Recordings made in people’s homes by folklorists during the early 1960s documented music gatherings featuring various Watsons alongside neighbors and friends, collectively celebrating their community’s musical culture – a shared repertoire of Appalachian ballads, songs and tunes. Making music came naturally to Watson, who grew up in a large music-loving family. Today, Watson is viewed by artists and fans as one of the greatest guitarists of American roots music. During that time he was arguably America’s most beloved folk musician. Many of the musicians here shared their memories and picked out songs in his honor.Arthel Lane “Doc” Watson was born on March 3, 1923, in Stony Fork, North Carolina, in the Blue Ridge Mountains, but his music is as influential now – more than a decade after his 2012 death – as at any time during his long career. Photo of Doc's funeral service at Laurel Springs Baptist Church in Deep Gap. At the graveside, a smaller group of family and close friends sang "I'll Fly Away." As the sun peeked from behind gathering clouds in the brisk mountain springtime, we huddled close to each other, seeking comfort from the big loss that had suddenly torn our lives. Pastor Young and Reverend Watson reaffirmed Doc's strong religious faith. Randy Travis sent a special recorded message and a new recording of "Dr. We all agreed that Doc had profoundly affected and altered our lives. Cliff Miller recalled Doc as a great provider, to his family and to us. I spoke of Doc's influence in the world beyond the hills that surrounded us. David Holt recalled how, at every concert, someone would cry out "We love you, Doc," and that became the afternoon's rallying cry. Michael Coleman and Doc's friend Robert Doyle told of days on the road. Songs and stories brought laughter and tears. Michael Coleman, Mitch Greenhill, David Holt, Jack Lawrence (playing Doc's old Martin), Jeff Little, Cliff Miller, and Joe Smothers. Pastor Larry Young and Reverend Gary Watson, Doc's nephew, presided before an overflow crowd of mourners, who came to pay their respects to the musical giant.Īt the family's request, Charles Welch and Wayne Henderson sang "When I Lay My Burden Down," followed by the Krüger Brothers and then the group that assembles at Merlefest each year under the "My Friend Merle" banner: Sam Bush, T. Read article in Watauga Democrat.ĭoc Watson was laid to rest yesterday (Sunday, June 3, 2012), following a moving service at Laurel Springs Baptist Church in Deep Gap, North Carolina. A guitarist, Richard performed with Doc at MerleFest and other venues from 1991 until Doc’s death in 2012. Richard Watson, Doc's grandson and Merle's son, passed away on June 1, 2015. Read Press Release.ĭoc's wife Rosa Lee passes away six months later on November 22. The first Merlefest is held in remembrance of Merle Watsonĭoc receives the the National Medal of theĪchievement Award by the National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciencesĭoc passes away on May 29 at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center in Winston-Salem, NC following abdominal surgery. Merle Watson dies tragically in a tractor accident on the nightĭoc is awarded the National Heritage Fellowship by the Is followed by five more Grammys over the years Guitar for Doc at the Berkeley Folk Festivalĭoc receives his first Grammy award.
Merle starts learning the guitar in June he plays backup To New York to perform a concert sponsored by Friends of Old Time Musicĭoc's first solo appearance, at Gerde's Folk City In North Carolina to record Clarence "Tom" Ashleyĭoc, Gaither Carlton, Tom Ashley, Fred Price, and Clint Howard travel Son Eddy Merle Watson born (Named after Eddy Arnold and Merle Travis)ĭoc gets a job playing electric lead guitar in Jack Williams countryĭoc is "discovered" when Ralph Rinzler meets him while Township, near Deep Gap, North Carolina, on March 3, 1923
Arthel Lane "Doc" Watson born in Stoney Fork
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