In 1975 or '76, in the rain, I had the privilege of sitting about 3 feet from Doc and Merle Watson at a small bluegrass festival in the Cumberland Gap (not sure if we were in Maryland, West Virginia or Pennsylvania)! All my friends were damp and irritated and they went back to our camp, but I stayed with just a handful of people as Doc played his heart out for us for 45 minutes. It was one of the great musical moments of my life - they were both just full of joy and so talented.
You're absolutely right, there will never be another Doc Watson, but you should check out a young man called Billy Strings who does an amazing cover of this and many other Doc songs as well as other bluegrass standards and writes some great original stuff too!
I stumbled on Bluegrass in my late high school and college years; I didn’t like country music, but I knew Bluegrass was different: the precision, expertise, and tempo were at such a high level. I became a great fan. This performance by Doc Watson and his associates is staggeringly good 🥇🥇; much respect and props to them. Miss you guys.
Me too. I dislike modern country music, but I think I took an instant shine to Bluegrass when I heard "Fox on the Run" as a child. Love the banjo and fast tempo. I took a "bluegrass harmonies" singing class at our local folk music store a number of years ago, which was super fun.
I work at a thrift store and came across a couple of his albums today. Curiosity got the best of me, so I looked him up on Pandora. Needless to say, his channel is one I plan on keeping around.
Being blind never held Doc back. The man was a musical genius, and that's no lie. He could play just about any instrument he set his mind to and was equally-adept at writing songs, doing arrangements, or telling stories and jokes. He was such a wonderful vocalist, too - always told a story and took his listeners along. His sense of time was superb, as was his sense of pitch. If he didn't have perfect pitch, he came darned close. And talk about taste in his selection of songs, delivery and just the way he presented a song! There will never be another Doc Watson. Seeing him in concert a couple of times was one of the highlights of my musical life. Sure do miss you Doc!
As much as I love this song and this artist, it makes my heart glad to read so many admiring comments here, and to know that people still respond to great, honest music
Yes he was, I knew him my uncle used to play with him. He was the nicest most down to earth guy you'd meet if it wasn't for him I probably wouldn't play guitar today
I clearly recall the day that Merle died in the tractor accident that killed him. He was working on their farm. I heard the news on my radio very shortly after the tragedy. I was one of thousands of Doc and Merle fans who were terribly saddened by this. I held great sorrow in my heart for Doc. I sure do miss both Watsons and that special sound,but I bet those boys are picking in Glory!
Proud to say Billy Strings brought me here... Pretty badass that such a young cat introduced an even younger cat like myself to banger classics such as this... I'm a 23 year old metal head but I can't deny the sheer talent displayed here. (Edit, dont let my username fool you. I grew up originally a classic rock junkie. Aerosmith became my favorite band at aged 8, i named my account Aerosmith10Rocks at age 10, then slowly throughout the years I was introduced to Slipknot and Avenged Sevenfold and converted to metal head, but i still love and appreciate all the classic stuff)
Well spotted ... the volume of hair hasn't changed... just the shade. (Johnny Cash does a version of this song but the verse about the 'Indians' has been excised on the recording I've heard.)
Saw him myself about same time in Tallahassee in a bluegrass concert held out from town in what was just a wooded area. He was fantastic. Had about five or six other musicians sitting in half circle around him on stage but he was the star that evening.
This has to be one of my favorite song performances of all time.... I remember when I first heard Doc singing this way back in the 1970s on the local FM station in Tucson, Arizona. That was a great station.... used to play all different genres of music and comedy. Good times.
A great story about a horse come's alive with Doc's chording-phrasing, meledy-note picking, little observation comments in certain bars, thunmping on sound board with horse hoofs sound, just such an entertaining personal performance. He was a master of telling stories with guitar accompanient. My grandad use to tell me the story about the strawberry roan horse, I just loved to listen to it.
