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Memory Book

This page lists thoughts and remembrances shared by readers following Doc's death. Doc touched so many people in so many ways. Whether you're a musician, music fan, friend or relative, we invite you to add your remembrance by using our memory book submittal form.

Displaying Records 1 to 20 of 222 NEXT >

steve jones - tate ga - 05/14/2013
I have been trying to learn how to pick like Doc a long time. He is the best guitar player that has ever been or ever will be. I seen him in Atlanta GA a few years ago and the crowd was just sitting there like we were in a spell. It was the best show I've ever seen. I won't ever forget it. I wish I could just have one of Doc's guitar picks - it would be a treasure to me. I love to hear him play. He is my hero.
Ronnie Hinshaw - Asheboro,N.C. - 04/28/2013
I visited Doc back in 1967 as a 10 year old boy just starting to play the guitar, the hospitality shown to me was most gracious by Doc, Merle, Nancy, Rosa. I would like to say thank you for inviting me in.The visit has had a profound and wonderful effect on me through out my life.I still love to play the guitar and banjo every chance I get,, and I have a son that plays fiddle in a professional blue grass band,again a big thank you for a wonderfull memory back in 1967.May God bless you. Ronnie
TIM BULLARD - winston salem, nc - 03/16/2013
jerry the cop told me someone read my book "Haunted Watauga County" to you. the sweet tune of "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" still rings in my ears, reminding me of when you played it for me in the green room of P.B. Scott's Music Hall in Blowing Rock as Watauga Democrat photographer Terry Ketron took our picture. I still hear it whenever I want to feel happy. The last time I had a drink was eight years ago listening to your "Trouble In Mind" release.
Justin Thomas - UK - 03/14/2013
Never be anyone who can pick like Doc. Guess God loves a bit of old time flat picking too. RIP
George Taddeo Jr - Martville, NY - 03/8/2013
I believe I saw Doc @ the Cornell Folk Festival in the 1970's and have been an ardent admirer ever since. There is no way to listen to Doc's (AND Merle's music) without smiling. I am a late-bloomer when it comes to college (at the age of 60), but I only wish I had done it sooner. I am currently taking my first formal music class after playing guitar for most of my life on and off. Our instructor has given us an assignment to write a 500-page paper about our favorite picker and I have chosen Doc. I will do my best to create a presentation that is worthy and expose a younger generation to Doc's trademark style. The man will be and most certainly is missed, but thank God for the musical legacy.
linda lowry - naches,wa - 03/7/2013
well,my brother jerry LOVES doc,back in the day,my brother (learning) how to play the guitar in a full leg cast , ((1973) would all ways listen-to doc,he became exceptionally,on the guitar,by listening to doc and all the blue grass,he we actually went to Seattle to,doc concert,we went to take pics,of him but we did,my brother now is in haven,with doc,,im so sorry he is gone,
RICHARD LATTY - Georgia - 02/12/2013
he was an awesome friend and will be missed he is why i am still hanging on to my music i'm not just a fan, but I am also a music Artist as well. and i will miss him
mark christensen - winona mn. - 02/8/2013
we hired doc to play in winona in the mid eighties great consert at emil's place i said hi to doc but to many people crowding him so i thought it best to back off loved docs music and stories miss him the world misses him............mark
Roger Brunet - Paris, FRANCE - 02/1/2013
I discovered Doc Watson when I was in my 20s. For me, one of the best recordings is Doc Watson on stage (1966). He's still on my mind as a singer, exceptional guitarist and human person. Could we pay a tribute to this man, moste representative of american music? Thank you Doc. rest in peace. Roger Brunet, Paris, France
Lyle Wilson - Todd, NC 28684 - 01/26/2013
Having lived in Todd,NC for 38 years, I was aware of DOC and his music. I attended several of his shows over the years and enjoyed them all very much. It was after I was appointed as Postmaster in Deep Gap, NC 28618 in 1987 that I really got to know more about doc. I got to meet his family and since Deep Gap was his hometown, I got to see them several times a week. I worked with his Daughter Nancy in getting his CD's mailed out all over the world. I got the opportunity to talk with DOC and Rosalee on many occasions. DOC was truly a humble man. He never thought much about himself, but spent most of his time concerned about others, particularly his family and many fans all over the world. I will forever cherish my memories of DOC Watson. I have many of his CDs and cassettes. I think of the family often and always look forward to seeing Nancy and DOC's grandson Richard.
Bill Welsh - Vienna, VA - 01/23/2013
My parents and I saw Doc Watson several times at the Birchmere in Alexandria, Va. I had the good fortune to be sitting at a table near the front once or twice to watch Doc blaze on his guitar. We loved Doc's sense of humility and his wonderful good nature. I have many of Doc's albums and CDs. We play them all of the time. Doc was one of a kind. And he was a brilliant and gifted guitar player and singer. We send our love to his family. God bless.
Barbara Levine - Copenhagen - 01/7/2013
