Aaron “Frosty” Foster, a 25-year-old currently studying Bluegrass, Old Time, & Country Music at East Tennessee State University, has released his debut album, Opening Doors.

Foster has always been interested in bluegrass music. He spent much of his youth traveling to and from bluegrass festivals in New England, and was only ten years old when he asked for a guitar for Christmas. His grandparents, George and Etta Crawford, helped make sure his wish came true by asking their friend Eric Gibson (of current bluegrass supergroup The Gibson Brothers) to help. A trip to Gibson’s former place of work, Dick’s Country Store and Music Oasis in Churubusco, New York, ended with the purchase of an Alvarez guitar.

Like many bluegrassers, Foster’s first music lessons were from his father, and he was soon participating in the music scene in New England. After graduating high school in 2010 he found his way to ETSU to study Business Management. After enrolling in a few bluegrass courses (which he intended to be electives), Foster became increasingly involved in the playing and jamming on campus and in the local area. He ultimately decided to focus on his music full time, and earn a minor in Bluegrass, Old Time, & Country Music Studies to pair with a Interdisciplinary Studies degree.

Originally from Wells Bridge, New York, Foster expects to graduate in the Fall of 2017. He was recently chosen again for the guitar spot in the ETSU Bluegrass Pride Band, and will perform with the group for the Fall of 2017. He is currently earning a living by teaching music lessons and performing with the band Dreamcatcher and expects to remain in East Tennessee following graduation to pursue a career in bluegrass music.

Foster has a long list of top notch performers accompanying him on the record, including Eric and Leigh Gibson of the Gibson Brothers, 2015 Grand Master Fiddler Champion Aynsley Porchak, former bass player for The Roys Jaime Carter, guitarist Wyatt Rice, as well as ETSU instructors and award-winning musicians Brandon Green and Adam Steffey. “It was an honor to have such heroes and long time friends appear on my debut album,” Foster says. “I’m truly grateful.”

The album is currently available through several online retailers, including iTunes, Amazon, GooglePlay and CDBaby. It is also available through Airplay Direct for radio broadcasters.