Haven't met Doc Watson or seen him play inperson. I have both Norman Blake. And watched him play Church St. Blues, from 5 feet away. The aspect that astounds me is that he makes it look so g-ddamn easy! I'm like ... "I can do that, it's real easy." NOT!

I have found that the pickers who make it look the easiest are the ones who are the most comfortable with themselves.

Let's face it ... seeing Doc or Norman or Rick play, and "thinking" how easy it must be, has to have an influence on wouldbe or shouldbe or couldbe pickers. And what a compliment to those three pickers that they have that ability to inspire others.

I think it's perfectly okay to want to pick like the above three musicians. Most will eventually gain their own style, some won't. There is most certainly a difference between having the "gift" and having the "talent." Doc, Norman, and Rick are gifted. But having the talent will take you to the heights, too.

Me? I wish I had the "gift" for pickin' ... I don't. I just want to be a good picker.