June 10, 1985 at St Louis, MO. Musicians often search for a sound ... that certain something that sets them apart from all the rest. Foehner was born with a sound. His playing is unusual, even within the confines of Folk Ragtime. Of all the Folk Rag composers, Gale is the closest to the beginnings of Ragtime. In a way, his work parallels Brun Campbell's but on a totally different line. Among his major titles are "EK Rag", "Gravois Street Rag", and "Carondelet."
Gale's luck and general fortune have never been of the best but he takes that in stride. Despite the efforts of friends, Gale Foehner's work will not be fully recognized or realized in his lifetime. He relocated to the far west for several years in the 1990s but has returned to St. Louis. Gale is retired, but often works on pianos, odd jobs, and occasional refinishing. He still plays the ragtime festivals and is actively composing. I am probably one of the Gale Foehner Archivists as Gale has always recorded tapes of his new compositions and sent them to me. I listen more to Gale Foehner than I do any other ragtime player (with David Roberts a close second). And that's been going on for 25 years. His tape/CD Alabama Bound is a masterpiece of Folk Ragtime playing and composition ... and like all great player/composers ... the music is unique unto himself. It was a privelege in my life to have heard his work and known the man. Thanks Gale.