Ruthie Foster

Ruthie Foster is an American singer-songwriter of blues and folk music. Foster was 48 years old in May 2012. Foster is from Gause, Texas, and comes from a family of gospel singers. She studied music at McLennan Community College and then worked in the US Navy, where she started performing. Her debut was released in 1997 and she has performed in North America, Europe, and Australia. She has often been compared to Bonnie Raitt and Aretha Franklin.

In June 2009, Foster toured with The Blind Boys of Alabama. In December 2009 her CD, "The Truth According to Ruthie Foster", was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Blues Album. In May 2010, at the Blues Music Awards, Foster was announced as Contemporary Blues Female Artist of the Year. She was a featured artist at the Byron Bay Blues Fest in Australia in 2011.

Awards and honors

• Foster won the 2013 Koko Taylor Award (Traditional Blues Female)
• Foster scored the award for Best Female Vocalist at the 2013 Austin Music Awards
• Grammy Awards 2013 - "Let It Burn" nominated for 'Best Blues Album'
• 2012 Blues Music Awards
• Winner: Koko Taylor Award for Traditional Blues Female Artist of the Year
• Winner: DVD of the Year for Live at Antone's
• Nominee: B.B. King Entertainer of the Year
• 2011 Blues Music Award Winner - Koko Taylor Award for Traditional Blues Female Artist of the Year
• 2011 Living Blues Award Nominee - Blues Artist of the Year (Female)
• 2010 Living Blues Critics' Poll Winner - Blues Artist of the Year (Female)
• 2010 Blues Music Award Winner - Contemporary Blues Female Artist of the Year
• 2009 Blues Music Award Nominee - Traditional Blues Female Artist of the Year
• 2008 Blues Music Award Nominee - Traditional Blues Female Artist of the Year

(Ruthie Foster at 18th Annual Poconos Blues Festival 2009)