Doc Watson Day
Doc Watson Day 2024
August 16 & 17
Celebrate Doc Watson with two days of music, honoring the late local legend. On August 16 at 5pm, join us on the Jones House lawn for a free concert featuring some of Doc’s friends and devotees. Then on August 17, the Appalachian Theatre will host a ticketed show on the historic Doc Watson Stage.
Doc Watson Statue
Doc with his statue. Photo by Tom Fotta Jr.
Doc Watson, a 7-time Grammy Award winner, lived in Deep Gap, NC, and was a frequent visitor to Boone and the Jones House during his lifetime. A musical legend, Doc inspired generations of musicians during his lifetime with his flat-picking style. Blind since childhood, Doc wished to be remembered first as a member of the community, a husband, a father, and a grandfather.
On Friday, June 24, 2011, a life-sized bronze statue of Doc, designed by Alex Hallmark, was unveiled in downtown Boone, on the corner of W. King St. and N. Depot St. When asked about the idea of a statue of his likeness being installed in downtown Boone, Doc said it would be okay, as long as a plaque accompanied it, reading, "Just one of the people."
On the day the statue was unveiled, the Town of Boone and then-Mayor Loretta Clawson decreed that Doc Watson Day would be an annual town celebration. Ever since that day, Boone and the Jones House have celebrated his memory and influence with a free concert on the Jones House lawn on Doc Watson Day.
PAST DOC DAY PERFORMANCE VIDEOS
DOC WATSON DAY 2021 LIVESTREAM CONCERT: Re-watch it on our YouTube channel!
We we will love you, Doc, until the twelfth of never, and that's a long, long time.
This heartwarming rendition of the love ballad, "The Twelfth of Never," shows off a sweet tenderness in Doc's voice. Despite his success and fame, Doc humbly referred to himself as "just one of the people." Doc Watson played a free public concert at the Jones House on June 24, 2011 for Boone's first annual Doc Watson Day, in what would be one of his final public performances.
Doc Watson performs this upbeat tune, "Roll on Buddy," at the Jones House, after being honored with a bronze statue along King Street. This is a traditional railroad song he used to pick when he played on the streets of downtown Boone. Accompanied by David Holt, Herb Key, Jeff Little, and Charles Welch, Doc shows off his signature flatpicking guitar in a brief solo in the middle of the song. Even at the age of 88, Doc knew how to delight audiences. Roll on, Doc, roll on!
"Just think about the good old times we had." This is Doc Watson's reminder in this performance of "Frieght Train" In celebration of Boone's first annual Doc Watson Day, the legend himself graced the Jones House porch, alongside some of his closest friends, to play a free public concert. This performance of "Freight Train" showcases his signature flatpicking style of guitar playing, accompanied by pure, honest vocals.
In his greeting Beppe Gambetta reminds us that "nothing can stop the music." Influenced by Doc Watson's flatpick guitar playing, Gambetta has literally written the handbook for flatpicking in his home country of Italy. Having had the honor of performing alongside Doc Watson, Gambetta shares this special Doc tribute song, "Wise Old Man," for the 2020 celebration.
Check us out on Youtube for more videos!
Pictures from past Doc Watson Day Celebrations
