The University Daily Kansen
Thursday, February 22, 2001
Music
Section B • Page 3
At 77, musician embodies folk tradition
Fans consider guitarist an icon
Arthel "Doc" Watson absorbed the tradition of folk art while growing up in North Carolina. The 77-year-old guitarist played to a sold-out crowd of 1,300 at Johnson County Community College last month. Contributed art
By Richard Gintowt
joyplay @kansan.com
joyplay writer
"Music is the only vocation I've ever had," musician Doc Watson said. "I thank the good Lord because I love it."
At 77, Doc is in the twilight of his career as a performer and guitar icon. Among his fans and students, "Watson-style" guitar is to flat-picking guitarists what "Scruggs-style" banjo or "Monroe-style" mandolin is to bluegrass pickers. His distinctive guitar style, warm voice and uncanny ability to deliver a song have solidified his reputation as an elite folk performer. Though his reputation may draw a crowd, his modesty, warmth and sense of humor bring them back time after time.
Armed with a steel string guitar, a flat pick and a vast repertoire of songs traversing the vaults of blues, country, jazz, gospel, oldtime and bluegrass music, Doc played to a sold-out crowd of 1,300 at Johnson County Community College last month.
Complimented by guitarist Jack Lawrence, his musical partner of two decades, Doc performed oldtime country songs from artists such as Jimmie Rogers, The Carter Family and the Delmore Brothers, as well as interpreting traditional numbers such as "Shady Grove" and jazzy instrumentals such as "Sweet Georgia Brown."
"Doc mixes all types of American music," said John Erlinger, St. Louis junior, who attended the show. "He bridges the gap between old-time music and newer folk music."
Fans say that Watson has a knack for connecting intimately with his audience, putting himself into the character of the song. When he sings about the jailhouse blues, Doc sounds like he's singing from a lonesome concrete cell.
"Doc really knows how to tell a story," local musician Tony Ladesich said. "For me, seeing Doc is more that just seeing a great guitar player. I like to hear him sing." Admirers praise Doc for his genuine connection to the songs he plays, of which have their
roots in early 1900s blues and folk traditions. Raised in a musical family in Deep Gap, N.C., Arthel "Doc" Watson absorbed the traditions of folk music while growing up in the heart of Appalachia.
"Seeing Doc is like seeing the source," said Fred Wickman, who plays in the local band Hadacol. "There's no generational loss. He's as real as it gets."
Blind since infancy, his first experience with a stringed instrument was a banjo that his father built for him. When his Grandmother's 16-year-old cat died, Doc's father used the cat's skin to make the banjo head, an idea he got from a Sears & Roebuck catalog.
On stage, Doc told jokes between songs and Jack ruminated on his hometown's affection for Andy Griffith. During "Browns Ferry Blues," Doc momentarily forgot the lyrics as he chuckled at a line about "two old maids a' playin' in the sand, each one a' wishin' that the other was a man." Doc's laughter was contagious, and the audience responded with more laughter and applause.
A set list is out of the question for a musician who has arranged definitive versions of hundreds of songs and performed professionally for 50 years. Doc decides what to play during the course of the show and either whispers it in Jack's ear or simply begins to play.
"We just get up there and play like we're playing for each other in our living room." Jack said.
As blessed as Doc has been in his musical career, the tragic loss of his son and touring partner Merle in 1983 reminded him how lucky he is and how sacred life is. Although Doc found it difficult to play music following Merle's death, he felt that Merle would have wanted him to keep going. In remembrance of Merle, Doc presents Merlefest in Wilkesboro, N.C., which he expects to draw more than 50,000 fans.
"It's not uncommon for me to hear a song for the first time at the same time the audience hears it." Jack said. "Sometimes I can tell what song he's going to play simply by where he puts his cap."
Doc said his relationship to music nowadays was one of deep interest rather than excitement.
"When you're young, you do get all excited," he said. "But you get over that and you get to where
you're deeply interested in it. You love it and when you work at it, you're calm. I used to get all shook up when I got on the stage, but I've gotten over that."
After so many years performing, Doc has allowed himself to relax on practicing guitar a bit to focus on other priorities in his life.
"When you get to be my age, you don't play near as much as you did," he said. "I'll go two or three days sometimes without picking up my guitar, or even a week."
Doc said he took pride in influencing and entertaining people — "giving 'em some pleasure."
Jack said he thought Doc would rather be remembered as a good human being than a good guitar player. Both performers said they
More Doc Watson:
Listen to KJHK's "Lawnchair Review" at 8 a.m. Saturday on 90.7 FM for a closer look at Doc Watson's music and legacy. Read more about Doc Watson on www.kansan.com.
hoped their shows would be an inspiration to aspiring guitar pickers.
"I hear people come up to me all the time and say 'Well, I'm just gonna go home and trash my guitar,'" Jack said. "I'd rather people say 'Hey, this really makes me want to go home and play.' That's what I like to hear."
- Edited by Joshua Richards
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