Hi,

Doc's rendition is how he thought Merle Travis would play it. Merle also played with thumb and basically one finger (not like his son Thom Bresh).

Merle got his start playing for Georgia Skillet Licker Clayton McMichen after he moved to Louisville. Merle was just 17. When Merle got married both he and his bride were too young so Clayton posed as Merl's father and Bert Lane posed as the girl's father.

Both Doc and Chet loved Merle. So when Doc had a child he named his son Merle and now we have the Merle Watson Festival in North Wilkesboro, NC. And when Chet had a child he named his daughter, Merle and. . . that's all!!!

Richie