Pink Telecaster, Red-Hot Blues: How Sue Foley Became My Guitar Heroine
I can still picture it—Sue Foley strutting across the stage in a bright red dress, her signature pink Telecaster slung low, and a look on her face that said, “I came here to play.” And play she did—fierce, fluid, and with that razor-sharp tone that slices straight to the soul.
That was the first time I saw her live, and I swear I didn’t blink for 90 minutes. It wasn’t just the guitar—it was the attitude, the soul, the swagger. I’d been a blues fan for years, but Sue Foley opened a new door. She brought the fire of Texas blues and fused it with style and grace that only she could deliver.
From Canada to Austin: The Road to the Blues
Born in Ottawa, Canada, Sue Foley fell in love with the blues as a teenager and never looked back. She cut her teeth listening to the legends—Muddy Waters, Howlin’ Wolf, Memphis Minnie—but it was the raw, electric sound of Texas blues that truly captured her.
In the early ’90s, she moved to Austin, TX—a city that welcomed her like one of its own. There, she signed to Antone’s Records (yeah, that Antone’s—the home of Stevie Ray Vaughan) and started carving out a place for herself in the boys’ club of blues guitar. And guess what? She didn’t just belong—she stood out.
Her Style: Bold, Biting, and Blues Through and Through
Let’s talk guitar. Sue’s playing is sharp, stinging, and stripped-down—no fluff, no filler. Her tone is pure Telecaster bite, and her phrasing? Killer. She channels the snarl of Albert Collins, the finesse of Jimmie Vaughan, and the confidence of someone who knows exactly what she’s doing.
And when she sings? It’s low and smoky, full of soul and sly humor. She doesn’t overpower you—she pulls you in, line by line, until you’re hanging on every word.
She also writes with depth and wit, crafting songs about heartbreak, desire, grit, and survival. And she does it without losing that cool-headed, no-nonsense edge that makes her so unforgettable.
Albums That Turned Me Into a Superfan
If you’re new to Sue Foley, you’ve got a lot of good listening ahead. Here are the albums that sealed the deal for me:
- 🎸 Young Girl Blues (1992) – Her debut, and still one of the best. Full of raw energy and confidence beyond her years.
- 🔥 Back to the Blues (1999) – A straight-ahead blues banger. Tough, tight, and totally authentic.
- 💄 The Ice Queen (2018) – A personal favorite. Features guest spots from Billy Gibbons and Jimmie Vaughan, but it’s all Sue. Smoldering and sharp.
- 🎤 Pinky’s Blues (2021) – Named after her iconic pink Telecaster. This one is Texas blues to the bone. Groovy, gritty, and full of swagger.
- 🧨 Live in Austin, Vol. 1 – Captures her energy like nothing else. A must-listen if you want the real deal.
She doesn’t make filler albums—every track she records is honest and road-tested.
Seeing Her Live: A Master at Work
I’ve seen Sue Foley live three times now, and each show leaves me grinning like a fool. She steps onstage cool and calm, and by the second song she’s lighting the place up. She doesn’t need theatrics—just a Telecaster, a mic, and that confident swagger.
There’s something powerful about watching a woman absolutely own the blues stage—especially when she’s sharing it with the big names and outplaying half of them. She’s all feel, no flash. And when she rips into a slow blues or a Collins-style burner, time just stops.
Why Sue Foley Matters So Much
Let’s be real: the blues world still doesn’t give enough credit to women guitarists. Sue Foley doesn’t just prove she belongs—she reminds us why we need her. She brings a unique voice to the tradition: one that respects the roots but doesn’t get stuck in them.
She’s fierce, feminine, and fearless—a rare combo in blues, or anywhere.
She’s also a teacher, a writer, a collaborator, and a relentless road warrior. She’s out there keeping the blues alive every single night, one scorching solo at a time.
Where to Start If You’re New
Let me help you catch the Foley fire:
- 🎧 Pinky’s Blues – Start here. It’s everything that makes her great, wrapped in Texas swagger.
- 💿 The Ice Queen – A masterclass in tone and control.
- 🎸 Young Girl Blues – Her debut, full of raw brilliance.
- 🎥 YouTube: Search “Sue Foley live Austin” or “Sue Foley Pinky’s Blues” to see her command the stage.
More at suefoley.com
Sue Foley is the real deal—no hype, no gimmicks. Just killer tone, fearless solos, and the kind of blues that gets in your bones and stays there. She doesn’t play to impress—she plays to connect. And for this longtime blues fan, that connection runs deep.
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