What a pleasure to listen to Doc. A man and his guitar, telling a story. One of the simpler pleasures of life, listening to Doc Watson. What a marvelous talented man. Wow...
omg. just listening and not watching i recognized the skillful playing of that mandolin as none other than Marty Stuart! i know that man & his music. just great.
Doc and my great grandfather Ivan Younce were best friends and played together many times. When my great grandfather passed away Doc came and played at his funeral. Doc is truly a great man.
Don't know how to explain this but I'll try. I'm from Memphis, the capital of the Mississippi Delta. I'm a Deadhead, learned in the ways of Robert Hunter and Jerry Garcia. This is a great piece of Americana. Incredible. When I was following the Dead some girls would love my (our) accent (which are really negligible) and we'd always say we're from "Memphis," no need to include the state because Memphis is a state unto itself. The lyrics about the Tennessee stud and Tennessee mare, whippin' her brother and slappin' her 'paw, man, that's just great stuff. And then the little foals to cap it. It's that outlaw flavor combined with earnestness and tenderness - imbued throughout so many Dead songs - that connects this Memphian to the broader bluegrass/country flavor here in TN. Our state is backwards politically in many ways, but just think about the cultural impact of two Tennessee cities, Memphis and Nashville. World changing. Amazing stuff. Sorry for rambling
What a great man. He was friends with my Dad, I remember when he came to our house for dinner, I was such an impressed lil girl by Doc. Such a kind guys. Rest In Peace Doc.
When I bought my Epiphone Jumbo in Boulder, CO in 1974, Doc & Merle came into the store while I was trying it out - so I played with them (or rather, played along while they were playing). Fond memory; I still have the guitar.
Interesting that Duffey did not play the teardrop mando he built when we were both at Campbells Music in Arlington. This instrument predated Seldom Scene a wee bit. Looking at Aldridge, this is post the initial album.
I've heard a lot of versions of this song, but I think I can say this without much argument, this is the definitive version of the song. Doc is still going and performing. He is an American Treasure.
@BieberFreakk13 I liked Doc Watson when I was 13. (Of course, I had heard him on the original "Will the Circle Be Unbroken" album by the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band.)
Is the part with the racial slur in the song originally?? Love Doc and his playing just never heard that verse before (and would have preferred not to hear it lol)
Marty Stuart has been an avid amateur photographer for a long time, took great pix from his days w/ Cash, Lester Flatt etc etc. He published a book of these entitled Pilgrims:Sinners, Saints, and Prophets, great stuff. Search Amazon for Marty Stuart, Arts and Photography books.
I danced around to this song on repeat from my dad's record player in my living room. There is no better song in American history. I'm going to go have the same adventure and get my girl no matter how long it takes.
While you're certainly entitled to your opninion, the statements you make regarding Norman Blake's ability are patently absurd. If you like other players better, fine. But, to dismiss Norman's talent just because you personally prefer the style of another player is foolish. I have to wonder if you've really listened to much of Norman's music. Sounds like you haven't. To say that Norman plays without soul demonstrates your lack of exposure to his music.
No offense but your ignorance is showing. Norman plays far more intricate stuff than Doc and he does so WITH A FLAT-PICK. Doc has fiddle tunes down pat and is a great guitarist, no doubt about it but Norman is NOT known as a finger picker. He lives 30 minutes from me and I've seen him play many times so what do I know? Do a search on RUclips for "Norman Blake Randall Collins." Norman's prodigious ability is why Tony Rice has teamed up with him on many projects.
Doc is excellent but listen to Norman Blake some time. Norman plays more intricate stuff than Doc usually plays and makes it look really easy. Look up "Norman Blake, Flatpicker" on RUclips. It's got it all: rhythm, clean melody, and his cross-picking is unsurpassed. Still, Doc does a great job on "Black Mountain Rag." If you want to hear someone light that one up though, listen to Steve Kaufman (a good friend of Doc) play it. Doc has been a huge influence to a lot of guitarists.
