Chronicle: Country Music Hall of Fame member Fred Foster passed away last night (2/20) after a brief illness. He was 87. Foster was the founder of Monument Records and served as publisher at Combine Music, playing a pivotal role in the careers of Dolly Parton, Kris Kristofferson, Willie Nelson and Roy Orbison, among others. Foster was a member of the North Carolina Hall of Fame, the Musicians Hall of Fame and a recipient of the Leadership Music Dale Franklin Award in addition to being a 2016 inductee of the CMHoF. Find more on Foster's career here. A memorial service is being planned for March; details are forthcoming.

"I revere Fred Foster, the legend who brought us the gritty genius of Kris Kristofferson, the enduring hits of Roy Orbison, and the abiding talent of Dolly Parton," says CMHoF CEO Kyle Young. "But today, I'm also mourning Fred Foster, the legend who brought me laughter, goodwill, and fried pies. 'Foster' was the only fitting surname for this man who fostered artistry, individuality and broad-minded decency."