Doc Watson has received seven Grammy Awards from the National Association of Recording Arts and Sciences for his records over the years. Details of the year and album honored are shown below.
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 David Holt and Doc Watson with their Grammy Award for Best Traditional Folk Music Recording of 2002. (Photo courtesy of David Holt)
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 Dr. Gordon Burns presents honorary degree to Doc Watson. Photo courtesy of Wilkes Community College. |
At its 2005 commencement, Wilkes Community College awarded its first ever honorary Associate in Arts degree to Arthel "Doc" Watson. The college, located in Wilkesboro, North Carolina, is the home of the annual Merlefest Americana music festival held in memory of the late Merle Watson. Doc was recognized for his accomplishments and his contributions to the college, the community and the region.
Read the full text of remarks made by Dr. Gordon Burns, President of Wilkes Community College, when presenting the degree at the 2005 graduation ceremony.
The Universitey of North Carolina at Asheville conferred an honorary doctoral degree on Doc on May 16, 2009 at at its Spring 2009 Commencement Ceremony. Doc also received an honorary degree from Appalachian State University in Boone, North Carolina.
In 2004, Doc Watson was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award by the National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences at their annual Grammy Awards show. This award is presented by vote of the Recording Academy's National Trustees to performers who, during their lifetimes, have made creative contributions of outstanding artistic significance to the field of recording. Unable to attend himself, Doc asked his agent and friend Mitch Greenhill to accept the award on his behalf. Read Mitch's acceptance remarks on behalf of Doc.
Doc Watson was selected to receive the International award at the 2004 Scots Trad Music Awards. Doc is the first winner of this award, which recognizes the contributions of musicians who carry Scottish music to audiences throughout the world. Much of the traditional music in the region where Doc grew up came from the Scots/Irish families who settled there. Doc was selected for this award by the Scottish group The Battlefield Band. Pat Kilbride, the Battlefield Band's guitarist, also wrote a tune called "Doc Watson's Reel" to celebrate Doc's winning this award.
National Medal of the
ArtsIn 1997, Doc received the National Medal of the Arts from President Clinton. This award honors those who have encouraged the arts in America and offered inspiration to others either through their distinguished achievement, support or patronage. Recipients of the National Medal of Arts are selected by the President of the United States.
In 1988, Doc was awarded the National Heritage Fellowship by the National Endowment for the Arts. The award was established in 1982 as a way to honor American master folk and traditional artists for their contributions to our national cultural heritage. Since then, it has awarded these one-time-only-fellowships annually to recognize artistic excellence, assist the artists in continuing their work, and present them and their respective forms of artistic expression to the nation. Twelve fellowships are awarded each year.
 Doc with Rosa Lee at the Doc and Merle Watson Mountain Folk Art Museum (Photo courtesy of Cove Creek Preservation & Development, Inc.) |
Doc was inducted into the International Bluegrass Music Association Hall of Honor in 2000. His plaque is located in the International Bluegrass Music Museum in Owensboro, Kentucky.
In 1998, the N.C. Legislature, Appalachian State University, and the Watauga County Commissioners declared the third Saturday in July as "Doc Watson Day".
This museum is located in the Historic Cove Creek School in Sugar Grove NC. The museum is a "work in progress" and, when the renovation of the old school is completed, it will be open on scheduled dates throughout the year.