I have been listening to Doc for the past 50 years - my mother was smart enough to put his LP "Doc Watson" on for us kids. His music has been a major source of pleasure in my life. While I am a bluegrass fan and there are other artists I like, Doc has always been special for me. There is only one Doc, there will never been another. When I was about 19 I saw Doc in concert in San Francisco. I was sitting in the front seat. His fingerpicking literally took my breath away, as it was quite obvious he was not seeing anything. And he never missed a note! Fortunately, he left us a wealth of music to keep listening to as otherwise his loss would be more devastating than it already is.
Kaj Samuelsson - Copenhagen, Denmark - 01/2/2013
I found out about Doc Watson 4 years ago when I met my wife. She is a big Doc Watson fan. It literally changed my life and my taste for music. I couldn't even dream of someone that good. I soon found that I can find his music even here in Denmark. I only regret I never had the opportunity to go to a concert with him, I would really have liked it.
William pellegrini - Lindenhurst ny - 12/29/2012
I saw doc in Hempstead Ny the audience was smokin some substance or other and it was making docs nose run and he asked several times for a tissue. Nobody responded to him untill I yelled out "for Christ sake nobody in here has a tissue for doc" finally a sheepish girl brought up a pack to the stage and doc went on. When friends or family pass away I give loved ones a card with the words to "the lone pilgrim" over the years I have gotten many heartfelt thank you's for the spiritual comfort of that song and I play it now for doc
Rob Rainer - Ottawa, Ontario - 12/26/2012
The music of Doc Watson has been central to half my life (I'm 53 as I write this), ever since I first heard it and him around the mid-80s. Actually, that's not quite true: I have some memory, if memory stands correct, of seeing Doc and Merle on Austin City Limits, I believe, in the late 1970s. But it wasn't until the mid-80s that I really began to catch on to him. And more than anything what came through for me while Doc was alive, and what continues to come through his recordings, is his humanity and spirit. He was a fantastic musician to be sure, one of the world's greats of his time, with a flatpicking artistry second to none. But it is his shining humanity and goodwill that is really staying with me, as I continue to mourn his passing. I had the great pleasure of seeing Doc perform several times at Merlefest 2011, the one and only time I was able to see him live. I will never forget him and will do what I can to continue to share his music and his spirit with others, as time progresses. Rob Rainer Ottawa, Ontario CANADA
keith a hayes - Newark, Ohio - 12/26/2012
I can remember the first time I heard Doc play, I thought I wish I could play that good. I saw Doc about three years ago in Newark,Ohio with my oldest son and he said he felt the same thought as we watched him on stage. We will miss you for ever rest in peace Doc
Francesco Bizzini - Caltagirone (CT), Sicily - ITALY - 12/17/2012
I started playing seriously fingerpicking after listening and loving Doc' Guitar. Thank you Doc for your music... surely now you're playing your guitar for God and He's blessing you!
Matti Ressler - Australia - 11/17/2012
I first heard Doc Watson in the 70's on the fabulous "Will The Circle Be Unbroken" album and he has been an inspiration ever since. I was immediately struck by his depth and warmth of character as much as the virtuosity of his playing. Doc has had a profound influence, not only on my playing, but also my spirit. Always loved and never forgotten.... rest until we meet again.
Doug Scott - Sussex, NJ - 11/17/2012
Doc has been the biggest influence on my adult guitar playing life (45 years). Doc's Black Mountain Rag has been my go to flatpickin' song for over 30 years. Doc's pickin' and singin' has no equal. Miss you, Doc. RIP Doug
C. Mckinney - Kingsport, Tn - 11/9/2012
I was born and raised just like Doc, in the Western North Carolina Mountains. Yet I never realized just how many people he touched world wide until I perused these comments. It hurts my feelings to read the eulogies here of the fans in far away places like England who loved Doc yet never got to see him in person. I feel so blessed to have seen Doc many times. The first time Doc and Merle were playing the Christmas Concert at the Down Home in Johnson-city TN in 1984. And the last time I ever saw Doc was at the Down Home Christmas show in 2011. A friend asked me what my favorite song/singer of all time was and I said it would have to be Doc Watson singing Summertime. Doc touched and influenced many artists, it seemed every music festival this year was a memorial to Doc: I heard David Grisman say that Doc was the first professional musician to ever invite him onstage. Tim O'Brien spoke a heart rending story as he finger picked Deep River Blues. And Doc practically raised the Kruger Brothers, who drove all night to sing at his funeral service. Many people can play and sing well, but with Doc, you got such a different feeling, his humility and graciousness made him so endearing. Doc was the real deal on stage, no put-ons or airs, he was just who he was. People could instantly sense this and that is what enthralled fans world-wide. What Doc requested when finding out that a Bronze likeness of him was to be installed in Boone, NC says it all: 'Just one of the people'. And we people loved Doc, and Merle and with such sorrow, even today, we convey our condolences to their family.