Paul Foster (singer)
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Paul Foster (July 12, 1920 – August 20, 1995) was born in Grand Cane, Louisiana. He sang with the legendary gospel group, the Soul Stirrers, from 1950 to 1963. Foster sang second lead alongside two other gospel greats, Rebert Harris and Sam Cooke. Foster possessed a powerful, mournful tenor voice, a perfect foil to both Harris' and Cooke's sweeter more-flowery tenor styles. During his long career in gospel music, Foster also sang for other quartets such as the Rising Stars and the Golden Echoes. While nearly all of Foster's recordings take place in the recording studio, his powerful voice can be heard on the Soul Stirrers' dynamic performance on the album "The Great Shrine Concert of 1955", especially on the song "Be With Me Jesus", where Foster leads the group with his strong testimonial style.
Paul Foster was born on July 12, 1920, in Grand Cane, Louisiana, to Thomas and Lillie Williams Foster. As a young child, he sang in the family group ('The Fosters', which consisted of Paul and his six sisters: Jannie Mae, Hattie Mae, Ola Mae, Anna Mae, Midloise, and Patrice). Paul had one brother, Mitchell "Mitch" Foster. When he was 16, he joined the 'Hurricane Bluff Spiritual Gospel Singers'.
Early career
During the Second World War he served in the army at Fort Ord, California. and afterwards moved to Oakland, California. He brought his family: wife, Mary and children, Esther, Mary, Paul, Jr., Thomas and Barbara Ann to live with him. Here he joined and recorded with the 'Rising Stars' on the Berkeley-based Pacific label. Foster also sang with 'The Paramounts' and the 'Golden Harps'. After the death of his father in 1948 he joined 'Golden Echoes'. With this group he recorded for Specialty Recordings, for which he would later record with the Soul Stirrers. After only a few months he joined the 'Houston All-Stars'.