40 years ago I played a guiter, and I have many LP records of Doc Watson. I've never thought that I could see video of moving figure of Doc Watson！＼(◎o◎)／！ Thank you.
In 1975 or '76, in the rain, I had the privilege of sitting about 3 feet from Doc and Merle Watson at a small bluegrass festival in the Cumberland Gap (not sure if we were in Maryland, West Virginia or Pennsylvania)! All my friends were damp and irritated and they went back to our camp, but I stayed with just a handful of people as Doc played his heart out for us for 45 minutes. It was one of the great musical moments of my life - they were both just full of joy and so talented.
Barbara Davis great memory ! Thanks for sharing
If you were actually in the Cumberland Gap, you were in either KY, TN, or VA.
You commented so long ago, but thank you for sharing. I envisioned your experience, through your memory. Too cool.
@@RogerDHicks-qi5eh Probably at Delfest (Del McCoury) at the Cumberland (Md.) Fair Grounds. Outstanding lineups year after year.
Cumberland gap is in Kentucky, beside the Tennessee border.
One of the best in a genre. Blind man at that, since the age of 2.
Doc Watson. What more can you say? Legendary national treasure. Will never be another like him.
You're absolutely right, there will never be another Doc Watson, but you should check out a young man called Billy Strings who does an amazing cover of this and many other Doc songs as well as other bluegrass standards and writes some great original stuff too!
Billy Strings is a badass, for sure @barbaralee6410
I stumbled on Bluegrass in my late high school and college years; I didn’t like country music, but I knew Bluegrass was different: the precision, expertise, and tempo were at such a high level. I became a great fan. This performance by Doc Watson and his associates is staggeringly good 🥇🥇; much respect and props to them. Miss you guys.
Me too. I dislike modern country music, but I think I took an instant shine to Bluegrass when I heard "Fox on the Run" as a child. Love the banjo and fast tempo. I took a "bluegrass harmonies" singing class at our local folk music store a number of years ago, which was super fun.
for the people coming across this at random, the man singing and playing guitar is also blind.
I work at a thrift store and came across a couple of his albums today. Curiosity got the best of me, so I looked him up on Pandora. Needless to say, his channel is one I plan on keeping around.
Thank you, sir!
Being blind never held Doc back. The man was a musical genius, and that's no lie. He could play just about any instrument he set his mind to and was equally-adept at writing songs, doing arrangements, or telling stories and jokes. He was such a wonderful vocalist, too - always told a story and took his listeners along. His sense of time was superb, as was his sense of pitch. If he didn't have perfect pitch, he came darned close. And talk about taste in his selection of songs, delivery and just the way he presented a song! There will never be another Doc Watson. Seeing him in concert a couple of times was one of the highlights of my musical life. Sure do miss you Doc!
Man...I've known about Doc Watson for years, but this comment was the first time I heard he was blind. I must've been sleeping.
Than how did he ride that horse all over the land?
This is so tight... will not leak a single drop. Doc and company play this to perfection and yes Doc is a national treasure.
As much as I love this song and this artist, it makes my heart glad to read so many admiring comments here, and to know that people still respond to great, honest music
The world was graced by Doc Watsons presence.... what a talent.
Fifteen people disliked this? Doc was and is a national treasure.
That is Bizarre! ? :-)
Adam Blevins That’s for true.
Yes he was, I knew him my uncle used to play with him. He was the nicest most down to earth guy you'd meet if it wasn't for him I probably wouldn't play guitar today
I feel as if there are just people out there who dislike every video they watch
Why do you care who doesn't like this..really?
My favorite Doc Watson song! I was lucky to have seen him and Merle around this time.
Dude... I envy you...
No doubt Merle was waiting at the gates of Heaven, guitar in hand, ready to start playing together again
I clearly recall the day that Merle died in the tractor accident that killed him. He was working on their farm. I heard the news on my radio very shortly after the tragedy. I was one of thousands of Doc and Merle fans who were terribly saddened by this. I held great sorrow in my heart for Doc. I sure do miss both Watsons and that special sound,but I bet those boys are picking in Glory!
