Rick Foster is a guitarist and arranger who lives in the

Days Creek, Oregon Days Creek is an unincorporated community and census-designated place in Douglas County, Oregon, United States. At the 2010 census it had a population of 272. The community was named after the local creek, which in turn was named for Patrick an ...

area, who plays classical and popular music, but who is most closely associated with Christian music.Baker, Paul, “Gospel Music - Bridging the Secular Waters: Contemporary Beat”

Billboard A billboard (also called a hoarding in the UK and many other parts of the world) is a large outdoor advertising structure (a billing board), typically found in high-traffic areas such as alongside busy roads. Billboards present large advertise ...

, September 27, 1980 page G-29.

Biography

Foster began playing

Hawaiian guitar Hawaiian guitar may refer to: *Lap steel guitar, a type of steel guitar without pedals that is typically played with the instrument in a horizontal position across the performer's lap *Ukulele The ukulele ( ; from haw, ukulele , approximately ...

when he was 10 years old. By age 12, he was playing electric guitar in a surf-rock band. At eighteen years of age, he was teaching guitar. When he was unable to find arrangements for guitar of his favorite hymns, he decided to create a repertoire.Davie, Margaret ''News Journal'' (Daytona Beach, FL)
"Innovator interprets sacred music for guitar"
Mar 16, 1996, page 51. Playing in classical style, but with country flavoring, he has recorded several albums, appearing on Bread & Honey Records,

Chapel Records Chapel Music, formerly Chapel Records is a record label, currently in Nampa, Idaho (relocated from California) that releases religious music. The label was founded in the late 1940s and still releases several Compact Disc#Audio CD, CDs each year. ...

and Edensong Records. He has been nominated for a

Dove Award A Dove Award is an accolade by the Gospel Music Association (GMA) of the United States to recognize outstanding achievement in the Christian music industry. The awards are presented annually. Formerly held in Nashville, Tennessee, the Dove Awards ...

by the

Gospel Music Association The Gospel Music Association (GMA) is a nonprofit organization founded in 1964 for the purpose of supporting and promoting the development of all forms of gospel music. As of 2011, there are about 4,000 members worldwide. The GMA's membership co ...

.,''Orlando Sentinel'', February 2, 1996, page 4. His arrangements have been featured by

Chet Atkins Chester Burton Atkins (June 20, 1924 – June 30, 2001), known as "Mr. Guitar" and "The Country Gentleman", was an American musician who, along with Owen Bradley and Bob Ferguson, helped create the Nashville sound, the country music s ...

and

Christopher Parkening Christopher William Parkening (born December 14, 1947) is an American classical guitarist. He holds the Chair of Classical Guitar at Pepperdine University under the title Distinguished Professor of Music. Biography Parkening was born in Los Angel ...

. His guitar arrangements of

hymn A hymn is a type of song, and partially synonymous with devotional song, specifically written for the purpose of adoration or prayer, and typically addressed to a deity or deities, or to a prominent figure or personification. The word ''hymn'' ...

s are published by Rick Foster Edensong, Fingerstyle Guitar Magazine and

Mel Bay Publications Mel Bay (February 25, 1913 – May 14, 1997) was an American musician and publisher best known for his series of music education books. His '' Encyclopedia of Guitar Chords'' remains a bestseller. Biography Early life Melbourne E. Bay was bo ...

Discography

*''Favorite Hymns for Classic Guitar'' (Bread & Honey 102)(Also "Hymns for Classic Guitar")(Edensong 602) *''More Hymns for Classic Guitar'' (Bread & Honey 118)(Edensong 618) *''Inspirational Guitar at Its Best'' (Chapel/Bridge 2327)(Bread & Honey 325)(Also 2 in 1 "Inspirational Guitar at Its Best" and "Sacred Classic Guitar")(Edensong 616) *''Sacred Classic Guitar'' (Edensong 609)(Also 2 in 1 "Inspirational Guitar at Its Best" and "Sacred Classic Guitar")(Edensong 616) *''Season of Joy'' (Edensong 600) (Moody Monthly Instrumental Album of the Year) *''Sacred Duos for Guitar and Violin'' (Edensong ESCD 605) *"Eternal Guitar" (Edensong ESCD 612) *"Best of Rick Foster—Close to Heaven" (Edensong ESCD 614) *"Rick Foster's Remembrance of Chet Atkins and his guitars" (Edensong ESCD 624) *"Faith is the Reason" (Edensong ESCD 620)

References

External links

Official site of Rick Foster
{{DEFAULTSORT:Foster, Rick American classical guitarists American male guitarists Fingerstyle guitarists Living people Guitarists from Oregon People from Douglas County, Oregon Year of birth missing (living people) Classical musicians from Oregon