Posted on 05/29/2012 6:34:16 PM PDT by NCDragon
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. — Doc Watson, the Grammy-award winning folk musician whose lightning-fast style of flatpicking influenced guitarists around the world for more than a half-century, died Tuesday at a hospital in Winston-Salem, according to a hospital spokeswoman and his manager. He was 89.
Watson, who was blind from age 1, recently had abdominal surgery that resulted in his hospitalization.
Arthel "Doc" Watson's mastery of flatpicking helped make the case for the guitar as a lead instrument in the 1950s and 1960s, when it was often considered a backup for the mandolin, fiddle or banjo. His fast playing could intimidate other musicians, even his own grandson, who performed with him.
Gov. Beverly Perdue called him a "worldwide ambassador of North Carolina's culture and heritage."
"Over his long and brilliant career, Doc Watson traveled the world playing the music he loved, but his heart never strayed far from his home in Deep Gap, North Carolina," Perdue said in a statement. "He will be missed."
(Excerpt) Read more at wral.com ...
Doc, the circle is unbroken, hug merle and know
that we miss you, my eyes are filled with tears.
t.
RIP Doc!
Saw him and Merle at a bluegrass festival. Man they could flat play!! Great music!!
Saw Doc in 1979 with Merle. Great show.
RIP Doc!
Wonderful musician.
He taught me my right hand, which has served me well for 40 years. My gosh,,,,, I’m so sad! An American Music icon, And more important to me than I can describe. RIP Doc! I’ll miss you!
Doc and Merle and the Frosty Morning Band was a great live recording that showcased the awesome chemistry of the two Watsons. Man, I’m really saddened by his death. I’ll have to dig this album out and have a listen. RIP Doc!
Many years ago, in Field & Stream or one of those mags, a writer had an article about “The Shotgunner’s Mystique.” He was referring to the almost mysterious ability to rapid fire a shotgun at live game, or clay targets, and the instant ability to lead the moving target before pulling the trigger. The same can be said for many fields of endeavor, such as a MLB batter hitting a 99 mph fastball, etc.
Another shining example would be such as was demonstrated in a video of Doc Watson playing “Black Mountain Rag” and the mind-boggling swiftness of pick on the guitar strings with one hand, and the fingers of the other hand flying around over the fret board.
What came to my mind watching it was Psalms 139:14 “I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.”
Even more remarkable was that, because he was sightless, Doc Watson couldn’t “peek.” His was pure, unvarnished professionalism.
I have to admit, I had no idea who this was, but I gotta tell you, I’ve been enjoying the hell out of learning a little about him and watching some videos of him om YouTube.
A great talent, for sure.
He was an American original, a musical treasure.
A long life, well-lived.
Ron Thomason of The Dry Branch Fire Squad said one of the mostest existentialist moments of his life was when he went to Doc’s house, and found him up on the roof, adjusting the tv antenna!
Godspeed, Doc!
RIP, Doc ........................................ FRegards
First saw him in the mid 1960s, amazing.
As much as I enjoy Amazing Grace played with bagpipes, this is the best performance of the song I’ve ever heard. It truly reaches down and touches your soul:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dUDwAgApoQw&feature=related
Heaven has claimed another great for it’s string section.
Right on froggy.
Earl Scruggs and Doc Watson, two months apart almost to the day.
I hope Dr. Stanley is in good health, these things happen in threes.
Thank you for the many years of great music that you gave us. Prayers up for your family left behind, but its great that you are with Merle again.
Truley a pioneer. Although I’ve been big Chet Atkins fan and for past couple of years Tommy Emmanuel has push me beyond anything I’ve ever dreamed of getting these 56 year old fingers to do.
We also lost Doug Dillard about a week ago. God must be planning one heck of a festival!
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