Memories From the Homestead: Foster was a songwriting giant

Several days ago, composer Stephen Foster was remembered on January 13, the anniversary of his passing in 1864. I still recall learning about him and his compositions in Mrs. Droke's music class at Branson Elementary. 

   In recent times, I realized Foster had a big influence in the early years of the Sons of the Pioneers, as the group featured a number of his popular songs in their radio transcription recordings.

   Foster's beginnings go back to Pennsylvania. He was born to William and Eliza Foster on July 4, 1826, in Lawrenceville, Pennsylvania. His love of music took off at an early age. He taught himself several instruments—piano, flute, guitar and clarinet. At age 13 in 1839, he began studies under Henry Kleber, learning music composition. It was here that he was exposed to the works of Beethoven, Bach and Mozart.

     Foster's formal education took place at Canonsburg, Pennsylvania, at Jefferson College. Money was tight, but his tuition was paid for. On July 22, 1850, Foster married Jane Denny McDowell, and after their honeymoon, his songwriting became quite frequent; his famous "Jeanie with the Light Brown Hair" was written in honor of Jane. More songs came, and even though Stephen and Jane never lived in the south, a number of his tunes displayed a southern theme, which explains why many of them are still popular today.

    Accurate biographies of Foster's life are difficult to find. It seems that every biographer out there has put a different spin on his life, especially those final years going into the 1860s.

    I didn't realize Foster was so young when he passed. He died on January 13, 1864, at just 37 years of age. He had experienced an illness that began with a fever. Some speculate that he died from the illness, while others believe he may have killed himself. Shortly after his passing, one of his finest compositions was published, "Beautiful Dreamer." Definitely an appropriate selection to honor one of the greatest writers.

     Foster was laid to rest in Pittsburgh, at the Allegheny Cemetery. His brother Morrison took over his publishing and business endeavors and had served as his personal agent.

    Stephen and Jane only had one daughter together, Marion Foster, born in 1851. She remained in charge of her father's estate, was remembered as a composer and long-time piano teacher. She passed in 1935.

    Stephen Foster wrote over 200 published songs, again, many with a southern theme. He wrote a number of hymns as well. In the 1930s as radio and live performance was gaining popularity across the country, Foster's compositions were performed by literally everyone who had a radio gig. There's a reason for this. His songs were public domain. In 1857, Foster sold the rights to his songs to a number of publishers and this is how they ended up in print. Almost one hundred years later, Congress would pass a joint resolution proclaiming all Stephen Foster works to be public domain.

     Some of his most successful songs were "Swanee River," "Camptown Races," "The Glendy Burke," "Angelina Baker," "Hard Times Come Again No More," "My Old Kentucky Home," "Oh Susanna," Nelly Bly," the list goes on and on.

      I found it unique that the Sons of the Pioneers featured Foster's material in their radio performances for quite a spell, into the early 1950s anyway. I looked through their song listing for the Standard Radio Transcriptions recorded in the early years of the group from 1934 to 1936. Out of 272 songs, the group featured twenty of Foster's compositions. 

     Yes, there are performers today that still feature this great material. Bruce Springsteen still performs "Hard Times Come Again No More." From Ray Charles to Gordon Lightfoot, again the list is endless! I guess I have two personal favorites; "Beautiful Dreamer" is a really neat one. I loved the way Lloyd Perryman performed it over the years with the Pioneers. My mandolin picker Berry Wynn, with Randy Plummer on bass, and myself on guitar often feature "Angelina Baker" as an instrumental. It's popular with claw-hammer style banjo, but it's fun on the other bluegrass instruments too and is always challenging. 

     Remembered as America's first professional songwriter, Stephen Foster definitely had a huge impact that carries on strong today. And check this out: Not only is "My Old Kentucky Home" the official state song for Kentucky, it's also the official state song for Florida!

     Happy trails, everyone!