Grammy Award-winner Ruthie Foster’s rich storytelling and authenticity have captivated and inspired audiences worldwide. Raised in gospel-steeped East Texas, her eclectic and vibrant musical journey includes performing in the US Navy band Pride before signing a development deal with Atlantic Records. Ruthie’s command of guitar and piano, along with her powerhouse vocals see her blend blues, folk, and gospel into a unique sound. After five previous Grammy nominations, she won her first Grammy in 2024 for Mileage.
Foster is in Australia on a tour that will culminate with a stellar performance at Blues on Broadbeach. Seven spoke to Foster in Melbourne at mid-tour after stops in WA, Geelong and ‘Tassie’ – spoken like a true Aussie.
Have you been to Australia very often?
I used to come a lot. I started about 15 years ago coming here on my own, then with a small band, then there was a big gap because I just wasn’t able to come down. I started back last year.
You are touring a new album?
I had one last year that won a Grammy, Mileage won the 2025 gong for Best Contemporary Blues Album, so we’re still touring that one.
How awful to win a Grammy – haha?
Yeah, that was pretty sweet! And I have a new one that’s going to drop later on this year that’s called Just Say Yes. So that’s going to be my next one.
Is there something different about coming to Australia and the audiences here?
You know, there’s such appreciation for whatever I do, whether it’s something new or something from the last 11 albums that I’ve put out, there’s just such a huge outpouring of love and appreciation, especially since I’ve been here – and a week after I landed I got really, really sick with tonsillitis and I’ve had such a beautiful outpouring of love and support and a great team who lifted me up and are getting me through that.
Is there anyone on the Blues on Broadbeach bill that you’re looking forward to seeing?
Oh yeah – The Teskey Brother, those guys.
Has your reality matched the vision you had of your career when you first started?
I think it has. Yeah, I did have a vision, you know. I think, as a young person, you see something… you know, I have a daughter, and I still remember her doing this. When I took her to see Annie. I remember her pointing to the stage and saying, ‘I want to do that’.
As a young person you see something that resonates with you. I knew it was something in the music industry. I knew that I had a place here. That there was a seat waiting for me somewhere. I knew that. So I just got busy saying ‘yes’ to everything I could, including running sound learning, learning about sound equipment, and it has all benefitted me. Yeah, every single class I’ve ever taken in music – I took commercial music – every class I benefit from, even when it comes to being able to communicate with my band, when it comes to key changes and time signatures and all of that.
So now that you’ve got the seat at the table, does it feel comfortable? Are you where you need to be right now today?
That changes day to day. I’m human, you know, and I have my, what do they call it? ‘Under the weather days’, or ‘over the moon’. I’m always trying to find a place to ground. But, overall yes, I know I’m at the right table.
What is your current earworm?
Oh my gosh, you know, right now it is probably Brandi Carlile. Vocally there’s a lot going on, I’m fascinated by what she does with her voice.
What’s inspiring you right now? What’s getting you out of bed?
What inspires me to get out of bed to perform music? Gosh! I have a high-schooler. I’m trying to get her through high school. You know, if it’s not me or something that inspires me, I do tend to go to my kiddo and that alone gets me out of bed.
Are you having enough fun?
Yeah. I find fun. But you know, for me, having downtime is what’s big for me. And in that downtime is when I find time to do the things that I like to do – really I like to read, I like my quiet time, I enjoy my own company. It’s nice to have the morning to myself. You actually get up and have a quiet breakfast – have a great conversation with a wonderful waiter. You know, that kind of thing.
You can catch Ruthie Foster at Blues on Broadbeach on Friday and Saturday – for more information, visit bluesonbroadbeach.com.
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