Arthel Lane “Doc” Watson (1923-2012) was born 100 years ago today in Deep Gap, North Carolina. Here he performs his arrangement of “Deep River Blues.” By the time Doc was “discovered” by folklorists Ralph Rinzler and Eugene Earle in the late summer of 1960, he was already a proficient guitarist with a local reputation. Through Rinzler and Earle’s efforts, Doc was brought onto the folk music circuit of coffee houses, colleges, and festivals. He would go on to become one of America’s premier acous

FOUNDING MASTER: DOC WATSON (1923-2012) Country: Deep Gap, North Carolina (USA) Doc Watson (full name Arthel Lane Watson) was one of the most important guitarists and singers of American folk, country, bluegrass, and old-time music. He is considered a key figure in the development of fingerstyle and especially flatpicking on the acoustic guitar. Doc Watson lost his sight at a young age due to an infection, but this did not prevent him from developing an exceptional talent for music. Raised in a