I saw Doc Watson last year at the Downtown in Johnson City. Attending with friends, I very nearly missed it; now I'm glad I was there. The Downtown--the sound alone is phenomenal in that space-- is one of those places one is likely to hear the best of musicians at any given time, and it's my understanding Doc Watson graced that stage many a time.
The night I heard him, I was surprised by his appearance: his blindness meant little to this observer, because he had something else--a presence that went beyond what he couldn't see with his eyes. Tall, white-haired and a bit fragile, all that was forgotten when he took his guitar in hand and began to play. Call it magic, skill, charisma or all of the above, that man could play the guitar. Those old fingers fairly raced over the strings, drawing enchantment into the room. All those in attendance were still--we couldn't move for fear of disturbing the aura.
Long live his memory and the music he shared with us.
About Me
- saundra
- Born in Tallahassee, the capital of Florida, I am a genuine Florida Cracker--a descendent of sturdy women and men who farmed their way south from North Carolina in the early 1800's. I am a graduate of Florida State University with a BS in Social Science, and earned an MA in Education/Storytelling from East Tennessee State University. My work is deeply influenced by a love and reverence for the natural world and environmental issues and my love of story. Performance Photos by Valerie Menard, Silentlightimages.com.
