Arthel L. "Doc" Watson was born in Deep Gap, North Carolina, in 1922, to a rich musical family. Blind since infancy, Doc started playing harmonica and a homemade banjo as a child.

At 13, armed with a $12 Stella guitar, Doc learned both the traditional tunes passed down through his family as well as the new "pop" songs he heard on the radio and records. Yet it wasn't until Doc was 30 that he started earning money for his music. Hooking up with a local piano player, Doc played rockabilly and swing for pay and traditional tunes in his free time.

The '60s folk revival brought Doc out of the mountains and into the spotlight. Since his "discovery," Doc has been a full time musical artist. He's played concerts, clubs, colleges and festivals all over the country, including the Newport Folk Festival the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, and Carnegie Hall. His style includes everything from Appalachian folk music roots to rockabilly, blues, country, gospel, and bluegrass. Today Doc is acknowledged by fans and critics alike as one of the world's most accomplished flat-pickers and his artistic influence cannot be overstated. Doc's many accolades and honors include five Grammy Awards, two honorary degrees, The National Heritage Fellowship, and The National Medal of Arts.

Doc Watson is a disciple of the legendary guitarist, Merle Travis. Together with Merle Travis and Chet Atkins, he made up the trinity of country guitar. Doc was able to record with his hero before his death.

Doc Watson is traditional music's foremost goodwill ambassador. He has recorded over 50 albums, blending Appalachian folk music with bluegrass, country, gospel and the blues to become the personifications of the term Americans. Virtuoso fiddle player Mark O'Connor believes Doc to be "as progressive as anybody I've ever heard. There is no skill on the guitar that Doc hasn't mastered, whether it be speed, tone or feeling. Suffice to say, both Doc's talent and his influence on traditional American music is immeasurable.?

Life couldn't contain Doc's beloved son Merle. In 1985 the 36-year old died in a tragic tractor accident mere miles from home. A festival in his honor, Merlefest, was started in his honor and has become the largest and most bluegrass festival in the United States.

A historical meeting between Chet Atkins and Doc Watson, two of the 20th century's most influential American guitarists, was documented in 1980. Released for the first time on CD, Reflections was an artifact for the ages and should be inspiration for guitarists for generations to come.

The Watson family musical tradition continues with yet another generation. An album called Third Generation Blues finds Doc carrying the Watson legacy forward, this time with Merle's son, Richard, on 2nd guitar.

Doc Watson is semi-retired now, but he still plays concerts occasionally.

Reflections (Sugar Hill SH-3896, 1980)

Trouble In Mind: The Doc Watson Country Blues Collection

DOC WATSON Trouble In Mind: The Doc Watson Country Blues Collection Doc Watson At Gerdes Folk City

Foundation: The Doc Watson Guitar Instrumental Collection, 1964-1998

Docabilly

My Dear Old Southern Home

Memories

On Praying Ground

Portrait

Riding the Midnight Train

Round The Table Again

Doc's Guitar. Fingerpicking and Flatpicking. 90 minute DVD includes tab booklet. Produced by Smithsonian/Folkways and Homespun Video.

Flatpicking With Doc. 80-min. video, Includes music + tab book. Homespun Video.

Doc's Guitar. 90 Min Video, Includes Music and Tab. Produced by Smithsonian/Folkways and Homespun Video