Doc Watson Research Guide: Biographical Information

Doc Watson was born Arthel Lane Watson on March 3, 1923 near Deep Gap, North Carolina. He was raised on a farm with eight siblings. During his infancy, Watson became blind due to an untreated eye infection. Watson’s father, General Dixon, instilled a work ethic and a love for music in Watson by relying on him to complete chores around the farm and encouraging him to play the homemade instruments he would give to his son.

While attending the Morehead School for the Blind in Raleigh, thirteen-year-old Watson taught himself how to play the guitar. Watson would hone his skills by doing street performances in nearby cities. In 1953, Doc Watson earned a professional stint with Jack Williams and the Country Gentlemen as their lead guitarist. During the early 1960s, Watson was further recognized for his musical abilities. He met folklorist Ralph Rinzler when he was conducting a field recording of Clarence Ashley. Rinzler motivated Watson to start a solo career touring well-known folk music venues, placing Watson at the epicenter of the American Folk Music Revival. Doc Watson released his first album with Vanguard Records in 1964.

Watson married Rosa Lee Carlton in 1947. Together they had two children: Eddy Merle born in 1949 and Nancy Ellen born in 1951. Merle possessed the same talent as his father, and the two started performing as a duo in the mid-1960s. Watson and Merle toured and made records alongside each other for twenty years. In 1985, Merle tragically died in a tractor accident at the farm. With reluctance, Watson continued performing. The MerleFest traditional music festival that takes place in Wilkesboro was established by Watson in 1988 to honor his late son. In his lifetime, Doc Watson has recorded over sixty records and has won eight Grammy Awards.

Watson died at age 89 on May 29, 2012.