Arthel Lane Watson, professionally known as Doc Watson, was born blind due to an eye infection before his first birthday. He grew up playing harmonica and a homemade banjo, but it wasn't until his father bought him a $12 Stella acoustic guitar when he was 13 that he began to learn the instrument.
Watson attended North Carolina's school for the visually impaired and developed a passion for music. He picked up the nickname "Doc" at the suggestion of an audience member at a radio broadcast when he was in his teens.
Watson was instrumental in developing the canon for 1960s folk musicians, recording traditional tunes like Deep River Blues and Shady Grove. He worked with a local dance band, playing honky-tonk, rockabilly, pop, and square-dance tunes before becoming a folk musician.
In 1960, Watson worked with folklorist and musician Ralph Rinzler, backing old-time banjo player Clarence "Tom" Ashley. This collaboration marked the beginning of his career as a folk musician.
Watson was a master of both finger-picking and flat-picking styles, and his music was characterized by its simplicity, clarity, and authenticity. He was a prolific recording artist, releasing a compilation album, The Best of Doc Watson 1964-1968, in 1999.
Throughout his career, Watson received numerous awards and accolades, including seven Grammys over a 33-year period and the National Medal of Arts from President Bill Clinton in 1997. He was also inducted into the International Bluegrass Music Hall of Honor in 2000.
Watson toured extensively with his son, Merle Watson, until Merle's death in a 1985 tractor accident. In honor of his son, Watson hosted the annual MerleFest, a roots-music festival held in Wilkesboro, North Carolina, which draws over 75,000 attendees annually.
In his later years, Watson continued to perform and record music, releasing his final album, Home Again!, in 2003. He underwent colon surgery in 2012 and passed away on May 29, 2012, at the age of 89, surrounded by his family and friends.
