Mentoring Billboard

Paul [Anka] had a favorite expression that has stayed with me to this day: 'Good is the enemy of great.' I firmly believe that. Anybody can be good; the challenge—in everything—is to be great.”  David Foster

David Foster is unique among his peers in the world of music, with a history of remarkable accomplishments. He is a 16-time GRAMMY winner, 3-time Oscar nominee, Emmy winner, renowned producer, songwriter, TV host, noted author and record company executive. But what further sets him apart is his uncanny ability to recognize people of talent and the commercial success that lies before them.

In his position, he receives hundreds if not thousands of "demo" tapes and CDs each year. Yet out that overwhelming deluge of vocal talent he found Celine Dion, a young teenager singing under a tent near Montreal, Josh Groban, a voice student whose tape was the last one in the stack, Michael Buble, whom he heard singing oldies at a wedding...and the list goes on. All of them share a common bond now: international superstars heard the world over.

David hears potential and then mentors each artist to help them discover the magic he has already imagined. Many artists have been the recipients of his tireless efforts to bring the very best out of each incredible voice—Barbara Streisand, Whitney Houston, Andrea Bocelli, Madonna, Michael Jackson, Natalie Cole, Kenny Loggins, Michael Bolton, Seal and Charice, along with famed groups Chicago, Earth, Wind & Fire and All 4 One. David has also mentored numerous other singers who may not have reached stardom, but still achieved their dreams by becoming professional background singers, Broadway performers and teachers.

We then, are the ultimate beneficiaries of David's rare gift for discovering talent and knowing exactly how to mentor, coach, produce and promote those artists until their inspiring songs become our favorites—indeed, some of the greatest music in the world.

David is an example of someone who gives not only of his talent but of his time. In addition to his incredible work in the music community, he is a true philanthropist. He created the David Foster Foundation, an organization which creates organ donor awareness and is dedicated to providing financial support to families with children in need of life-saving organ transplants. He also participates in helping many other charities (Muhammad Ali's Parkinson Center, Andre Agassi's Grand Slam for Children, Project Clean Water and Red Cross, to name a few).

Through David’s work in the communities around him, he provides an inspirational example of how to create positive change. Perhaps we might find an opportunity to give of ourselves or mentor someone to help them discover their own untapped potential.

Mentoring...Pass It On.