Well Marty, if you ARE serious...the answer is YES. I can almost guarantee it...but from my experience, here's what you'll have to do. The price may be too high, but there are some amazing rewards.

1. Set a goal, time wise. From how you've described your own skills, I'd say six months.

2. Doc is a COUNTRY musician. You must listen to the folks who inspired him to such dedication. The Delmore Brothers, The Carter Family, Carson Robison, Jimmie Rodgers etc. are often mentioned when he talks about his influence. Many of these artists' recordings are available on the net. Start tomorrow. Order an album of each (it'll take a couple of weeks to get 'em, and that's when your "6 months" start. Spend the first few days just listening to what they do. Doc did.

3. Doc has played on a Gibson J-45, a Martin D-18, and various Gallaghers. If you don't have a top quality instrument right now, invest in one...even if it hurts financially. Don't say "oh I'll get a good axe if I stick with it." Make the sacrifice now, and it'll help make you want to justify it.

4. Budget 2 hours of EVERY day to practice, For the first six months. After that you can probably get away with missing the odd day. My suggestion is split 'em into an hour apiece, but the key thing is you cant cheat...even if it means missing TV or even your kid's soccer game. This is where a lotta folks can't make the commitment.

5. With a flatpick (you mentioned Beaumont Rag) start playing simple up and down strokes on the same note (say a "G" on the sixth string) over and over again until it's reasonably fast. Go to the fifth string (a "C" note) and do the same thing. Keep doing this til you can play the same "up and down" on every string at the same speed and smootheness. This should take about 3 or 4 days, and is bloody tedious. (but it's neccessary to reach your goal)

6. Play all the notes in a G scale (from bass to treble) and then back again, gradually playing faster and faster. Same with a C scale, and then a D scale (starting with the F# on the sixth string.

7. Notice that you still have'nt played a chord or a song? Yup, that's right. What you're doing is starting to get a bit of that "Doc Watson right hand strength". OK start playing some simple songs in G and C. Nuthin flashy (Keep 'em COUNTRY!) Oh and don't forget to always warm up with your little up and down scales. If you've been sticking to the schedule, by about the four week mark they'll be getting pretty smoothe. But just sing some songs for fun.

8. Now the hard part. Gotta find yourself a teacher! DON"T , repeat DON"T go to a teacher who isn't familiar with Doc's music. If you live in a big city it'll be easier to find an accomplished country-folk picker who not only LIKES to teach but also can put it on the line as a performer. If you're in a rural area it may be harder, but ask around. Ther'll be someone, even if they're fifty miles away. If you hear of a good picker, but they don't teach usually, be bold. Ask nicely, and show them that by you having a top notch instrument, a good command of chords and a rapidly improving right hand, that you're serious and have made a total commitment. Trust me they'll be flattered. Remember one two hour session every three weeks with a teacher who cares, is worth twenty sessions with a clock watcher, who plunks a Mel Bay book in front of you.

9. Buy a Doc Watson video (only use tab for an exceptionally difficult passage where you or your teacher can't figure it out. NEVER use tab for whole songs, or you'll get tied to it and your ear won't develop) Get your teacher to help sort out the various runs and how the chords are played. They won't seem anywhere NEAR as mysterious now that you've done your homework.

10. Now start on finger picking (You mentioned "SouthBound") Get a thumbpick...'cause that's how he gets "That" sound, and start learning a thumb-index, thumb middle roll. You have to learn the right hand before you start playing the songs....just like a carpenter MUST learn to use his tools before building anything worthwhile. Learn the "double thumb" pattern...Thumb, Thumb, thumb, index, thumb, middle. That's the one that gives you that "bounce"!

This is what you do for the first three months. The second three is two hours a day of playing the songs (from the videos or CDs or your teacher....whatever)

Believe me. Try it this way (if you can) and I promise you , you'll accomplish your goal.

Rick

5. With a flatpick (you mentioned Beaumont Rag)