Billy Joe Foster passes
We have learned that Billy Joe Foster, noted Oklahoma picker, passed away today at 51 years of age.
A talented multi-instrumentalist, Foster played fiddle with Bill Monroe, bass with Country Gazette, and several instruments with Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder.
He was also the banjo player with a band called Special Edition in the 1980s, which featured future country star Joe Diffie, plus Craig and Terry Fletcher.
Billy Joe had been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis a few years ago, but the limited information we have at this time indicates he finally succumbed to pneumonia.
Services are scheduled for this Saturday (1/26) at the New Hope Church in Duncan, OK.
Rest in peace, Billy Joe Foster.
Category: Obituary
About the Author (Author Profile)
John had served as primary author and editor for The Bluegrass Blog from its launch in 2006 until being folded into Bluegrass Today in September of 2011. He continues in that capacity here, managing a strong team of columnists and correspondents.
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David
Chris
Richard Thompson
Chris
Daniel
John
John
I would’ve liked to have knoewn him . He’s in Musical Heaven now. Keep the Angles picken Billy.
Rich Freeze
R.I.P Billy Joe
Great Bluegrass Picker’s never die they just move up to the Celestial Bluegrass Band in the sky.
Billy Joe and I became friends a couple years ago after I was diagnosed with MS. We also had a love for music. Talking to him and going over to his house for pickens’ will always be one of my fondest memories. He was a great friend, mentor, and loved God dearly. rip Billy
Billy Joe was my cousin here in Duncan, so I got to enjoy his playing for years. He would play at are family reunions, we always enjoyed that. He was a very sweet person. I have many pictures to remember him by. He had a very nice funeral, the flowers were beautiful, and the music he would have loved. RIP Billy