Bill Foster Music: Strasburg, VA

"Music For Thems That Knows!"

Greetings, Music Lovers! My name is Bill Foster and I am a musician based in the Northern Shenandoah Valley town of Strasburg, Virginia. I play guitar and mandolin and sing lead and harmony vocals.

My primary interest is Bluegrass music which I have followed since the early 1970's, however I also enjoy other genres of music.

I have played with a number of bands but most recently from 2006 through 2010, I was a member of Strasburg, Virginia's Five of a Kind. Prior to that, from 2000 to 2005, I was a member of SW Florida's Swinging Bridge band.

Since 1995, I have been a contributing writer for Bluegrass Unlimited magazine and currently write their "Additional Releases" column. Also since 1995 I have been a professional member of the IBMA - International Bluegrass Music Association and I am a 2004 graduate of their Leadership Bluegrass program.

I am currently producer/host of an Bluegrass radio program, "Foster's Corner", broadcast on WAMU's Bluegrass Country.



My Gear!
I normally play a mid-70's Gibson J45 acoustic guitar.
I use John Pearse strings and Dunlop Tortex .73mm picks.
The guitar has a L.R.Baggs passive pickup and I use a new L.R.Baggs PARA DI Studio Box for pre-amp and EQ.
I play a 2001 Pricetone mandolin (#0026) with John Pearse 80/20 strings.
Occasionally I bring out my 1943 Martin 000-21 which I mic acoustically.
For Mics, I prefer either an SM58 or EV Cobalt for vocals.
I use an SM57 for instruments.
My PA is a Behrenger 6-channel mixer, 2 channel 15-band EQ, and an iNuke 1000 watt power amp. I use either Kustom or Phonic speakers.

Rick and Bill

Rick Burnette and I play as a duo around the Shenandoah Valley area.
We regularly play at the Hotel Strasburg in Strasburg, VA each Thursday evening from 6:00PM to 8:30PM.