'Doc Watson: A Life in Music'
Eddie Huffman will share his new book, “Doc Watson: A Life in Music.” and also be accompanied by musician Jerad Davis at 6 p.m. Thursday, March 27, at City Lights Bookstore in Sylva.
An intimate and lovingly written biography of one of music’s legendary performers, this is the first major book written about Doc Watson and is destined to be the go-to book on Watson for generations to come.
Arthel “Doc” Watson (1923–2012) is arguably one of the most influential musicians Appalachia has ever produced. A musician’s musician, Watson grew up on a subsistence farm in the North Carolina mountains during the Great 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, Watson 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.
Huffman tells the story of Watson’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.
To showcase the intricate beauty and mesmerizing sound of Watson, local singer-songwriter and guitarist Jerad Davis will also perform a handful of Watson’s melodies.
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Huffman is a writer, reporter and author of “John Prine: In Spite of Himself.” He lives in Greensboro.
The event is free and open to the public. For more information, visit citylightsnc.com or call 828.586.9499.
