Fred Foster Elected To Country Music Hall Of Fame. So Who Is Fred Foster?

Three Country Music Legends were introduced recently as the newest members of the prestigious Country Music Hall of Fame. These three gentlemen will enter the Hall and join the biggest names in country music history, names like Williams and Jones, Frizzell and Wynette, Lynn and Cline and Robbins.

You undoubtedly recognize two of these gentlemen.

Charlie Daniels has, for decades, been one of the biggest artist's in not only country music, but rock and bluegrass as well. How many times have you heard 'Devil Went Down To Georgia' and reached over and cranked the volume up, more than a little bit?

Randy Travis has one of the most beautiful and distinctive voice in country music history. From 'On The Other Hand' to 'Three Wooden Crosses' and so many more, Randy has always kept it country...and real good country! Many people already thought Randy was a Hall of Famer, and finally he has this well deserved honor.

• Touching Randy Travis Hall Of Fame Speech By Randy's Wife Mary

But wait, who's that other guy?

Well, that 'other guy' is Fred Foster. Personally, I first saw the name Fred Foster thanks to a man who I've always said is the greatest songwriter of the past half-century, Kris Kristofferson. When I was getting the first Kristofferson albums, I notice they were produced by a guy named Fred Foster on Monument Records. And that was that.

Except there was a lot more to that. A whole lot more.

Fred Foster was the founder of Monument Records, and is credited with the development of the career of one Roy Orbison! Yep, Fred produced most of Orbison's classics, including the signature classic 'Oh, Pretty Woman'. Well, that would be successful enough, but that was, well, only the beginning, as they say.

From Dolly Parton to Ray Stevens, Larry Gatlin to Grandpa Jones....and even Robert Mitchum and so many more...it was Fred Foster doing the producing. Oh, and by the way, Fred co-wrote 'Me And Bobby McGee' with Kristofferson.

In fact, in the 2000's Fred produced Willie Nelson albums and the iconic Will, Ray price and Merle Haggard LP Last Of The Breed.

So rather than referring to him as 'that other guy', go ahead and say it out loud: The 2016 Country Music hall Of Fame Class includes the great Charlie Daniels, the great Randy Travis and the legendary 84-year-old Fred Foster!