by Peter Upclaire (Author) Stephen Foster - Tenor Banjo Songbook for Beginners with Tabs and Chords Vol. 1 Stephen C. Foster (July 4, 1826 - January 13, 1864) needs no further introduction. He was the first fully professional U.S. songwriter. Because of his musical innovation, the popularity of his songs, and especially because of the quality of his songs, we most often call him "the father of American music." His hits from a century and a half ago, such as Oh Susanna, Camptown Races, Angelina Baker, Old Black Joe, Beautiful Dreamer, Old Dog Tray, and others, are gentle, incredibly rhythmic, and catchy for those times that they are still popular today.