Doc
I first saw Doc and Merle Watson in 1980 or '81 at the Valley Forge Music Fair in Devon PA. I was 19 years old and attended with my friend, fingerstyle guitarist, Ed McDade. Also that night, sharing the stage, was the master fiddler, Vassar Clements.
The rapport between Doc and Merle, father and son, was so warm and beautiful, easy and loving, respectful and dynamic, supportive and cooperative. They had each other's back. Two family members sharing their love of Bluegrass and Country music, trading the most outrageous licks, challenging each other to make the other look good!
Five years later, Merle was dead. An accident with a farm tractor at home killed him. The tragic loss to the world of Bluegrass music and to Doc was inexplicable.
Yesterday, on May 29, 2012, Doc joined his son, Merle, in the best Bluegrass band in heaven - along with Vassar, John Hartford, Earl Scuggs (who just died two months ago), Bill Monroe and Roy Husky, Jr. There are many more Bluegrass giants who could be included in that list, but somehow, this sounds just right.
The old guard, in a way, has died with Doc. The present generation in their 40's, 50's and 60's are now the torch bearers responsible to continue carrying and passing on the Bluegrass light. David Grisman, Sam Bush, David Grier, Tony Trishka, Darryl Scott, Jerry Douglas, John Cowan, Alison Krauss, and so many more.
This music is truth in song. It's why I love it. It reaches past the intellect to the instinct, through the crops to the soil, inside the heart to the spirit.
Doc, we will miss you so much...and thank you, thank you so very much.
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