Doc Watson, the Grammy award-winning folk musician whose lightning-fast style of flatpicking influenced guitarists around the world for more than a half-century, died Tuesday at a hospital in Winston-*Salem, according to a hospital spokeswoman and his manager. He was 89. Arthel ‘‘Doc’’ Watson’s mastery of flatpicking helped make the case for the guitar as a lead instrument in the 1950s and 1960s, when it was often considered a backup for mandolin, fiddle, or banjo. His fast playing could intimidate other musicians, even his own grandson, who performed with him [ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U5c1k949Zn4]"Tennessee Stud" played by Doc Watson and Jack Lawrence - YouTube[/ame] [ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8A9vL9hc1oQ]Doc Watson Summertime - YouTube[/ame]
RIP, sir. We have been losing celebs and, much more importantly, legends, at a rate I don't care for lately... :frown5:
mudcat.org: Obit: Doc Watson 1923 - 2012 Saw, experienced, listened to, was blown away by & etc. by Doc and Merle at a whole string of Walnut Valley Festivals over the years. The gentle man was THE master of any stage and he owned the stage. The fingers grow cold but the ballad will never die.