The small rural town of Gause, Texas had no chance of keeping the vocal powerhouse known as Ruthie Foster to itself. 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.
"Mileage", the milestone tenth studio album from Foster, finds the singer-songwriter 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.
Working alongside acclaimed producer Tyler Bryant (of Tyler Bryant & the Shakedown fame), Foster unveils a collection of songs on "Mileage" that was born from heartfelt conversations about her story. When the two native Texans first sat down (joined by Rebecca Lovell, Bryant's wife and one-half of the duo Larkin Poe) to work on a song together, they were still warming up to each other as songwriters and feeling out the possibility of a full project. As the ideas, lyrics, and melodies began to flow, the album that emerged is one that reverberates with a beautiful creative synergy.
"Mileage" marks a profound collaboration with Sun Records, intertwining Foster's narrative with the legendary label's rich tapestry of musical history and inviting listeners to embark on a soul-stirring voyage through the heartland of American music. Foster's partnership with Sun signifies a union of past influences and future aspirations, echoing the label's commitment to fostering unique voices and timeless artistry.
With nods to musical legends and heartfelt tributes to her roots, "Mileage" is more than just an album--it's an invitation to take part in a conversation about memories, emotions, and shared humanity. It's a reminder that every journey, no matter how far, eventually takes us home.
The small rural town of Gause, Texas had no chance of keeping the vocal powerhouse known as Ruthie Foster to itself. 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.
"Mileage", the milestone tenth studio album from Foster, finds the singer-songwriter 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.
Working alongside acclaimed producer Tyler Bryant (of Tyler Bryant & the Shakedown fame), Foster unveils a collection of songs on "Mileage" that was born from heartfelt conversations about her story. When the two native Texans first sat down (joined by Rebecca Lovell, Bryant's wife and one-half of the duo Larkin Poe) to work on a song together, they were still warming up to each other as songwriters and feeling out the possibility of a full project. As the ideas, lyrics, and melodies began to flow, the album that emerged is one that reverberates with a beautiful creative synergy.
"Mileage" marks a profound collaboration with Sun Records, intertwining Foster's narrative with the legendary label's rich tapestry of musical history and inviting listeners to embark on a soul-stirring voyage through the heartland of American music. Foster's partnership with Sun signifies a union of past influences and future aspirations, echoing the label's commitment to fostering unique voices and timeless artistry.
With nods to musical legends and heartfelt tributes to her roots, "Mileage" is more than just an album--it's an invitation to take part in a conversation about memories, emotions, and shared humanity. It's a reminder that every journey, no matter how far, eventually takes us home.
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