[Cover photo credit to Jody Domingue]

Austin-based Grammy Award-winning artist Ruthie Foster has announced the forthcoming release of her new studio album, Just Say Yes. Slated for release on August 28, 2026, via Sun Records, the 10-track LP focuses on “celebrating joy, overcoming struggle, connection, and self-discovery.” The song “Thank You” is out now.

The track “Thank You” is “a fervent meditation on the feeling of imposter syndrome.” The singer reflects on being questioned in her authenticity as a Blues performer, despite her various accolades, including a Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Blues Album and multiple nominations.

Foster says about this:

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

While just last year, the Blues artist took home her first-ever Grammy Award for her album Mileage, she 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 album finds Foster “fully embracing the word YES, and living life in all its complexity.”

The album Just Say Yes also involved more transition. for Foster. 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.

She says:

It’s not just about age. It’s really about the miles I’ve put on. Every step matters.

She explains about the album:

Every last one of these songs are about some aspect of my life. 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.

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