Doc Watson, Georgie, Merle Watson, Folk, Traditional

This is the story of how I met and came to know Doc and Merle Watson and "The boys".

I was an eighteen year-old classically trained, piano playing fool headed for my freshman year at Appalachian State University, in Boone, NC in 1970. Although I'd spent my entire life immersed in a musical family, having recently had success in lead roles in high school theatre productions, I was bound and determined upon entering ASU to make theatre my college major. My newfound desire to become an actor dumbfounded my parents and grandparents who had always expected me to become a concert pianist.

Within 2 hours upon arriving on campus I met and became 'fast friends' with Joe Smothers, who was at least a year ahead of me and a very successful actor, in ASU's theatre program.

We didn't have many men in theatre back then -- there was Joe Smothers and T. Michael Coleman (or Michael as he was known at the time). Joe played guitar all around campus and Michael, well he was on the technical end of our campus theatre productions. I had no idea at the time, that Michael could even play a stringed instrument. When I say Joe played guitar, I also mean that almost everyone played guitar or a stringed instrument, in my circle of friends at ASU. So, I naturally picked up the guitar when I was 18 and never put it back down for too long.

Around 73-74, I met Merle Watson through Joe Smothers. I heard Joe and Merle talking about forming a band. Low and behold they formed not only a band, but Doc joined the band! They called themselves The Frosty Morn Band and played around campus and at local gathering places around Watauga County. They recorded part of the LP -- 'Doc And The Boys' at my favorite watering hole in Blowing Rock, NC - PB Scotts Music Hall (not the big PB Scotts), but a little tiny place that maybe held 35 people, that preceded the big geodesic dome that became the famous PB Scotts Music Hall in Blowing Rock. That would have been around 1974-1975 or so and I was around most every time Doc and The Boys played out around Boone or Blowing Rock in those days.

Doc Watson is a fine human being -- always was and always will be. He's not the least bit arrogant; he has a quick wit, a great sense of humor and is a genuinely nice person. Doc is also quite capable despite being visually impaired. I was also friends with Merle's wife Geneva and knew Richard Watson, their son (who plays with Doc some now), when Richard was a toddler.

There are so many memories I have of Doc and Merle, but there isn't room to put them all in this description. A highlight of my memories was when was I was 'held up', in the trailer with my roommate, along with Doc and Merle at The Grandfather Mountain Music festival, in 1977 or 1978, forget which year. We were pretty much stuck in that trailer because it rained and oh glorious rain! It was wonderful because Earl and Randy Scruggs and Vassar Clements were all there too & sharing the same little, singlewide trailer, as a sort of backstage, which was placed up behind the big stage. It was a wonderful, wonderful time. We mostly just talked, I have no memory of people playing very much music. I remember Vassar tuning up his fiddle, that sound has really stuck with me. The festival lasted for around three-days and believe me, we all had a lot of quality time 'stranded in that trailer' out of the rain. The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band also played the festival, but they hardly left their tour bus except to play their shows. We didn't think they were very sociable at the time. I believe they had just changed their name to The Dirt Band.

T. Michael Coleman later joined Doc and Merle on the road and in the studio as their bass player. They traveled the globe. Talk about shocked, I was shocked when I saw Michael Coleman with a bass guitar in his hands. Guess that just goes to show that just because a person doesn't play their instrument out, it doesn't mean they can't play.

I could go on and on about Doc and Merle and the boys. I know them all -- Jack Lawrence came into the picture late, but I knew Jack. I'm using the past tense because I haven't been in touch with these old friends for many years. When Merle died, I was living on Browns Chapel Road in Boone, NC, just down the highway a few miles from Doc and Rosa Lee in Deep Gap. I can't tell you how awful it was to loose Merle. Rosa Lee insisted that Merle be buried in their back yard where she could see his grave when she washed dishes. I doubt she's ever gotten over losing Merle. Thank goodness for Merlefest, which I had the great honor of playing in 1993.

