From bluegrass, to folk, to old-time, to blues, to country, Doc Watson's music been emulated by musicians and enjoyed by music fans around the globe, but it is flatpicking guitar players who hold a special affinity for this man. Doc Watson may not have been the first person to put flatpick to steel strings on an acoustic guitar. However, he is the one who we all look to as the "father" of this style. On this recording we present some of today's top flatpickers, along with their musical partners, honoring a man who has had a profound impact on each of their lives.

Song List (click on a song heading to listen to an MP3 sample):

Gonna Lay Down My Old Guitar (Doug Rorrer & Steve Kilby)
Reuben's Train (Dix Bruce & Jim Nunally)
Old Camp Meeting Time (Kenny & Amanda Smith)
Deep River Blues (Jim Hurst & Missy Raines)
Salt Creek/Bill Cheathum (Wyatt Rice, Tim Stafford & Rushad Eggleston)
Alberta/Billy in the Lowground (Orrin Star & Russel Scholle)
Train That Carried My Girl From Town (Brad Davis & Whitewater)
Way Downtown (John Tindel & RST)
Cotton Eyed Joe (David Grier)
A-Roving On A Winter's Night (Chris & Sally Jones)
The Crawdad Song (Brad Davis & Dan Miller)
Rainbow (Steve Kaufman & Roy Curry)
Little Sadie (Adam Granger)
More Pretty Girls Than One (Craig Vance & Chris Leske)
Black Mountain Rag (Steve Pottier & Barry Soloman)
The Long Journey Home (John McGann & Chris Moore)
Southbound (Joe Carr & Alan Munde)
Matty Groves (Larry Keel & Rushad Eggleston)

Over the past fifty years the guitar has had a very powerful influence on American music. Predominantly a rhythm instrument at the turn of the century, the guitar began to step out of the rhythm section in the 1930s and 40s and has maintained a dominant presence in every form of music from rock, to folk, to country, bluegrass, blues, and old-time. While Elvis, the Beatles, Bob Dylan, and other pop icons of the 50s and 60s certainly played a large role in bolstering the guitar's popularity, the man who has had the deepest, most enduring, and most profound influence on the way the acoustic flat top guitar is played as a lead instrument in folk, old-time, and bluegrass music today is Arthel "Doc" Watson.

To those of us who have spent hundreds of hours slowing down Doc Watson records in order to learn the tastefully selected notes that he plays and emulate the clear, crisp tone he pulls out of his instrument, Doc is a legend. However, Doc's influence extends far beyond the small niche of guitar players who try to faithfully reproduce his guitar breaks because Doc Watson is not just a guitar player and singer: he is an American hero. To be recognized as a "national treasure" by President Jimmy Carter, honored with the National Medal of the Arts by President Bill Clinton, and given an honorary doctorate degree from the University of North Carolina calls for being more than a fine musician and entertainer. Doc Watson received these accolades not just for his talent, but for the honor, integrity, humility, grace, and dignity which he has displayed throughout his long and distinguished career. While there are many, many great guitar players and singers, there is only one Doc Watson.

This tribute CD is our way of honoring Doc Watson and his music. Additionally, we honor the two men who have spent the most time on the road with Doc: Merle Watson and Jack Lawrence. These two men have not only been Doc's musical partners, and standout musicians in their own right, but each has also been Doc's good friend and loyal traveling companion. If it were not for Merle and Jack I think Doc may have given up life on the road a long time ago and thus many of us would not have had the opportunity to see Doc Watson perform.

Each of the guitar players on this recording were inspired to learn the songs they play here after first hearing Doc play them. My direction to each of the artists was to "pick a song that was inspired by Doc, but play it in your own style." I was very pleased with all of the songs that were submitted for this recording. Looking through the liner notes you will notice that we have highlighted the guitar players. However, I want to thank all of the musicians who were involved. Each of the artists our guitar players work with did an outstanding job.

Everyone who performs on this recording-and everyone who has been featured in, writes for, or subscribes to Flatpicking Guitar Magazine-has been greatly inspired by Doc Watson. Most of us would not be where we are today if it were not for Doc Watson and his musical partners Merle Watson and Jack Lawrence. This is our way of saying "Thanks!"

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