Ruthie Foster To ‘Let It Burn’ In Crockett

CROCKETT- Just in time for what would be Lightnin’ Hopkins’ 100th birthday, soulful Blues singer and 2010 Grammy nominee Ruthie Foster will be in town to heat things up.

The Piney Woods Fine Arts Association will host Foster at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 21 in Crockett’s Civic Center. Preparing for the release of her newest album “Let it Burn,” Foster is expected to debut songs released on the album Jan. 31.

“Those who have followed Ruthie Foster’s eclectic musical history know that she can burn down any stage with her combustible blend of soul, blues, rock, folk and gospel,” a press release from music public relations firm Conqueroo stated.

The songwriter/performer’s passion for music was fueled in Central Texas’s Brazos Valley when her mother taught her hymns, her guitar teacher gave her a book of Beatles’ songs or she listened to country variety shows with her grandfather.

“It didn’t matter to me what genre it was,” Foster said. “I just took it all in as great music - music that moved me.”

By the age of 14, she became a soloist in a choir conducted by her uncle. When she attended McClennan Community College, she mixed music and audio engineering classes with visits to nightclubs and soon started fronting a blues band in venues from Dallas to San Antonio. Even when Foster took a break from performing to join the Navy, music found her as she joined a Navy ensemble that played at recruitment drives.

“There were seven of us, and I was the only woman in the band,” Foster said. “That’s where I learned how to work and hold my own on the road, and that was huge for me, too.”

Foster’s musical journey soon led her to New York and a contract with Atlantic Records. Yet her writings steered away from commercial pop, and ties with the label were later severed.

When her mother became sick, Foster packed up and headed back to Texas. Since then, Foster has appeared at numerous musical festivals and released five albums as she prepares to debut her sixth.

On “Let it Burn” she showcases powerful and distinctive covers of Adele’s “Set Fire to the Rain,” Johnny Cash’s “Ring of Fire,” and her own spiritual original song, “Lord Remember Me.”

“I haven’t lost my gospel in the way I approach a song,” Foster said.

And while Foster is capable of guitar playing, she doesn’t play an instrument on her newest album so she can focus on her vocals. Both Foster and her band are expected to sizzle in Crockett.

The event is hosted by Houston County Life and Renaissance Surgery Center of Crockett. Tickets range from $22 to $32. They can be ordered by calling 936-544-4276 between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. on weekdays, or visiting www.pwfaa.org.