Sue Foley

Sue Foley was born on March 29, 1968. She has been writing and playing professionally since 1984. Foley has recorded ten albums for both Antone’s Records and Shanachie Records; spending over fourteen years on the road as a bandleader, lead vocalist, guitarist and manager of her own band. In addition to her own touring, she has shared the stage with blues musicians, such as Back Alley John, B. B. King, Buddy Guy and John Lee Hooker. Her career began in Ottawa, Canada at the age of sixteen where, in addition to solo work, she sang with the Back Alley John Revue.

Foley sent a demo tape of herself to Clifford Antone’s label (Antone’s Records) in 1990. Stunned, the record label arranged an audition for the guitarist to join the label. She soon moved to Austin, Texas and signed a recording contract with Antone’s. She appeared at the 1992 San Francisco Blues Festival. Foley won a Juno Award for Best Blues Album for Love Comin’ Down in 2000. Her 2007 album, Time Bomb, features two other female blues players, Deborah Coleman and Roxanne Potvin. The opening title track, “Time Bomb”, is an instrumental with all three women taking turns laying down leads. The following nine songs feature the women trading off on lead vocals and guitar duties on every third song, but coming together again on the final track “In The Basement”.

Sue Foley has been awarded many titles including the Maple Blues Award, and she continues to write and record blues music, collaborating with other musicians along the way. Partnering with Peter Karp, she has written hit songs such as “Treat Me Right”. Writing with Karp has helped her become known for her lyricism and musical style.

Listen to:  Treat Me Right

R.R.