Fred Foster

Oral History Information

Interview Date
Birth Date
Deceased Date
Job Title
Founder
Company Name
Monument Records
Tags
Nashville TN, Elvis Presley, Composers/Songwriters, Country Music, Deceased, Rock and Roll, Record Producers, Record Promoters, Mercury Records, Fred Foster, Janis Joplin, Country Music Hall of Fame, Full Interview, Musicians Hall of Fame, Monument Studios, Young'Un Studios, "Oh, Pretty Woman", Dolly Parton, Artisan Guitars

Fred Foster is a legendary name in Nashville music history. His role first as a record promoter then producer helped the careers of many performers and resulted in hundreds of hit recordings. He began working for Mercury Records in 1955 and played a vital role in the early careers of Roy Orbison and Dolly Parton. Among the artists he produced were fellow NAMM Oral History interviewees Billy Grammer, Chip Young and Charlie McCoy. His impressive career also included songwriting such hits as "Me and Bobby McGee" (with Kris Kristofferson) for Janis Joplin and establishing Monument Records.