If there is a heaven and I hope there is, they got one awesome band
A great singer, musician and human being. RIP Doc
Doc is the best guitar player I've ever performed with. Awesome. Im a fiddler.
Proud to say Billy Strings brought me here... Pretty badass that such a young cat introduced an even younger cat like myself to banger classics such as this... I'm a 23 year old metal head but I can't deny the sheer talent displayed here. (Edit, dont let my username fool you. I grew up originally a classic rock junkie. Aerosmith became my favorite band at aged 8, i named my account Aerosmith10Rocks at age 10, then slowly throughout the years I was introduced to Slipknot and Avenged Sevenfold and converted to metal head, but i still love and appreciate all the classic stuff)
Better late then never.. God Bless...
doc walked so billy strings could run....change my mind
Doc is absolutely amazing. A true gift sent from God above for us to enjoy. RIP Doc. Looking forward to seeing you in Heaven ole buddy.
Been there seen that. Can't say any other music is as real as this stuff from the Appalachians. Go Doc! Go Tennessee! Long live America!
Rest in peace Doc. Love you. Thanks for everything.
that's a young marty stuart on mandolin.
Well spotted ... the volume of hair hasn't changed... just the shade. (Johnny Cash does a version of this song but the verse about the 'Indians' has been excised on the recording I've heard.)
Wow
I was just thinking whowere the manalinnist
I don't tbink that's Marty.
@@dennisrocker It is Marty.
A true American Legend. My friend Doc.
The other amazing guitar player was his son merle that got killed in a tractor accident at age 36.
Man ... I saw Doc years ago, just after he came out of retirement from Merle's death. He was a phenom. Best musician I ever heard. Hands down.
Just read his bio which said he went back on the road around a week or 2 after Merle’s death
RIP Doc! Your music will live on forever and ever.
Love this song, I can't help but sing along!
It was 30 years ago when I first listened this song. Marvelous performance, thanks to Doc...
I was intruded to this song from Johnny Cash. I love his vocals and the tempo of his version. This version is incredible.
Go listen to Billy Strings do it. It will be your favorite.
I agree 100%
Watson is a national treasure
been watching Doc since he showed up on the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band album (1974?) "Will the Circle Be Unbroken" An American treasure
There never was horse like The Tennessee Stud! What a horse!
@dex2345 Yes. The lineup together:
Doc Watson: vocals, lead guitar
Merle Watson: guitar
T. Michael Coleman: bass, vocals
Marty Stuart: mandolin
Saw him myself about same time in Tallahassee in a bluegrass concert held out from town in what was just a wooded area. He was fantastic. Had about five or six other musicians sitting in half circle around him on stage but he was the star that evening.
I was in Tallahassee at that time...sorry I missed it...sounds awesome...i loved Tallahassee
and the area around Tallahassee
This has to be one of my favorite song performances of all time.... I remember when I first heard Doc singing this way back in the 1970s on the local FM station in Tucson, Arizona. That was a great station.... used to play all different genres of music and comedy. Good times.
How could anybody dislike this, they must be deaf philistines!
Brian Thompson David get your rocks! Ha
A philistine?? How ironic
maybe some redskins
Who did the original version? Song was written by Jimmy Driftwood.
AMAZING and what many say... in the pocket. I love this one because Merle and his dad are playing together.
my horse is part Tennessee walker, I've decided this is his song. even though he is a gelding. 😛
I hate to tell ya this but Doc anit from Tenn. He's a Carolina boy
I could listen to Doc pic that box all day long
My favorite Doc Watson song.
James Lucas mine too!
NOBODY quite does it the way Doc did, it's fun to play, and he shows how. He had a great singing voice too, is part of it.
I was lucky enough to hear him sing this when I was a kid in the 1980’s at the Washoe Theatre in Anaconda Montana..
