Ruthie Foster – Just Say Yes

Today, Austin-based GRAMMY Award-winning artist Ruthie Foster announced the forthcoming release of her new studio album, Just Say Yes. Slated for release on August 28 via Sun Records, the 10-track LP is a fearless, soul-stirring statement from one of music’s most vital voices, celebrating joy, overcoming struggle, connection, and self-discovery.

Accompanying the album announcement is the release of the spirited new single, “Thank You,” which blends rock, blues, and gospel with high-octane riffs and rich harmonies.

A fervent meditation on the feeling of imposter syndrome, the soulful singer reflects on being questioned of her authenticity as a blues performer, despite her various accolades, including a GRAMMY Award for Best Contemporary Blues Album and multiple nominations. Listen to “Thank You” here.

“There’s a front door, but there’s also a window and back door. There’s ways to get in,” Foster says. “I never put any kind of constraints on myself. I’m showing up with all of this.”

Her boldest chapter yet, Just Say Yes captures the full scope of Foster’s journey. “I’m amazed at how I got to this place,” Foster says. Just last year, the blues legend took home her first-ever GRAMMY Award, winning Best Contemporary Blues Album for her album Mileage. The award was a long time coming for the star, who has been hustling to make a life as an artist possible for over three decades. Foster was first signed to a major label after completing her tour of duty as part of the US Navy. She then abandoned music in 1993 to take care of her mom, who had fallen ill. Shortly after her mother’s death, the singer decided to find a path back to music as an independent artist.

Produced in Nashville by Tyler Bryant and co-written alongside Bryant and Rebecca Lovell (Larkin Poe), the eclectic album, which spans soul, roots, and blues, finds Ruthie fully embracing the word YES, and living life in all its complexity. Navigating her life experiences as they come, Foster sees both obstacles and opportunities as catalysts for growth, transformation, and forward motion.

“I wrote this thing on a sticky note and it just said ‘Just say yes,’” she recalls.

Just Say Yes follows Foster in another moment of transition. Last year, she blew out her meniscus while running to catch a flight and needed to get knee surgery in December. The injury and subsequent recovery have put much of Foster’s life into perspective; she’s made adjustments to her live show to make sure she doesn’t put too much strain on her body. “It’s not just about age. It’s really about the miles I’ve put on,” she says. “Every step matters.”

Foster decided to take advantage of her winter break from touring by planning a week in Nashville to record before getting her knee surgery. She reunited with her Mileage collaborators, Tyler Bryant (of the Shakedown) and his wife, Rebecca Lovell (of Larkin Poe), in Nashville, staying at an AirBnB near their house so she could work out of Bryant’s new studio. This time around, it became a larger family affair: Lovell’s sister and Larkin Poe collaborator Megan Lovell joined them in the studio as well as Megan’s husband Mike Seal.

“Every last one of these songs are about some aspect of my life,” Foster explains. She ruminated on the transitions of this moment, both physical and emotional. As she was enduring her injury, she was also facing uncertainty in her relationship. She and her partner were living separately at the time and the relationship was under considerable strain. She felt like both her body and her defenses were breaking down simultaneously, forcing her to peel away the layers and re-discover herself at the core.

“This was my way of being true to who I am and knowing that I’m in yet another transition in my life, which is how these albums tend to happen,” she continues. 

TOUR DATES
Jun 5 – Burlington, VT – Burlington Jazz Festival
Jun 7 – Chicago, IL – Chicago Blues Festival
Jun 12 – Austin, TX – Paramount Theater
Jun 25 – Eugene, OR – The John G. Shedd Institute For The Arts
Jun 26 – Berkeley, CA – The Freight 
Jun 27 – 28 – San Jose, CA – Fountain Blues & Brews Festival
Jun 28 – Nicasio, CA – Ruthie Foster BBQ On The Lawn
Jun 29 – Grass Valley, CA – The Center For The Arts
Jul 10 – Columbus, OH – Bicentennial Park
Jul 11 – Deadwood, SD – Deadwood Blues Festival
Jul 16-18 – Taos Pueblo, NM – She Rises International Women’s Music Festival
Jul 24 – South Park Township, PA – South Park Amphitheater
Aug 1 – Woodstock, NY – Sun Records Midnight Ramble
Aug 2 – Woodstock, NY – Sun Records Midnight Ramble
Aug 12-13 – Big Indian, NY – Catskills Crossroads Blues Camp
Aug 14 – Brattleboro, VT – Stone Church
Aug 16 – Thornton, NH – White Mountain Boogie N’ Blues
Aug 20 – Brownfield, ME – Stone Mountain Arts Center
Aug 21 – Plymouth, MA – Spire Center for the Performing Arts
Aug 22 – Falmouth, MA – Falmouth Academy 
Aug 23 – Albany, NY – The Egg
Aug 25 – Okoboji, IA – Pearson Lakes Art Center
Sep 10-13 – Las Vegas, NV – Big Blues Bender
Sep 13 – Cerritos, CA – Cerritos Center For The Performing Arts
Sep 15-19- Nashville, TN – AmericanaFest
Oct 31- Nov 7 – San Diego – The Legendary Rhythm & Blues Cruise
Feb 26 – Mar 5 2027 – Miami, FL – Cayamo

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