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Ruthie Foster
Runaway Soul
 (Blue
Corn) Sometimes even Texans get the blues...and mix it up with a little
gospel, folk and country. Such can be said about Gause, Texas native
Ruthie Foster. While growing up in this small Texas town, Ruthie was
surrounded by the sounds of gospel and blues. Blessed with an
outstanding voice, her mother encouraged her daughter to "Open your
mouth and sing, girl!"
Ruthie's musical journey
took her from a earning a degree in commercial music in Waco, to a four
year tour with the U.S. Navy band "Pride," to a recording contract with
Atlantic Records in New York City. However, in 1993, she received word
her mother was extremely ill and returned to College Station, Texas to
care for her, taking a job with a local TV station to support herself.
She began performing for the elderly she met while caring for her
mother, which in turn led her to get involved in other community
programs at which she also often performed. This is when she also met
her present manager and musical partner, Cyd Cassone. Ruthie's mother
passed away in 1996, after which, Ruthie then turned her full attention
back to her music. She released her first album Full Circle the
following year in 1997. Her second album Crossover produced a
single "Where Do We Go >From Here?" which was featured in the Civil
Rights Movement documentary of the same name. She's toured extensively
across the U.S. and Canada, playing such prestigious dates as the
Kerriville Folk Festival, Willie Nelson's 4th of July Picnic, and
Bluesapalooza.
More>>
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The Story of Tone-Cool, Vol 1
to be released on Feb. 25th
For the last 18 years, Tone-Cool Records has kept an open ear and
an open mind in recording and releasing roots- and blues-based music. This
month, we’re releasing the 2-CD set
“The Story of Tone Cool, vol.1”--a
portable Tone-Cool music library that also offers an indication of the new
sounds we’ve got in store for 2003 and beyond.
Tracing Tone-Cool’s evolution from the label’s very first act, the
11th Hour Band, straight on through to Susan Tedeschi’s new
album
Wait For Me,
the new CD marks our 50th release with over 100 minutes of music. The 2-CD
set includes two tracks from Tedeschi, including the 1999 breakout hit “It
Hurt So Bad” that helped earn her a Grammy® nomination for Best
New Artist, as well as two songs from the North Mississippi
Allstars: “Shake ‘Em On Down,” from their 2001 Grammy®-nominated
Shake Hands With Shorty,
and “Sugartown” from their 2003 Grammy®-nominated
51 Phantom.
Other award-nominated artists on the compilation include
harmonica-driven blues legends Rod Piazza and the Mighty Flyers,
winners of the W.C. Handy Award for Blues Band of the Year in 1999,
2000, and 2002; Paul Rishell and Annie Raines, 2000 Handy-winners
for Best Acoustic Blues Album; and multiple Handy-award nominees
Bernard Allison, Double Trouble, David Maxwell, and Toni Lynn
Washington. The collection also features tracks from current Tone-Cool
releases by Rick Holmstrom, Hobex, and Todd Thibaud, as well
as songs by such label alumni as James Montgomery, The Love Dogs,
and Terrance Simien.
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