Rest In Peace, Doc Watson

Legendary guitarist and union member dead at 89

Since our last email update, the legendary guitarist and member of AFM Local 546, Doc Watson, has died. He was 89 years old.

Doc was born near Deep Gap, North Carolina. His hometown paper, the Watauga Democrat, published an excellent remembrance of the musician and the man, today.

Two years ago, Doc Watson was asked for his blessing before being enshrined in bronze on the streets of downtown Boone, just a few feet from where he once busked for change outside the local drug store — before New York City and MerleFest and the National Medal of Arts.

Watson would permit such adulation on one condition only: that his life-sized, meticulously sculpted likeness be accompanied by a five-word addendum. And so it is that folks remember him, Watauga County's most famous son: “Doc Watson: Just One of the People.”

Click here to enjoy video of Doc picking "Deep River Blues":

How will you remember Doc Watson? Let us know in the comments below.