Join Author Eddie Huffman as he takes us through is new book, Doc Watson: A Life In Music. Huffman will take us through the process of researching and writing the book and sharing some of his favorite stories about the man, the myth, the legend of the Blue Ridge, Doc Watson.
Pick up your copy of the book in advance at Firelight Book and Candle in Blowing Rock. If you aren’t able to pick up your copy ahead of time, Firelight will have representatives at the event selling copies.
This event is made possible through a grant from America 250 NC, an initiative by the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources. This event is co-presented with Firelight Book and Candle in Blowing Rock.
About the Book:
Arthel "Doc" Watson (1923–2012) is arguably one of the most influential musicians Appalachia has ever produced. A musician's musician, Doc grew up on a subsistence farm in the North Carolina mountains during the Depression, soaking up traditional music and learning to play guitar even though he was blind. Rising to fame in the 1960s as part of the burgeoning folk revival scene, Doc became the face of traditional music for many listeners, racking up multiple Grammys and releasing dozens of albums over the course of his long career. Eddie Huffman tells the story of Doc's life and legacy, drawing on extensive interviews and hundreds of hours of archival research. In making the most comprehensive biography of Watson ever, Huffman gives us an affecting and informative portrait of the man they called Doc.
Full of fascinating stories—from Doc's first banjo made from his grandmother's cat to the founding of MerleFest—this promises to be the definitive biography of the man and how he came to be synonymous with roots music in America and shows how his influence is still felt in music today.
Reviews:
"I've always thought of Doc as the patron saint of the mountains. His life, like his music, was clear as mountain water. Eddie Huffman has done a beautiful job of bringing this story to life. This book also serves as a reminder that Doc Watson not only was one of the greatest guitar players who ever walked the planet but also will undoubtedly be revered as an inspirational figure for the ages."—Marty Stuart, award-winning country and bluegrass musician
"Doc Watson stood as a vital bridge between the worlds of folk music and bluegrass. His songs and musical prowess showcased a broad spectrum of more than a century of American music. Huffman provides a comprehensive look at an American treasure whose legacy still shines in the fabric of our cultural landscape. Watson has influenced thousands of musicians, including me, by embracing the everlasting power of reinterpreting and arranging the folk-song tradition so that it can live on for the next generations to enjoy."—Dom Flemons, musician, songwriter, and founding member of the Carolina Chocolate Drops
"For all of the character, intelligence, and warmth that Doc put into his music and his public persona, much about the man is elusive to his many admirers. How did someone with such scant resources and disadvantages manage to produce such a shining testament? Eddie's book lays it bare, explaining how a blind country guitarist compares in various ways to Buster Keaton, Wilt Chamberlain, and John Cage (!). The research is scrupulous, and the storytelling is richly imaginative."—Robbie Fulks, Grammy-nominated composer, singer, and songwriter
"Doc Watson is a long overdue biography, one that joyfully shares with audiences the life of the man behind the music. Eddie Huffman gives us an immediate, powerful, and entertaining book worthy of a finely produced biopic."—Trevor McKenzie, musician and author of Otto Wood, the Bandit
About the Author:
Eddie Huffman is a writer, reporter, and author of John Prine: In Spite of Himself. He lives in Greensboro, North Carolina.
Link to by the book: https://uncpress.org/book/9781469680354/doc-watson/
This program is made possible in part by a grant from America 250 NC, an initiative by the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.
BRAHM’s Book Club is co-presented with Firelight Book & Candle, an independent bookstore located in Blowing Rock, NC.