Doc Watson

[MANDOLINMYSTER]

Today is Doc Watsons birthday, he is 81, he may not be a mandolin player, but has played with the best of them http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[jamman]

More importantly it's my Mom's 50th!!

[J. Mark Lane]

My hero.

I first saw Doc I guess around 1974, in Charlotte. Two framed pictures, taken by a photographer friend of mine, of Doc and Jack, hang in my den (the only thing in there other than an original oil from Ireland that my wife gave me). I worship the ground he walks on.

Happy Birthday, Doc!

Mark

[Christopher Howard-Williams]

Happy birthday Doc - a great, great man and a fabulous songster and guitar player.
Your mum's 50th jamman!! Wow, it's my 50th in a couple of weeks!

[dasspunk]

Happy Super Tuesday...

[Tom C]

There is one recording of Doc playing Texas Gales on mando. Pretty darn good too.

[Coy Wylie]

Happy BD Doc. You rule! First class all the way!

[Michael H Geimer]

" Happy Super Tuesday... "

LOL! Can I vote for Doc?

[racuda]

In NC, we are proud indeed. He is a national treasure. Here is a pic I took of Merle, T. Michael Coleman and Doc in the 70's, in Greensboro NChttp://www.home.earthlink.net/~racuda/images/Doc-Watson.jpg

[Jim Webster]

I saw Doc at Merlefest last year when he was still a young man of 80 playing his Gallagher "retirement" guitar. The good news is the retirement seems more theoretical than actual--I saw his "Three Pickers" broadcast with Earl Scruggs and Ricky Skaggs on PBS and bought the CD not too long ago.

[Bobby Brite]

Happy Birthday Doc!!

Amazing!!! Today is my 29th Birthday!!!


Bobby

[J. Mark Lane]

Happy Birthday, Bobby. Nice to share a birthday with someone like Doc (mine is the same as Henry David Thoreau).

http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[Bluegrass Boy]

My daughter tells me it's Dr. Suess' birthday as well.

As for retirement, I remember when he "retired back in the 80's, after Merle died. It may be similar to Willie Nelson. The story is that when someone asked whim hen he was going to retire he replied, "I play music and I play golf. Which one should I quit doing?"

[mandolinmike]

Your wrong about Doc not being able to play a mandolin we once played a festival with him and we were coming off stage when Doc was going on and we had a little time while they were setting up the mikes and Doc ask if he could play my mandolin and he really amazed me how well he played. Just thought I would mention it. Thanks Mike http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[AmosMoses]

Doc also played banjo on occasion.

[mandobsessed]

Doc is the man who led me down this dark road to mandolin perdittion. From the first time I heard the 'Red Rocking Chair' album I stopped wanting to be Michael Hedges and got a flatpick.

That led to mandolin and bluegrass, choro,italian music etc.

Happy birthday Doc (a day late)

[dawglover]

When I think of a world without Doc in it, I get a bit emotional. He's the reason I started playing acoustic music, fiddle tunes, mainly. Live on Doc Watson, and keep on pickin'! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif

[Eric F.]

Doc is the first person I saw in concert and one of his records was the second album I ever bought. I think I wore out the grooves on that one.

[Jim M.]

"I play music and I play golf. Which one should I quit doing?"

Doc is one of my musical heroes; I try to play a bunch of his stuff, but it's hard to believe he golfs.

[Mandobar]

the golf quote is from willie nelson. #although i read somewhere that doc watson rewired and renovated his own home.

[pathfinder]

Doc is one of the acoustic icons of the 20th century. #So was John Duffey, mandolin player, singer, comedian and bouncer for the Seldom Scene. #He would've turned 70 today. #

Before his death in 1996, an interviewer asked John how he hoped to be remembered. #In typical fashion, he replied, "Well, I hope no one thinks I was a klutz!" #

No chance, John. And thanks for the LPs, cassettes and CDs that keep your music alive in my home. #Happy birthday and God Bless....

[Dioptase]

I also get a little emotional thinking about a world without Doc. So I try and think about a world with Doc. And frankly, that makes me a little emotional too.

I've listened to Doc for years and years, but unfortunately I've only seen him once. Couple of years ago at springfest. I caught a few guest appearances, but then he did a gospel set on sunday morning. I woke up early and walked down to the stage, sat about 10 feet from him.
I wept like a baby from the first song to the last. No artist has ever affected me like that, and probably never will again.

Doc's given me a lot.
micah