Fresh off a whirlwind year that’s seen him go from local Louisiana hopeful to American Idol Season 23 runner-up and Grand Ole Opry performer, John Foster is bringing his voice—and his story—back to the people who supported him from the very beginning.
This fall, the 19-year-old country artist will headline a nine-show tour across the South and Midwest, starting with a special July 5 performance in Marksville, Louisiana, and culminating with a high-profile set at the Boots on the Bayou Festival in Gonzales on October 31. The tour includes stops at major festivals, an encore at the Grand Ole Opry, and back-to-back sold-out shows in Baton Rouge.
Homegrown Beginnings: A Tour Rooted in Louisiana
The tour kicks off on July 5 at the Paragon Casino Resort in Marksville. Tickets start at just $25, and Foster will also serve as grand marshal of the city’s Fourth of July parade, a symbolic nod to his deep Louisiana roots.
He returns to Nashville’s Grand Ole Opry on July 9—his 19th birthday—sharing the stage with artists like Ashley Cooke and The Isaacs. It’s his second Opry performance, following his acclaimed debut on June 7.
Riding the Festival Circuit and Selling Out Clubs
From there, Foster joins the Marshland Festival in Lake Charles on July 26, followed by two nights at The Texas Club in Baton Rouge (August 1–2). The second night sold out in under 24 hours, prompting organizers to add a Friday show, with local talents Lauren Lee Band and Connor Martin supporting, plus an encore from Chase Tyler.
In Paintsville, Kentucky, Foster will appear at Alley Fest on August 29, performing alongside fellow Idol alumnus Slater Nalley. He’s also booked to open for Joe Nichols at Hobart Arena in Troy, Ohio, on October 25.
But perhaps the biggest date of the tour is October 31, when Foster takes the stage at the Boots on the Bayou Festival—sharing a bill with headliners Chris Stapleton and Cody Johnson.
Beyond the Stage: A Name That Carries Legacy
Offstage, Foster continues to draw attention for his sincerity and humility. Recently, he opened up about the decision to drop his full legal name—John Foster Benoit III—and perform under the simpler “John Foster.”
“It just didn’t sound country enough,” he told fans in a video Q&A. “But more than that, it helped separate me from my dad and grandfather—who I’m named after.”
It was his grandmother who ultimately suggested using “John Foster” as his stage name, and he’s stuck with it ever since. “It feels like me,” he said.
The Road Ahead
Foster is also set to appear on the Fable House Podcast later this summer, where he’ll talk more about how his music career has changed since Idol—including the loss of his best friend Maggie Dunn, a tragedy that continues to fuel his emotional performances.
For fans eager to see the young artist live, tickets to most dates are now available through official venue sites. With his grounded charm, genuine vocals, and unshakable connection to his roots, John Foster’s fall tour promises more than music—it’s a tribute to the journey he’s still writing, one stage at a time.