Saturday, November 18, 2017
ENCYCLOPEDIA BRITANNICA
FOSTER, STEPHAN COLLINS- (1826-1864) american song + ballad writer. b Allegheny, PA. july 4th. youngest of a merchant who became mayor + member of the st legislature. related by marriage to pres buchanan. as a boy delicate + was a quiet boy as opposed to his songs. showed talent for music + played several instruments. aquired knowledge of french + german. when 13 wrote a song published in "sadly to mine heart appealing". at 16 wrote the much admired "open thy lattice love", at 17 joined his brothers' business in cinncinnati, stayed 3 yrs, wrote "old uncle ned", "oh susanna" etc. for latterhe got $100 + turned to song writing. best stuff for negromelodist or mistrels. "nelly was a lady", "old kentucky home", "old folkes at home", bringing him 15k it is said. wrote music + words. best stuff by negroes. later work more 'refined'-whiter. after mother's death, more melancholy. "old dog tray", "gentle annie". "no claim to high rank" as composer, his song writing made an epoch in popular music.
does not mention his "jeannie w/ the light brown hair"!
FOSTER, STEPHAN COLLINS- (1826-1864) american song + ballad writer. b Allegheny, PA. july 4th. youngest of a merchant who became mayor + member of the st legislature. related by marriage to pres buchanan. as a boy delicate + was a quiet boy as opposed to his songs. showed talent for music + played several instruments. aquired knowledge of french + german. when 13 wrote a song published in "sadly to mine heart appealing". at 16 wrote the much admired "open thy lattice love", at 17 joined his brothers' business in cinncinnati, stayed 3 yrs, wrote "old uncle ned", "oh susanna" etc. for latterhe got $100 + turned to song writing. best stuff for negromelodist or mistrels. "nelly was a lady", "old kentucky home", "old folkes at home", bringing him 15k it is said. wrote music + words. best stuff by negroes. later work more 'refined'-whiter. after mother's death, more melancholy. "old dog tray", "gentle annie". "no claim to high rank" as composer, his song writing made an epoch in popular music.
does not mention his "jeannie w/ the light brown hair"!
