There’s something about the blues that grabbed the attention of young guitarist Sue Foley. In her words, it was the “blatant honesty and emotion” that she fell in love with.

“Blues is about feeling,” Foley said. “It’s true and down to earth; and so are the people who play it.”

The Canadian born Foley moved to Texas when she was 21. Antone’s Records founder Clifford Antone discovered the aspiring guitarist at the W.C. Handy Awards where she was sitting in with Duke Robillard.

“Canada actually has a really strong blues scene,” she said. “You don’t hear about it much because there’s kind of a red tape problem with artists coming down here.”

Foley had no problem establishing herself in the United States. Antone invited Foley to Austin where she eventually recorded two records with blues studio master Derek O’Brian.

Award winning producer and songwriter Stephen Bruton stepped in to produce Foley’s third record, Big City Blues. Bruton brought out a rock’n’roll edge from Foley’s sound that earned comparisons to Rickie Lee Jones or Bonnie Raitt.

“I do a lot more stuff, musically, than just blues,” Foley said with pride.

Foley’s fourth record, and the first to receive major distribution, mixed even more versatility into the finely crafted blues sound she had perfected with her previous recordings. Walk In The Sun was released this summer on Antone’s Records.

“First of all, it’s my first record of all originals,” she said about the differences on this record. “I needed time to develop into a singer. We do a lot of groovy, weird stuff on the record.”

Foley said she felt Walk In The Sun showed off the band more than the other records. Pianist Riley Osborne, bassist Jon Penner and drummer Freddie Walden make up Foley’s band. “I always take advantage of a good piano player,” she added.

Foley is now happening to take her recording improvements on the road. She has played a large part in a number of blues festivals.

“We’ve done a lot of them,” she said of the festival scene. “We want to get to the next level of touring and get into theaters.”

The guitarist, who plays a signature pink paisley Telecaster, gives Clearance Gatemouth Brown credit as her favorite living guitarist. Foley’s musical preferences range from jazz to country to rock.

As one of few female blues artists, Foley has found the role more exciting than difficult. “It has been really positive,” she said. “Being a band leader is challenging, being a female band leader has only been an asset.”

Sue Foley will bring her innovative blues sound to the M-Shop on Saturday for 8 and 10:30 p.m. performances. Tickets are $10, $7 for students. All ages are welcome. For more information call 294-2772.