Legendary Producer Who Helped Launch Willie & Dolly’s Careers Dead At 87
Dolly Parton News / Twitter
The country music world just lost a legend.
Fred Foster was a legendary producer, songwriter, and record company owner, who was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2016 alongside Randy Travis and Charlie Daniels.
His career and contribution to country music was celebrated, with Dolly Parton singing and giving a heartfelt speech about his impact on her career, which he helped start. She performed “Dumb Blonde,” for the man who “saw things in me that nobody else did.”
“You started my life with my first record,” she said before her performance.
Not only did the prolific producer and songwriter help kick start Parton’s now-legendary career, he also founded Monument Records in 1958. Monument Records is also responsible for signing Roy Orbison, Kris Kristofferson, Jeannie Seely, Ray Stevens, Willie Nelson, and Connie Smith to recording contracts and kicking off their careers.
Foster passed away on Wednesday, February 20 at the age of 87.
Orbison’s son, Roy Orbison Jr. took to Twitter to mourn his father’s friend, who turned into his friend.
Dolly Parton took to social media to mourn Foster, writing, “I am heartbroken that my friend Fred Foster has passed on. Fred was one of the very first people to believe in me and gave me chances when no one else would or could. We’ve stayed friends through the years and I will miss him. I will always love him.”
A memorial service is currently being planned for sometime in March.
Foster is survived by his children and grandchildren. We will keep them in our prayers during this time.