A great story about a horse come's alive with Doc's chording-phrasing, meledy-note picking, little observation comments in certain bars, thunmping on sound board with horse hoofs sound, just such an entertaining personal performance. He was a master of telling stories with guitar accompanient. My grandad use to tell me the story about the strawberry roan horse, I just loved to listen to it.
What a pleasure to listen to Doc. A man and his guitar, telling a story. One of the simpler pleasures of life, listening to Doc Watson. What a marvelous talented man. Wow...
omg. just listening and not watching i recognized the skillful playing of that mandolin as none other than Marty Stuart! i know that man & his music. just great.
Dad and I loved this pioneer picker~there was magic in those fingers. 🤩
Saw him many times at the Birchmere. Never be another Doc.
What a musical genius. RIP Doc
Great version.... but was that Doc ever actually young?
song written by Jimmy morris my grandfather's first cousin very musical family
Mitizi Blanton Was that Jimmy Driftwoods real name? Great song.
Paul Rizo Yes it was. He was a very interesting man. You should read about his music
He also was a history teacher. Wrote songs to get lessons across to his students
RIP Doc Watson.....You will be missed. :(
Nobody could do tennessee stud as good as Doc! Best ever!
Well maybe billy strings
Matt from Wii Sports my favorite version, maybe because it’s a more modern, or younger sounding tune w billy
@@mattfromwiisports7701 Ridiculous.
Billy Strings is better.
ToThePoint How eloquent you are. I am in awe. Probably an American.
Doc and my great grandfather Ivan Younce were best friends and played together many times. When my great grandfather passed away Doc came and played at his funeral. Doc is truly a great man.
Hands down the best bluegrass song ever
Always loved this song ❤
mandolin PLAYER: Marty? Sure looks like him
Creme'DeLaCreme'
--------------------------
Don't know how to explain this but I'll try. I'm from Memphis, the capital of the Mississippi Delta. I'm a Deadhead, learned in the ways of Robert Hunter and Jerry Garcia. This is a great piece of Americana. Incredible. When I was following the Dead some girls would love my (our) accent (which are really negligible) and we'd always say we're from "Memphis," no need to include the state because Memphis is a state unto itself. The lyrics about the Tennessee stud and Tennessee mare, whippin' her brother and slappin' her 'paw, man, that's just great stuff. And then the little foals to cap it. It's that outlaw flavor combined with earnestness and tenderness - imbued throughout so many Dead songs - that connects this Memphian to the broader bluegrass/country flavor here in TN. Our state is backwards politically in many ways, but just think about the cultural impact of two Tennessee cities, Memphis and Nashville. World changing. Amazing stuff. Sorry for rambling
Backwards politically?🤔
What a great man. He was friends with my Dad, I remember when he came to our house for dinner, I was such an impressed lil girl by Doc. Such a kind guys. Rest In Peace Doc.
doctor doctor please a dose of watson
When I bought my Epiphone Jumbo in Boulder, CO in 1974, Doc & Merle came into the store while I was trying it out - so I played with them (or rather, played along while they were playing). Fond memory; I still have the guitar.
A Masterclass.
Awesome. Just wonderful.
Interesting that Duffey did not play the teardrop mando he built when we were both at Campbells Music in Arlington. This instrument predated Seldom Scene a wee bit. Looking at Aldridge, this is post the initial album.
song written by Jimmy morris my grandfather's first cousin very musical family
though it was jimmy driftwood
Yes they are
I've heard a lot of versions of this song, but I think I can say this without much argument, this is the definitive version of the song. Doc is still going and performing. He is an American Treasure.
Love this song! It's always been one of my favorites!
@BieberFreakk13
I liked Doc Watson when I was 13. (Of course, I had heard him on the original "Will the Circle Be Unbroken" album by the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band.)
Love the extra tough guy lyrics!! "I beat up her brother and smacked her Pa"... Badass...
