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Radney Foster and the circle of life
Radney Foster has sealed gaps between roots rock and mainstream country for nearly a quarter-century. The southwest Texas native, whose forthcoming “Revival” matches equal parts gospel and grit, considers his multilateral success a mystery. “(Foster and Lloyd) had big old hits playing rockabilly meets British pop with harmonies like the Everly Brothers,” he says. “Nobody said it had to make sense.” Foster hosts his 50th birthday party tonight at Hill’s Cafe with Jack Ingram, Pat Green and many other guests.
American-Statesman: Darius Rucker told us recently that he’s thought of recording your entire ‘Del Rio, Texas, 1959’ album.
Radney Foster: Well, that’s incredibly flattering (laughs). I’ve known for a long time that he’s a really big fan. My sister called me one night when (Hootie and the Blowfish) were doing some VH1 thing. I see this rock band with a black lead singer with a voice as wide as a freight train wearing a Radney Foster ‘Del Rio, Texas 1959’ T-shirt. I couldn’t tell by the music if they liked me or if the T-shirt was free, but I dig it (laughs).
Talk about your new duet with Rucker (`Angel Flight’).
(Co-writer) Austinite Darden Smith had been in contact with the Texas National Guard about them commissioning a song. Darden was just like, “Hey, man, I’d appreciate it if you’d help me write this song.” I said, “Absolutely.” A significant portion of the royalties from that song and a documentary we’re working on will go to the family support services charity that helps guardsmen in a time of crisis.
What’s the focus of the documentary?
Its working title is “Inside the Confessions.” It bookends the fact that this record was made around two stories of the circle of life: I lost my dad last year, and yet my oldest boy is coming home. He’s been living in France for 13 years. Now he’ll be a freshman in college two miles from my house. So, I have this one unbelievable joy, but I lost my dad. In typical fashion, I just wrote about what I’m doing.
The new album’s title track certainly captures that duality.
Well, Darrell Brown and I had written several songs around the framework of joy and sorrow. When we got through writing “A Little Revival,” he said, “I think I know what the title of your next record is. I think I know where this is going.”
How did your spirituality factor into the songwriting?
I was raised in a strong Christian family, yet like any other guy I grew up going through all the doubts. I came to my own sense of where my faith lies. I’ve never been really good at preaching about it to anyone. I just figured that’s between me and God. It’s always been a part of my writing, because it’s a part of my life.
What has affected your faith most as you approach turning 50?
A real rebirth of my faith was when my boy Julian was moving overseas with his mom. That’ll shake you to the core. I used to tell everybody that I became a really good fly fisherman because every time after he left after being with us on a vacation, I’d go fly fishing all by myself. That was my day to yell at God.
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