Stephen Foster (1826-1864) was a 19th century composer who helped shape and invent American popular music. His songs, originally written either for minstrel shows or to be sung in the home parlor, have become staples and many today are considered popular children's songs.
Foster's songs, which have been performed many times in different Muppet or Sesame Street projects, include the following:
- "Oh! Susanna" (1848)
- "Camptown Races" (1850)
- "Old Folks at Home" (1851)
- "Jeanie with the Light Brown Hair" (1854)
- "Beautiful Dreamer" (1864)
References
- Big Bird plays the Foster-penned "My Old Kentucky Home" on his toy piano in Episode 1349 of Sesame Street, telling Olivia, "You can't beat Stephen Foster."