical journey is as eclectic and vibrant as her soulful voice. 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. However, her path to becoming a solo artist wasn't a straightforward one. Despite a deep love for music, Ruthie initially shied away from the spotlight, preferring to play guitar, piano, and write songs for others.

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The Grand Presents Ruthie Foster

The Grand Opera House

Ruthie Foster’s musical journey is as eclectic and vibrant as her soulful voice. 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. However, her path to becoming a solo artist wasn’t a straightforward one. Despite a deep love for music, Ruthie initially shied away from the spotlight, preferring to play guitar, piano, and writesongs for others.

Ruthie Foster

Acadiana Center for the Arts

Ruthie Foster‘s musical journey is as eclectic and vibrant as her soulful voice. She was born into a family steeped in gospel tradition. There, Ruthie’s earliest influences were the voices of her mother, grandmother, and the gospel singers she grew up listening to. For example, artists like the Gospel Keynotes and the Blind Boys of Alabama. However, her path to becoming a solo artist wasn’t a straightforward one. Despite a deep love for music, Ruthie initially shied away from the spotlight. She chose to play guitar, piano, and write songs for others.

Dakota

We are extremely pleased to welcome back to The Shedd Ruthie Foster, who stops with her band at Jaqua Concert Hall Friday July 25th on tour in support of her new CD, Mileage.

The Shedd Institute

In the tight-knit musical community of Austin, Texas, it’s tough to get away with posturing. You either bring it, or you don’t.

Ruthie Foster: Album Release

Music has always been a part of Ruthie Foster’s life. The singer/songwriter from Gause, Texas comes from a family of gospel singers and by the time she was 14, she was a soloist in her hometown choir. She attended community college in Waco, Texas, studying music and audio engineering and began fronting a blues band. Foster joined the Navy and sang in the naval band; after her service, she moved to New York, where she performed at folk venues around the city. She was offered a recording deal to sing pop music, but she wanted to perform the music of her youth. Throughout her storied career, Ruthie Foster has remained true to her roots.

Lyric Theatre

Ruthie Foster is a four-time Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter who mixes a wide palette of American song forms, from gospel and blues to jazz, folk and soul. Described by Rolling Stone as “pure magic to watch and hear,” her vocal talent was elevated in worship services at her community church. Drawing influence from legendary acts like Mavis Staples and Aretha Franklin, Foster developed a unique sound unable to be contained within a single genre. That uniqueness echoes a common theme in Ruthie’s life and career - marching to the beat of her own drum.

The Smith Center for the Performing Arts

Bass master Ruth Davies is a bona-fide blues legend, having toured and recorded with artists like John Lee Hooker, Jimmy Witherspoon, Bonnie Raitt, and more. Ruth is joined tonight by Texas vocal legend and three-time Grammy nominee Ruthie Foster, whose songwriting has garnered awards from Living Blues and the Austin Music Awards. Her voice is incredible, her storytelling superb, and her Texas blues guitar playing will knock you out

Ruthie Foster

Events

Past events

Oct 25, 2025

The Grand Presents Ruthie Foster · The Grand Opera House

Oct 3, 2025

Ruthie Foster · Acadiana Center for the Arts

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