If I had to count the number of times I've seen Doc Watson play the guitar and sing, it would be in the hundreds. I know, I'm one lucky lady.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Doc
• Watson
• Merle
• Merlefest
• Georgie
• Folk
• Bluegrass
• Appalachian
• State
• Bob
• Hill
• T.
• Michael
• Coleman
• Joe
• Smothers
• PB
• Scotts
• Blowing
• Rock
• greenteawoman

[sorethumb44]

I too was a freshman at Appalachian State University in Boone, NC in the Fall of 1970. I quickly learned of and heard Doc and Merle Watson and the rest of the boys. As I recall, T. Michael Coleman, Joe Smothers, and another guy had their own folk trio Fried Chicken and Watermelon. The third guy died in a tragic hiking accident when he fell crossing a waterfall. Anyway, Doc is great, is he not?

[greanteawoman]

We probably know each other and Doc is great, for sure! Fried Chicken and Watermelon - that is too funny - I certainly remember them as well. I also remember the guy who died too - he was walking across the top of the waterfall. I was out in front of The Hard Rock Cafe in Blowing Rock when I heard about the accident. Clay Buckner told me about it and for the life of me I can't remember the guy's name either.

[sorethumb44]

Clay Buckner! of the Red Clay Ramblers. While at ASU, I sold him a (then) cheap Sears Silvertone electric guitar which I had painted like an American flag. He was going to use if for playing slide, as I recall. Wish I had the guitar now - was made by DanElectro company for Sears and is now collectible. Wonder if he still has it?

By the way, if you ever listened to WASU-FM from 1972 -1975, you might have heard my voice as Kid Flash.

[greanteawoman]

OK - we probably know each other, at least in passing. I DJ'd at WASU-FM, 90.5 too! Bob Cowan asked me to DJ and I loved it. My show was at lunchtime, from 12-2 every Tuesday and Thursday in '70 & '71. I remember getting in hot water for playing - Procol Harum's - Still There'll Be More. For some reason I don't remember your 'radio name' - small, small world. Nice to "meet" you!

[HRUToushcard0u]

Wow what a small world. My Father knew Doc and Merle very well. Merle is my sisters god father. My Father also owned the P.B Scotts and he always told me how Doc and Merle would always come and play for his customers. Maybe you had me my father before, Kevin Brogan? If so than it TRULY is a small world ^^. Its a real shame about Merles death, he was a great man.

[greanteawoman]

HRU, I knew both your Father and your uncle Shawn. When your dad was helping to build "the new PB's", (which we referred to as 'the dome'), he was up on top, building the roof when it collapsed. Kevin's finger was almost cut-off in the accident. He came over to my house, which was a 'chestnut bark' house down from Holly's across from the Green Park. He showed my roommate & I his bloody finger. My roommate took your dad to Blowing Rock hospital and they stictched him up. It's truly a small world!

[0mega7000]

so beautiful

[bluegrassrle]

Good song :)

[microflex22]

Saw him at Bass Mountain Fest when I was eight. His performance not only made me appreciate the wonders and emotion of music. I'll never forget that day, he's one of my heroes.

[frogz4me]

As a current student at ASU it has certainly been a treat to read the story and comments below this video. Doc still has a great impact on the region and we students still flock to any opportunity we get to see him in concert. I only wish I could have been around in the days when the Bluegrass scene was more prominent. If you want real live bluegrass these days you have to go down to Mast on Sundays or the Todd General Store.

[scottkristin1]

Wonderful song



[ichisach]

I am not from from English speaking country and I haven´t found lyrics that Doc Watson sing. Anyone who can help ? thx...

[carollizc]

I never thought I'd saysomething like this. Really, never. I like Doc's version better than Martin Carthy's. I didn't think anyone could do a finer version than Martin's but this ROCKS!

[ruffmike]

I was lucky enough to se Doc and the Frosty Morn Band in Santa Cruz Ca. , they put on a great show, I must have seen Doc a couple of dozen times out here, he loves playing the Great Ameican Music Hall. I found your post looking for some songs from Doc and the Boys. I guess I'll have to get the vinyl out.

[WOLF4099]

Good song :)

[Yeractualpatience]

Great posting. Can't agree with you more. Doc's a great guy and a great picker. I had the great pleasure of meeting him and Rosa Lee a few years ago, when they asked us over to their Deep Gap home, following Merlefest. An unforgettable day. 'We're just ordinary folks,' he said. Modest, warm and welcoming. 'If I could play like Chet, I'd be happy,' he said. Personally, I've always preferred Doc! A great guy, an incredible player!