Being a songwriter myself, I have always been interested in those that came before me. Going back to the biblical King David, then Robbie Burns, Stephen Foster, Hank Williams and many more.

Some died young, Robbie Burns -37- Stephen Foster-37- Hank Williams was only 29 when he died in the back seat of his car, on a cold snowy road sometime in the middle of a lonely night. But these writers left the world a better place for their being here and for the songs they gave us.

Stephen Foster blazed a trail for the rest of us to follow. Born July 4th - 1826- His first big song-"OH SUSANAH", came Out just before the gold rush to California in 1849. "SWANNEE RIVER" is the state song of Florida. Although Stephen never did see the "Swannee", that old river that winds through Florida on it's way to the Gulf of Mexico, he did make it a household name around the world.

" MY OLD KETUCKY HOME" is the state song of Kentucky. While he spent three years in Cinncinnatti, he could look across the Ohio River and see the sun shining bright on a little cabin nestled in the hills of Kentucky, perhaps his inspiration.

Stephen Foster showed us the face and the very soul of the people that first came to America against their will. He let us see their laughter and hear their cry. Although he died at just 37 years old, with but 38 cents to his name, he has left us a rich legacy in his beautiful songs.