Doc Watson Dies at 89

Doc Watson

Doc Watson's name is synonymous with Merlefest.  The music festival takes place each year on the campus of Wilkes Community College in Wilkesboro, North Carolina. 

The festival was only supposed to be a one time event in memory of Watson's son who passed away in a tractor accident in 1985, but since then it has grown to be one of the largest gatherings of bluegrass musicians in the country.

Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center spokeswoman announced Tuesday that the Grammy Award winning bluegrass musician had passed away at the age of 89. 

According to reports, "Watson was a master flatpicker, playing his acoustic guitar at lightning speeds that could intimidate other musicians. The blind musician also sang and played other instruments, including the harmonica.  His many awards include the National Medal of the Arts in 1997 and the lifetime achievement award from the Grammys in 2004. His albums earned seven other Grammys."

To read more about Doc Watson and his career please go to: http://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/2012/05/29/grammy-winning-folk-musician-doc-watson-dies-at-8-manager-says/?intcmp=features#ixzz1wM1wD2pP