from Smithsonian-Folkways e-mail:
Happy birthday, Doc Watson! Born in the rural community of Deep Gap, North Carolina, on March 3, 1923, Watson would be celebrating his 100th birthday today. He was one of nine children in a large musical family, and grew up listening to hymns, ballads, and down-home string band music. From earliest childhood, Doc played the harmonica, a “stocking stuffer” present from his mother, and at age seven he got a homemade banjo from his father.

He was “discovered” by folklorists Ralph Rinzler and Eugene Earle in the late summer of 1960, and would go on to become one of America’s most highly regarded acoustic guitarists. He performed at the White House for President Jimmy Carter, and earned eight GRAMMY Awards (including a Lifetime Achievement Award).

"Doc was generous with his time. He would speak with people between sets and show aspiring guitarists how he did things," wrote producer Peter K. Siegel. "Talk to people today about Doc Watson and you will likely find someone who got an informal guitar lesson after a college concert, and another person whom Doc visited for a home-cooked meal while he was on the road." Browse Watson's legendary discography in our catalog here.
Doc Watson - Smithsonian Folkways

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