Doc Watson | |
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Background information | |
Birth name | Arthel Lane Watson |
Also known as | Doc Watson |
Born | Deep Gap, North Carolina, U.S. | March 3, 1923
Died | May 29, 2012 Winston-Salem, North Carolina, U.S. | (aged 89)
Genres | |
Occupation(s) | Musician, singer-songwriter |
Instrument(s) | Vocals, guitar, banjo, harmonica |
Years active | 1953–2012 |
Labels | Folkways, Vanguard, United Artists, Flying Fish, Sugar Hill |
Spouse | Rosa Lee Carlton Watson |
Arthel Lane "Doc" Watson (March 3, 1923 – May 29, 2012) was an American guitarist, songwriter, and singer of bluegrass, folk, country, blues, and gospel music.[1] He won seven Grammy awards as well as a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. His fingerpicking and flatpicking skills, as well as his knowledge of traditional American music, were highly regarded.[2] Blind from a young age, he performed publicly both in a dance band and solo, as well as for over 15 years with his son, guitarist Merle Watson, until Merle's death in 1985 in an accident on the family farm.[3][4][5]