Ruthie Foster Shines at Levitt AMP: A Night of Soul, Power, and Brilliance

The Mixtape Queens
Apr 22
2 min read

Written by The Mixtape Queens

Last Thursday, we were blessed with a truly unforgettable evening as we witnessed the incredible Ruthie Foster live in concert at the Levitt AMP Fort Smith Music Series. From the moment she stepped on stage, Ruthie brought the crowd to life with her powerhouse vocals, magnetic stage presence, and heartfelt storytelling that transcends genres and generations.

Ruthie Foster is a musical force — a rare blend of blues, gospel, soul, and folk that moves audiences on a deep, emotional level. She’s racked up a stunning list of accolades over the years, including four Grammy nominations, ten Blues Music Awards, and the Living Blues Critics’ Award for Female Artist of the Year. But her most recent win is especially historic.

Earlier this year, Ruthie took home her first Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Blues Album with her 2023 release, Mileage. The album was released through the legendary Sun Records, and this win marks a major milestone — Mileage is the first album ever released by Sun Records to win a Grammy. That’s right. The same label that helped launch the careers of Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, and Jerry Lee Lewis just hit Grammy gold for the very first time with Ruthie Foster leading the way.

Mileage is a stunning reflection of Ruthie’s journey, featuring deeply personal songwriting, gritty southern soul, and her signature vocal brilliance. She delivered those songs live with raw authenticity, commanding the stage with every note — from tender ballads to foot-stomping blues anthems.

The Levitt AMP stage provided the perfect backdrop for this legendary performance. A big shoutout to the Levitt Foundation, whose mission is to partner with communities nationwide to activate underused outdoor spaces and bring people together through the power of free, live music. Their work is inspiring, and we’re so grateful to them for bringing world-class talent like Ruthie Foster to the heart of Fort Smith.

We left the show feeling moved, uplifted, and inspired. Ruthie Foster doesn’t just sing — she testifies. Her music is soul medicine, and her performance at Levitt AMP was a reminder of just how powerful live music can be when it’s filled with heart, history, and healing.