Fred Foster

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.