Real country music, not like today.
All the clapping is distracting. Shut up audience!!!
Thank you, Doc.
Wooooow bebe!! He beat up somebody and slapped some bebe!!! Wooow, is it even permissible to say?? I mean with all the political correctness and all.
I got sent here from billy strings fucking brilliant the both of them....I’m just amazed
Thanks for sharing!!! Doc rules, and anything with Merle in it is a special treasure!!!
Is the part with the racial slur in the song originally?? Love Doc and his playing just never heard that verse before (and would have preferred not to hear it lol)
Driftwood was his stage name
Marty Stuart has been an avid amateur photographer for a long time, took great pix from his days w/ Cash, Lester Flatt etc etc. He published a book of these entitled Pilgrims:Sinners, Saints, and Prophets, great stuff. Search Amazon for Marty Stuart, Arts and Photography books.
he had the nerve, he had the blood, and never was a guy like Doc Watson.. Enormous song..., beautiful performance...
This is just so tight, perfect.
What's this "There never was a horse like the Tennessee Stud" nonsense? What about Secretariat? Huh? Huh? Huh?
Doc Watson. Beautiful brilliant playing. I miss him. He was like a breath of fresh air.
I danced around to this song on repeat from my dad's record player in my living room. There is no better song in American history.
I'm going to go have the same adventure and get my girl no matter how long it takes.
Two mutual receptions -- Sun/Neptune and Venus/Saturn.
"Jimmy Driftwood wrote this thing"...and god bless 'em for it!
While you're certainly entitled to your opninion, the statements you make regarding Norman Blake's ability are patently absurd. If you like other players better, fine. But, to dismiss Norman's talent just because you personally prefer the style of another player is foolish. I have to wonder if you've really listened to much of Norman's music. Sounds like you haven't. To say that Norman plays without soul demonstrates your lack of exposure to his music.
No offense but your ignorance is showing. Norman plays far more intricate stuff than Doc and he does so WITH A FLAT-PICK. Doc has fiddle tunes down pat and is a great guitarist, no doubt about it but Norman is NOT known as a finger picker. He lives 30 minutes from me and I've seen him play many times so what do I know? Do a search on RUclips for "Norman Blake Randall Collins." Norman's prodigious ability is why Tony Rice has teamed up with him on many projects.
Doc is excellent but listen to Norman Blake some time. Norman plays more intricate stuff than Doc usually plays and makes it look really easy. Look up "Norman Blake, Flatpicker" on RUclips. It's got it all: rhythm, clean melody, and his cross-picking is unsurpassed. Still, Doc does a great job on "Black Mountain Rag." If you want to hear someone light that one up though, listen to Steve Kaufman (a good friend of Doc) play it. Doc has been a huge influence to a lot of guitarists.
Those that do not like should just skip this great artist and music and go elsewhere, learn about Bluegrass music
That harmonic at 01:42 is the boss tho
or is it the plec action?!
What a loss! I saw him in concert in Augusta, Maine several years ago and loved the performance. I believe it was shortly after Merle died.
How could one "dislike" it???
Billy strings version is the best 👌
Both are very good, I'm honestly not sure which version I like more. As a whole I do prefer Doc over Billy Strings.
how is no one talking about 1:58-2:01? God damn that was impressive!
I remember my Pa would play this on his radio in his big old truck when I was little. I miss those sweet summer nights
40 years ago I played a guiter, and I have many LP records of Doc Watson. I've never thought that I could see video of moving figure of Doc Watson！＼(◎o◎)／！ Thank you.
Any idea who the mandolin and bass player are in this performance. It looks a little bit like Marty Stuart on the mandolin.
August 2023 ❤️🙏🏻🙏🏻🇨🇦
Is that Marty Stuart on mandolin? The hair looks right😊
Respect.
Aren’t the others members of the Nitty Gritty Dirt band?
It would be so nice if the cooection was better cuts out so much can't even hear the whole song