Gwen Foster

Gwin Stanley Foster (December 25, 1903 – November 25, 1954), also known as Gwen or Gwyn, was an old-time/country harmonica and guitar player who was known for work in The Carolina Tar Heels and the Blue Ridge Mountain Entertainers.

He was born in Caldwell, North Carolina, and died in Gastonia, North Carolina, the son of Joe Foster and Myra Elizabeth (nee Day). He worked in the textile mills, where he met banjoist Coble "Dock" Walsh, and they formed the band.

Birth and Death Data: Born December 25, 1903, Died November 25, 1954 (Gastonia)

Date Range of DAHR Recordings: 1921 - 1939

Roles Represented in DAHR: harmonica, guitar, vocalist, composer, songwriter, arranger, yodeling, whistling

= Recordings are available for online listening.
= Recordings were issued from this master. No recordings issued from other masters.

Recordings (Results 26-44 of 44 records)

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
Victor BVE-56622 10-in. 11/29/1929 Southern Jack Carolina Twins Male vocal duet, with guitar and harmonica (self-accompaniment) songwriter, vocalist, instrumentalist, harmonica  
Victor BVE-56623 10-in. 11/29/1929 Since my baby's gone away Carolina Twins Male vocal duet with guitars and harmonica (self-accompaniment) songwriter, vocalist, instrumentalist, guitar, harmonica  
Victor BVE-56624 10-in. 11/29/1929 I want my black baby back Carolina Twins Male vocal duet with guitars and harmonica (self-accompaniment) vocalist, whistling, instrumentalist, guitar, harmonica  
Victor BVE-56625 10-in. 11/29/1929 Gal of mine took my licker from me Carolina Twins Male vocal duet with guitars and harmonica (self-accompaniment) composer, vocalist, instrumentalist, guitar, harmonica  
Victor BVE-56626 10-in. 11/29/1929 A change in business all around Carolina Twins Male vocal duet with guitars and harmonica (self-accompaniment) vocalist, instrumentalist, guitar, composer, harmonica  
Victor BVE-56627 10-in. 11/29/1929 Charlotte hot step Fletcher and Foster [i.e., Carolina Twins] Guitar duet, with harmonica composer, instrumentalist, guitar, harmonica  
Victor BVE-56628 10-in. 11/29/1929 Red rose rag Fletcher and Foster [i.e., Carolina Twins] Guitar duet composer, instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor BVE-71617 10-in. 2/25/1932 Times ain't like they used to be Original Carolina Tar Heels Vocal and instrumental duet songwriter, vocalist, instrumentalist, guitar, harmonica  
Victor BVE-71618 10-in. 2/25/1932 Why should I care Carolina Tar Heels Vocal and instrumental duet songwriter, vocalist, instrumentalist, guitar, harmonica  
Victor BVE-71619 10-in. 2/25/1932 She shook it on the corner Carolina Tar Heels Vocal and instrumental duet songwriter, vocalist, instrumentalist, guitar, harmonica  
Victor BVE-71624 10-in. 2/25/1932 Nobody cares if I'm blue Original Carolina Tar Heels Vocal and instrumental duet songwriter, vocalist, instrumentalist, guitar, harmonica  
Victor BS-032663 10-in. 2/5/1939 How many biscuits can I eat? Gwen Foster Female vocal solo, with instrumental ensemble instrumentalist, harmonica, vocalist  
Victor BS-032665 10-in. 2/5/1939 Side-line blues Gwen Foster Female vocal solo, with 2 guitars and string bass instrumentalist, harmonica, vocalist  
OKeh S-7814 10-in. Mar. 1921 Southern Jack Norfolk Jazz Quartet Male vocal quartet, unaccompanied songwriter  
Brunswick E30122 10-in. 6/23/1929 Boarding house bells are ringing Kessinger Brothers Fiddle (violin) and guitar duet composer  
Brunswick E25453-E25454 10-in. 12/7/1927 Where is my mamma Robert A. Gardner ; Lester McFarland Male vocal duet, with guitar and mandolin composer  
Gennett 17074 10-in. 9/23/1930 Working so hard David Fletcher ; Gwen Foster Male vocal duet, with 2 guitars and harmonica instrumentalist, guitar, harmonica, vocalist  
Gennett 17075 10-in. 9/23/1930 Travelin' north David Fletcher ; Gwen Foster Male vocal duet, with 2 guitars and harmonica vocalist, instrumentalist, guitar, harmonica  
Gennett 17076 10-in. 9/23/1930 Going a courtin' Saxton Bros. Male vocal duet, with 2 guitars and harmonica vocalist, instrumentalist, guitar, harmonica  
(Results 26-44 of 44 records)

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Foster, Gwen," accessed November 2, 2024, https://adpprod1.library.ucsb.edu/names/111421.

Foster, Gwen. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved November 2, 2024, from https://adpprod1.library.ucsb.edu/names/111421.

"Foster, Gwen." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 2 November 2024.

DAHR Persistent Identifier

URI: https://adpprod1.library.ucsb.edu/names/111421

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