“I love my work. I think that’s my fuel for all that fire onstage.”
So says Ruthie Foster, a captivating performer who uses her strong, soulful voice to inspire, lift and move audiences.
Foster combines elements of blues, folk, soul and gospel to create a distinctive style that has won her legions of fans both in the United States and abroad. During concerts, she exudes energy and passion while moving effortlessly from one powerful song to another.
This month, Foster comes to Harrisburg courtesy of the Susquehanna Folk Music Society. Unlike many shows at ABC’s Abbey Bar, this is a sit-down concert in a listening-room environment.
Although Foster often performs with a band, this show will be solo. She says that she is looking forward to the change in pace.
“I get more freedom with the direction of the show and can work with the energy in the room differently,” she said. “In some ways, playing solo is more relaxing than with the band and, in other ways, it’s more challenging.”
Foster is one of the most decorated blues artists performing today.
Besides her 2010, 2012 and 2014 Grammy nominations, she has been recognized by organizations such as the Austin Music Awards (2007, 2008 and 2013 Best Female Vocalist), Blues Music Awards (2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013), and the Living Blues Awards (2010 Critics’ Poll Winner and 2011 nominee for Blues Female Artist of the Year).
Foster said that she’s equally excited about all the awards that she receives.
“They’re all pretty awesome,” she said. “I don’t think I could pick a favorite. Being recognized is a great honor.”
A native of Gause, Texas, Foster is part of a large, gospel-singing family, and it’s obvious that many of her original songs are influenced by the full-throated and joyous music of her youth.
“Music was all around me growing up,” she said. “I sang with my relatives in church and started playing the organ before I could even reach the pedals. On the radio in Texas, I got to listen to everything from Conjunto to blues.”
All that listening led her to embrace a variety of styles.
“I think that there’s a little bit of everything in my work,” she said. “I love the old soul, blues and gospel singers like Etta James, Sam Cooke, Mahalia Jackson and Howlin’ Wolf. Along with my originals, when I perform, I also do some Mississippi John Hurt and even a traditional Georgia Sea Islands song called ‘Travelin Shoes.’”
Sometimes, she’ll throw in a cover song like Johnny Cash’s “Ring of Fire.” Her treatment of the song is so innovative that you might not even recognize this 1960s standard.
“I like to cover songs that are timeless and still relevant,” she said. “I look for songs that I can do a little something new with it and something that moves my spirit.”
Foster wrote about half the songs on her newest album, “Promise of a Brand New Day.” On the CD is a beautiful a capella song, “Brand New Day,” which she wrote for her grandmother.
“I wanted to dedicate this to her and her spirit,” she said. “In church, she used to tell us all the time to ‘follow the promise of a brand new day.’”
The CD was produced in Los Angeles by rapper and bassist Meshell Ndegeocello, whom Foster called “an inspiring artist” who was “very accommodating” in the studio.
“She made it very easy for me to just come in and sing,” Foster said. “Her playing was impeccable. I’m so proud of this record.”
Now living in Austin, Texas, Foster said that she doesn’t get as much time as she’d like to enjoy one of the country’s music meccas.
“I’m out of town so much, I really only get to play there a couple times a year at most,” she said. “But it’s a great place to live, and there is a whole lot of music going on there at any time.”
Ruthie Foster plays Oct. 16 at 7:30 p.m. at the Abbey Bar of the Appalachian Brewery Co., 50 N. Cameron St., Harrisburg. Tickets are $24 and $10 for students. For more information and tickets, visit www.sfmsfolk.org or call 800-838-3006. This concert is sponsored in part by the National Endowment for the Arts and the Lois Lehrman Grass Foundation.
Author: Jess Hayden
