| Wilkes Community College Honorary Degree
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.
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Dr. Gordon Burns presents honorary degree to Doc Watson. Photo courtesy of Wilkes Community College.
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Recording Academy Lifetime
Achievement Award
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. |
Scots Trad International Presentation
Award
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. |
Listen to
"Doc
Watson's Reel"
performed by
The Battlefield Band
"Doc Watson's
Reel"
800KB, mp3
(Audio clip provided
by the Battlefield
Band)
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National Medal of the
Arts
In 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.
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National Heritage
Fellowship
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.
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IBMA Hall of Honor
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.
Doc Watson
Day
In 1998, the N.C. Legislature, Appalachian State University, and the
Watauga County Commissioners declared the third Saturday in July as "Doc
Watson Day".
Doc & Merle Watson
Mountain Folk Art Museum
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.
Honorary Degrees
Doc has also received honorary degrees
from the University of North Carolina and Appalachian State University. |
Doc with Rosa Lee at the Doc and
Merle Watson Mountain Folk Art Museum
(Photo courtesy of Cove Creek
Preservation & Development, Inc.)
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