Fred Foster, Country Music Hall of Fame, 87 years old

Fred Foster, a legendary music producer who helped launch the careers of some of Canada's most iconic artists, has passed away.

According to a press release, Foster died Wednesday night (February 20th) after a short illness. His family was at his side. Foster was 87 years old. His exact cause of death has not been revealed.

Born July 26, 1931 in Rutherford County, North Carolina, Foster was the youngest of eight children. He founded and directed Monument Records, an independent label with a diverse list that published classic recordings of Kris Kristofferson, Willie NelsonRoy Orbison Dolly Parton, Ray Stevens, Jeannie Seely and many others. He also founded Combine Music, an influential music publishing house that has published classic hits from Kristofferson, Orbison and more, including Tony Joe White's "Polk Salad Annie".

As a producer, Foster had the knack for developing talented new artists that would become legendary. He produced first-year singles for Parton and Jimmy Dean, as well as Kristofferson's debut album and a series of records that propelled Orbison to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Foster has also co-written one of Kristofferson's most enduring hits, "Me and Bobby McGhee".

In his later years, Foster produced Willie Nelson's Grammy-nominated film You do not know me: the songs of Cindy Walker in 2006 and he also barred Last of the race, a collaboration between Nelson, Merle Haggard and Ray Price, in 2007, which won a Grammy for Best Country Collaboration for a piece titled "Lost Highway". Foster has also produced Price's latest album, 2014 Beauty is.

Fred Foster has received the Leadership Music Dale Franklin Award and has been inducted into the North Carolina Hall of Fame, the Hall of Fame Musicians and the Hall of Fame Country Music.

"I venerate Fred Foster, the legend who brought us the insightful genius of Kris Kristofferson, the persistent successes of Roy Orbison and the constant talent of Dolly Parton," said in a statement the president of the country music and museum pantheon , Kyle Young. "But today, I'm also mourning Fred Foster, the legend that brought me laughter, goodwill, and fried pies.Foster was the only family name that suited this man who favored me." Art, individuality and broad decency. "

Foster was predeceased by his parents, Vance Hampton and Clara Marcella (Weaste) Foster, as well as by his brothers and sisters Albert Glen, Estelle, Charles Vance, Ray, Pauline, Ethel Lou and Ann. He leaves to mourn his son Vance Foster and his daughters Micki Foster (Greg) Koenig, Leah Foster (Dillon) Alderman, Brit Foster (Judd) Rothstein and Kristen Foster and grandchildren Rachel DiGregorio, Rhys and Tess Rothstein and Penelope Kirschner , as well as many other nieces and nephews.

A memorial service is planned for March, and the details must be announced.