Sir Foster

Born and raised in Fort Valley, GA, a small town known for pecans and peaches, came Foster Nelson Carson, was born to a respected teacher and a dedicated football coach. At the age of six months old, it became evident that this young man was destined for a musical future when he approached his grandmother’s piano, pressed a key, and sang the note. Quenching young Foster’s thirst for musical knowledge, his parents enrolled him in piano lessons at age six. By the age of eleven, his skills were so mature that was named the musician for his Sunday school class at his home church, Shiloh Baptist Church and his aunt gave him his first saxophone. Foster began learning to play the saxophone in his middle school band class but with the knowledge acquired from playing the piano and his gift of playing by ear. Foster soon began to learn at home at a rate faster than most of his classmates while continuing his piano lessons, by age fourteen Foster became a musician for Shiloh Baptist Church’s morning services.

Good news traveled fast in Fort Valley, GA and the news of a young, talented musician quickly spread. Foster became the musician for Bethel Baptist Church. Still in H.S. Foster soon began playing for several church choir anniversaries, weddings, parties, and the Fort Valley State University talent shows. While in high school, Foster was a saxophone player and composer for the Trojan Marching Band. As a junior, Foster was a member of the H.S. band that won the Battle of the Bands competition for the state of Georgia.

Upon graduation from Peach County High School Foster was accepted as a Presidential Scholar at Fort Valley State University. He later became a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Incorporated, and he graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Mass Communications. While attending FVSU, Foster contributed to three cover bands while simultaneously being music director at a local church. In each band Foster served as a pianist, saxophonist, and vocalist. His bands became regulars at local clubs and restaurants and it was not long before people noticed the young, talented keyboard player who would provide vocals and leave the keyboard to play a saxophone solo. He became known for his great renditions of legendary songs by providing his own touch, such as playing the keyboard with his elbows and head. Foster did not settle for just performing someone else’s hits, he wanted to make his own. He began writing and producing songs in his bedroom.

Currently, Foster resides in the Atlanta area. He is a keyboardist for the Phillips Arena in Atlanta for the Atlanta Hawks and is a member of the Heather Hayes Band, where he sings, plays the keyboard and the sax, and arranges songs for the band. He has also started a YouTube video blog (youtube.com/sirfostermusic) which is updated weekly with new videos which feature Foster on the saxophone. In addition, Foster will be incorporating his company, Foster Carson Entertainment, LLC and working on a series of video tutorials for saxophone and piano. His debut album will be released in first quarter 2010.

Loving music came to Foster at a young age, when he didn’t even know it was special, just something he loved and was good at. But even as a child he knew enough to share those gifts with his community, his family and his church. Now Foster is ready to share it with the world. Playing music from the instruments themselves and not relying on computers, Foster is truly ahead of his contemporaries and a sought after musician. Self taught and always striving to be better, Foster is an artist worth listening too and seeing for your self.