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A Foster Kids Biography

The Foster Kids began as a trio in the summer of '94 with Tommy and Mitch Foster on guitar and keyboards, and with Donovan Popps playing drums. The group survived on rehashed cover tunes from the old Foster & Popps (Tommy and Donovan's older brother Buddy), and a few new arrangements put together on choice weekends at the Red Rooster Tavern between Whitehall and North Muskegon (Michigan).

As fall brought them back to East Lansing for school and work, they added bassist Michael Fredericks and guitarist Jeff Starr. They began performing on Thursday nights at Tripper's Sports Bar (Lansing), picking up new songs and friends along the way.

In January of '95, Donovan relocated to Chicago for employment with Motorola (now he's in Texas), and drummer Dave Mace stepped in upon referral from Mike Frederick's other band, Global Village. The kids then began playing Rick's American Cafe and P.T. O'Malley's in East Lansing and started to do some original material in addition to their vast array of cover material.

4th of July, '96 -- the kids squeezed together one last recording session to finish their debut CD before Dave and his wife Becky loaded up their truck and moved to Texas (now they're parents Michigan). The kids then picked up drummer Stu Sonefeld, aquired the guitar talents of Bob Motykca as a part-time guitarist and the audio engineering expertise of Rich Frembes. The Foster Kids then played out relentlessly, worked on many new originals, many "new" covers, got some good press, and expanded their presence and shows throughout Michigan.

September, '98 The Kids have another shift on drums: Steve Merchant joins the group bringing loads of experince with bands such as Hello Dave, Daphne Blue, and Daddy Longlegs along with drumming and vocal talents galore.

1999 The Kids release their second original recording, Gadzooks! and continue a rigourous playing schedule.

January, 2000 - The Kids take a break. Rich Frembes moves to the East Coast for a real job in audio engineering.

June 2000 - The Kids begin a weekly show at the Dollar Nightclub (East Lansing) as "The Tommy Foster Five"

April 2001 - The Kids begin a weekly show at Tripper's in Frandor (Lansing) with Tommy, Mitch, Jeff, Bob on bass, and Mark Jagman on drums.