Doc’s Flatpicked Blues

Doc Watson performs the “Deep River Blues” in the early 1960’s.

Watson’s flatpicking skills and knowledge of traditional American music were held in high regard. In 1960, as the American folk music revival grew, Watson took the advice of folk musicologist Ralph Rinzler and began playing acoustic guitar and banjo exclusively. That move ignited Watson’s career when he played on his first recording, Old Time Music at Clarence Ashley’s. Also of pivotal importance for his career was his February 11, 1961 appearance at P.S. 41 in Greenwich Village. He subsequently began to tour as a solo performer and appeared at universities and clubs like the Ash Grove in Los Angeles. Watson would eventually get his big break and rave reviews for his performance at the renowned Newport Folk Festival in Newport, Rhode Island in 1963. Watson recorded his first solo album in 1964 and began performing with his son Merle the same year. He performed with his son Merle for over 15 years until Merle’s death in 1985 in an accident on the family farm.

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