(Baton Rouge, LA) -- The Baton Rouge Blues Foundation congratulates Blues Artist Ruthie Foster on the Grammy nomination of her album “The Truth According to Ruthie Foster” (Blue Corn Music) in the category of Best Contemporary Blues Album. Foster will appear live in downtown Baton Rouge at the 2010 Baton Rouge Blues Festival on April 24, 2010 in Repentance Park (located between the Old State Capitol and River Center).
The Philadelphia City Paper praises Foster: "What she does have in common with (Ella) Fitzgerald and (Aretha) Franklin is the irresistible blaze -- it's impossible to look away, even close the eyes, for one second."
Foster began her solo career at the age of 14 in the choir her uncle conducted. This year Foster appeared for the first time at the legendary New Orleans’ Jazz and Heritage Festival, where her album was in the Top 10 on-site at Borders. In 2008, Foster won Best Female Vocalist at the Austin Music Awards at SXSW 2008, while her “Phenomenal Woman” album placed second for Album of the Year.
Back for its 3rd year, the 2010 Baton Rouge Blues Festival hosts an impressive lineup of Blues legends and newcomers, including: local favorite and international Blues legend, Chris Thomas King; Louisiana Blues-Rock star Tony Joe White; 2009 B.B. King Entertainer of the Year Janiva Magness; Louisiana Blues Guitar giant Sonny Landreth; and up-and-comer from the legendary Baton Rouge Blues family, Tyree Neal. The festival is FREE to the public.
Beyond the music, festival attendees will enjoy home cooking from Neal family matriarch Shirley Neal; Ben Payne’s Jambalaya and Red Beans, and Bluesman Chicago Al’s world-famous hotdogs.
The 2010 Baton Rouge Blues Festival is presented by the Baton Rouge Blues Foundation as part of the Baton Rouge Blues Week, April 18-25, 2010. The Festival is produced by Pal Productions Co. and sponsored by the City of Baton Rouge; Mockler Beverage; Coca-Cola; and the Baton Rouge Convention & Visitors Bureau.
For more information, contact Clarke Gernon at 225.937.7038, or Johnny Palazzotto at 225.383.0968, or visit any of our online media resources, including: www.brbluesfoundation.org; www.batonrougebluesfestival.