Frank Foster looking forward to returning to old 'stomping grounds'

MusicFest headliner talks touring, new album

Frank Foster will headline MusicFest on Friday night. (Contributed)
Frank Foster will headline MusicFest on Friday night. (Contributed)

Frank Foster, the independent country artist set to headline Friday night at MusicFest, is looking forward his return to El Dorado.

"El Dorado is pretty much stomping grounds for me. I played there for the first time probably in 2011, 2012. I've played at MusicFest a long time ago and played it probably three or four times in my career; I've played everything from the sundown set to almost the closer, so it's nice to be coming back and doing that," Foster said.

The Louisiana native takes a workman's approach to his music career, relentlessly touring and recording. He has released nine albums, most recently "Star Spangled Bangers" on Sept. 3.

"We've been going all year, been rolling on this tour since January. I think I've only had two weekends off all year. In the summer and early fall there's a lot of festivals to play, which is good because you get a pretty wide array of fans. It's always good to do fairs and festivals; you get parents bringing their kids out to enjoy the show too," Foster said.

The relentless touring schedule gives time for Foster and his band to "mesh," he said, and develop their chemistry each night.

Foster said one member of his band is an original member "who has been in band since my first time hopping in a van to tour in 2011," while the rest are a cohesive and practiced unit.

"I try to treat my band like family... I think this is 'the band' that I have now, but all the combinations have been great and long-term. I think the next person to quit this band would be me," Foster said.

Part of their musical philosophy, Foster continued, is to bring the same energy and sound to each and every show.

"We have a motto in the band: whether we're playing to one or 1,000 or three or 3,000 people, we put on the same show. If we're up there in Wisconsin with 250 people in a bar, it's going to be the same show in Missouri in an arena with 6,000 people," Foster said.

He continued, "Being independent gives the chance to stay rooted. I love coming to arena like First Financial (Music Hall) but we don't mind honky-tonkin', either."

For long-time fans and those who have seen him live before, Foster said to expect some new material along with old favorites.

He urged those who have not seen him live yet to come prepared.

"All I can say is, the first ten rows might want to put their hat on backwards. We like to come out and show what we do. We're nine albums deep, with a bit of everything from Southern rock, country, soul, so we like to give a piece of all that. We go high energy for seven, eight or nine songs, then slow it down. I might even do some acoustic, show that side of us, before we crank it back up. It'll be fun," Foster said.

Foster's MusicFest set will start on Friday, October 1 at 7 p.m. with openers Pryor and Lee.

Saturday night's show, scheduled for 8 p.m. on Oct. 2, will be headlined by Ice Cube, with opening act Warren G.

For more information, or to purchase tickets, visit eldomad.com.

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