This year’s winner of the Best Contemporary Blues Album award at the 67th Annual GRAMMY Awards for her critically acclaimed album Mileage! Released via Sun Records, Mileage marks a career milestone for revered singer-songwriter Ruthie Foster, whose rich blend of blues, gospel, and folk storytelling has captivated audiences worldwide.
Described by Rolling Stone as “pure magic to watch and hear,” Ruthie’s vocal talent was elevated in worship services at her community church. Drawing influence from legendary acts like Mavis Staples and Aretha Franklin, she 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.
As the milestone tenth studio album from this blues luminary, Mileage finds Ruthie reflecting on a life full of professional triumphs, personal loss, and a musical journey that took a self-described “little Black girl with a guitar” from singing at churches in rural Texas to chalking up multiple Grammy nominations and collaborating with fellow greats such as Susan Tedeschi and Derek Trucks.
The Strand’s concert series is presented by:
