At just three years old, Rennie Foster wowed audiences as he debuted his drumming skills on stage performing with his parents. Rennie’s appearance, shared by his mother in a video on Instagram, marked a captivating family moment on stage, impressing audiences and hinting at a promising musical future.
In a delightful showcase of emerging talent, Katharine McPhee and David Foster’s son, Rennie, at just 3 years old, captured the hearts of fans during a performance on stage at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., on February 25.
The celebrated musical duo introduced their son to the stage, where he joined them and showcased his talent for playing the drums.
McPhee took to Instagram to share this special occurrence, captioning the video, “had a VERY special guest join us on stage for the first time 
#ProudMom.”
In the video, lasting just over 30 seconds, Rennie is seen playing the drums with vigor as his father plays the piano and McPhee moves to the rhythm of “St. Elmo’s Fire (Man in Motion).”
Despite Rennie’s apparent involvement with the drums, the “American Idol” alum was quick to clarify the reality behind the adorable performance. In a candid revelation in the comments section, she explained:
“By the way… I hope people realize that JR -the legend-@johnjrrobinson1 -our incredible drummer is drumming & Rennie is only copying to the best of his ability unmic’d- and it was cute to watch his first on stage debut.”
Katharine McPhee and David Foster at the 2024 MusiCares Person of the Year gala at the LA Convention Center in Los Angeles on February 2, 2024 | Source: Getty Images
The clip has since become a hit among fans, praising the couple’s “child prodigy.” One person wrote, “Omg he’s too good I can’t deal. Bring him to every show!,” while others expressed how adorable Rennie was on stage, writing, “This is the cutest thing in the world” and “My heart. Stop it right now this is the most precious thing I have seen.”
Fans also acknowledged the source of Rennie’s talent. Addressing McPhee, one wrote, “Amazing talent! He’s clearly inherited both of your musical dominant genes!” Meanwhile, another fan conveyed, “I love it……Mommy sidestage cheering on her future star Rennie Foster!“
Katharine McPhee performing on Season 4 of “American Idol” | Source: Getty Images
Rennie’s drumming aptitude had already made waves before this recent performance. In January, his mother uploaded a TikTok video revealing his musical flair.
In the clip, Rennie energetically drums to Michael Jackson’s “Rock With You” on his personalized red drum set. On the sidelines, his father observes with amusement, offering guidance at moments.
In the text overlaying the video, McPhee reveals, “my 2-year-old baby is a genius.” She then guides the camera through a hallway to the room where Rennie is playing the drums.
Dressed in a gray T-shirt and sporting headphones, Rennie is fully immersed, masterfully keeping pace with the King of Pop’s rhythm. Foster, clearly enjoying the scene, nods in sync with the beat.
Rennie had just turned three last week, and the family marked this special occasion with a trip to Disney World, an event McPhee captured and shared on Instagram.
She revealed that they ventured on as many rides as possible, thoroughly enjoying themselves, except one ride that left them feeling queasy.
McPhee was pleasantly surprised by Rennie’s bravery when meeting Mickey Mouse; he wasn’t the least bit scared and even high-fived the iconic character, while she managed an awkward hug. Moreover, she highlighted a pianist whose performance earned Foster’s nod of approval.
Their culinary adventures were also featured, including the delectable pastries they indulged in. A memorable moment during their meal was Rennie pretending to play the drums with a pair of straws, a playful act his father happily joined in on.
Rennie’s journey into the spotlight at just three years old offers more than just a glimpse of his emerging talent. It opens a window into the distinct parenting approaches of his parents.
Despite their harmonious life, the couple faces differences in their parenting styles, shaped by the generational gap between them.
David Foster and Katharine McPhee at the press night after-party for “Waitress: The Musical” on March 7, 2019, in London, England | Source: Getty Images
Foster, who already has five grown-up children, prefers a traditional way of disciplining. He thinks it’s time to start setting rules for Rennie, but McPhee doesn’t fully agree. She believes in a gentler approach, focusing on patience and understanding instead of punishment like time-outs.
“My take is that you can have more mindful parenting opposed to just assuming that a two or three-year-old can have time alone to reflect on what they’ve done poorly,” McPhee revealed in November.
Their different approaches on how to discipline their child, with McPhee describing Foster’s as “results-based,” don’t cause fights between them. Instead, they respect each other’s opinions.
McPhee sees discipline as something they should do together, slowly, as Rennie grows. She thinks it’s important for Rennie to learn about personal space and how to behave from interacting with others outside the family, like teachers and classmates.
Their story, alongside Rennie’s early steps into music, highlights how they’re working to bring him up as a kind and well-rounded person. Despite their different methods, their main goal is to raise Rennie with love, respect, and patience.
