"Jonathan Foster's music has magic, melody and even some mirth." – Song of the Soul

Authentic roots music for the ears of old souls - award-winning songwriter Jonathan Foster is a recording artist and touring musician from Cranberry Lake, New York and Redding, California. Over the past ten years he has released five independent studio albums, including his latest Lantern Shade (2021), and has performed over ten U.S. tours spanning the country several times. His sound can be referenced as Folk-Americana with a strong vocal presence woven with imaginative lyrics, acoustic guitar, harmonica, and engaging songs that make you feel at home. Whether he’s in the mountains, the plains or on a city stage you’ll find this songbird singing. Jonathan enjoys sharing his music and stories from his travels at an intimate level mixing in observations of the people, places, and wonders of the world. Join Jonathan Foster as he explores and smiles his way through his musical journey and take his songs down the highway, water, or trail with you.

June 2021, marks the release his 5th independent studio album, Lantern Shade. It is packed with musical residuals from the past year of reflective moments during uncertain days. Foster brings this 10-song long player to life with vocal conviction, imaginative lyrics, driven guitars, and rootsy sounds inspired from time in the Cascade Mountains to memories of his hometown Cranberry Lake, New York. The album steers towards the rock side of modern folk music with some big help from Bruce Turgon on bass guitar and Joe Misztal on drums. Lantern Shade comes out of the gate with the catchy single “Stardust Saltwater” and weaves between the heavy “The Beast”, “Into The Black”, “The Ship” and fun “When It Gets Dark”, “Alpine Line”, “Shady Grove”, “Ani Bird” to dedicated celebrations “May Our Paths Cross Again” and “Where We Belong”. 

"Jonathan Foster is a name not readily recognizable in Americana circles but, it should be. His latest release Lantern Shade invokes the vision of the proverbial itinerant troubadour singing songs about life as they see it." - Keith Smith, Americana highways

"...[a] luminous and euphoric record... Jonathan Foster creates wonderful songs! Full of emotions, obvious and catchy melodies of a voice that fills the space well, and all this makes you want to travel to the next tavern and go listen to him live and share a moment! - Bertrand Tappaz, Voix de Garage - France

"Not only is Lantern Shade one of the best records I've heard from an up-and-coming artist recently it also ranks with the best work I've heard from anyone so far this year." - Charlie Ricci, Bloggerhythms 

“His nine self-composed songs and his cover version of the traditional Appalachian folk song “Shady Grove” captivate us from start to finish on this new Jonathan Foster album… his songs can be seen as a beautiful asset and new fixed value for the Americana music genre.” – Rootstime, Belgium

“True to his roots as a trained observer, the political divisiveness that marked 2020—as well as the effects of a deadly pandemic that kept artists and everyone else inside—found its way into a handful of the 10 songs on “Lantern Shade.” - Jon Lewis, After Five Magazine

"A breezy songwriting style, alternating between lyrical introspection and worldly observation, takes listeners on the road with him across America, admiring the beauty of rivers and forests while appreciating individuality along the way." - Ed Balint, Canton Rep, Best Music of 2021

Genres: Acoustic, Folk, Americana, Roots, Country, Singer-Songwriter, Alt-Folk, Indie, Folk-rock, Country-rock, Alt-country, Folk-country, Mountain

Referenced similarities: Bob Dylan, John Prine, Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, Blaze Foley, James Taylor, John Denver, Steve Earle, Gordon Lightfoot

Influences:  John Prine, Tom Petty, Neil Young, Townes Van Zandt, Natalie Merchant, Lead Belly, John Hiatt, Bob Dylan & The Band, Paul Simon, Gillian Welch, Ben Harper, Todd Snider, James McMurtry, Emmylou Harris, Guy Clark, Hayes Carll, Warren Zevon, The Tragically Hip, Mark Knopfler,  R.E.M., Bruce Springsteen,  Johnny Cash, Woody Guthrie, Uncle Tupelo, David Bowie, Crosby, Stills, Nash, Donna the Buffalo, Tracy Chapman, The Decemberists, and Pearl Jam.

Past venue samples: Soul Food Festival (LA), Whole Earth Festival (CA), Redding Roots Revival Music Festival (CA), Rockwood Music Hall (NYC), POPs Performing Arts Center (CA), Purple Fiddle (WV), Vintage (CA), The Blue Note (OKC), Railroad Blues (TX), Blue Tavern (FL), The Nick (AL), Radio Bean (VT), Sidney's Saloon (NOLA), Russell Theater (NY), Montrose Saloon (CHI), Evangeline's (StL), Carousel Lounge (ATX), One World (NC), Blue Canoe (MS), Filling Station (MT), Axe & Fiddle (OR), Lander Bar (WY),  Red Brick Tavern (TX), Black Dog (WA), Dan Electro's (TX), Herman's Hideaway (CO), Rava Wines (CA), Terminal Gravity (OR), New World (FL), Leftwoods (TX), The Down Under (NE), Plain Folk (OH), Springwater (TN), Kirby's (KS), Bisbee Grand (AZ), Torch Club (CA), The Nile (AZ), Sunnyside Theatre (OR), Shea's (NV), Irving Theater (IN), The Bridge (PA), Awendaw Green (SC), Moxy Nashville (TN), Miner's Park (UT), Raven Cafe (AZ).

States played (42): AL, AR, AZ, CA, CO, CT, FL, GA, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, LA, MA, MD, MN, MO, MS, MT, NC, ND, NE, NH, NJ, NM, NV, NY, OH, OK, OR, PA, SC, TN, TX, UT, VA, VT, WA, WI, WV, WY

Opener for: The Paperboys, Deadstring Brothers, June Star, The Sam Chase, Rita Hosking, Dead Winter Carpenters, Banditos, Coffis Brothers, Von Stomper, The Brothers Reed, Jack Grace, Craig Chaquico, Scott Joss, MAITA, Orion Walsh, W.C. Clark, The Ohio Weather Band, and Randy Weeks.

Accolades:

2021 Best Music of 2021 "Lantern Shade" album - The Repository

2016 After Five Magazine Songwriting Contest winner "Reclamation Town"

Member: Broadcast Music, Inc. (BMI) 

Stage Plot (solo): Direct inputs (2) - Beta SM58 Mic w/ stand, Baggs DI from acoustic guitar, (2) stage monitors (provided by venue). Band can vary by performance.

For U.S. tour booking inquires email Christopher at seriestworecords@icloud.com

All other inquiries please email JF at jonathanfostermusic@gmail.com