Doc Watson

Description: Old Time Music, Bluegrass, Singer/Songwriter

Comparisons: Woody Guthrie, Pete Seeger, and Hank Williams, Sr., come to mind when thinking of Doc Watson.

Trivia Fact: Doc Watson got his name when a studio executive asked what the name of the guy on the recording was. Since nobody in the room knew the answer, they decided just to call him "Doc."

Artists Influenced by Doc Watson: Doc's influence has been felt throughout the Folk and Bluegrass communities. This includes legends like Bob Dylan and Pete Seeger.

Starter CDs: Then and Now (Tomato, 1973). Songs from Home (Capitol/EMI, 2002). From Gerdes Folk City (Sugar Hill, 2001).

Quote from Doc Watson: "I just loved the guitar when it came along. I loved it. The banjo was something I really liked, but when the guitar came along, to me that was my first love in music."

Background Info: Arthel Lane (Doc) Watson was born in March, 1923, in Deep Gap, North Carolina. Before his first birthday, his eyes became infected, and he lost his sight.

At the age of 24, Doc married Rosa Lee Carlton, with whom he had two children. In 1953, he started playing lead electric guitar in Jack Williams' Country and Western Swing Band. Seven years later, he was discovered as a solo artist.

Soon after, Doc made his first appearance at the New York's premier Folk venue of the time: Gerde's Folk City. Following his appearance at Gerde's, Doc's son Merle began learning how to play the guitar.

Over the next several years, Merle toured with his father playing backup guitar, until his death due to a tractor accident in 1985. By then, Doc had received his first Grammy award.

Known primarily for his flatpicking and fingerpicking styles, Doc Watson is revered for his masterful guitar playing, and has inspired artists in country, folk, bluegrass, and old time music.

Doc has received seven Grammy awards (including the Lifetime Achievement Award), and was inducted into the International Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame in 2000.
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