STEPHEN FOSTERStephen Collins Foster, known as the "Father of American music," was the pre-eminent songwriter in the United States of the 19th century.Stephen Foster (July 4, 1826 January 13, 1864),  was born in Lawrenceville, now part of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and grew up as the ninth of ten children. Foster's education included one month at college (Washington & Jefferson College) but little formal music training. Despite this, he published several songs before the age of twenty. His first piece appeared when he was 18. His songs, such as "Oh! Susanna", "Camptown Races", "My Old Kentucky Home", "Old Black Joe", "Beautiful Dreamer" and "Old Folks at Home" ("Swanee River") remain popular over 150 years after their composition. This compilation includes the above mentioned favorites plus other classic titles. Created with the finest Nashville studio musicians, members of the Grand Ol' Opry Band, and "A" team live support players from the bands of Lyle Lovett, Ricky Scaggs, Everly Brothers, The Judds, and many others.