FOSTER FAMILY STRING BAND

Florence, Alabama

Drawing on a family musical tradition which spans 10 generations, the Foster Family String Band of Florence has won many awards including "String Band of the Year" for five consecutive years by the Society for the Preservation of Blue Grass Music in America.

Composed of Dr. Bill (Doc) Foster on banjo, his wife Anne on guitar, son Will on bass, daughter Melissa on Mandolin and Melissa's husband John Green on guitar, the group offers a varied repertoire of traditional ballads, popular songs of the 19th century, and Bluegrass favorites. The band has been playing its style of acoustic music on tours of the Southeast since 1977.

The members of the Foster Family are instrumental virtuosos, which together have captured the title of "Championship Band of the Upper Cumberlands". Will has been named the "Most Promising Bass Player in the United States" (under 18), and Dr. Foster has garnered thirty-three championship titles in old-time banjo and bluegrass banjo.

In addition, Dr. Foster is Chairman of the Department of English and Journalism at the University of North Alabama, and is an award-winning author and folklorist.

The band has released a variety of albums highlighting their talents.