9 HUGE Takeaways from Doc Watson’s Guitar Journey • Acoustic Tuesday 221

Doc Watson is perhaps one of the most versatile guitarists to grace the music world. In this video, I’m going to extract 9 huge takeaways from Doc Watson’s extensive career. You’ll learn how to apply these lessons to your guitar journey to help you find more fun, focus, and progress every day.

I chose Doc Watson because he had such a vast career. Whether he was playing banjo, guitar, country music, blues, or somewhere in between, Doc was a legendary musician. The techniques he used changed many genres and inspired generations of guitarists — myself included!

Doc Watson also had some unique approaches to music. I love the way he weaves jokes into he sets, never afraid to use humor. Doc wasn’t afraid to tell authentic stories. And, it just so happened that his stories were often humorous, contributing to his incredible stage presence.

While Doc Watson passed away almost a decade ago, guitarists worldwide are still inspired every day by the way he played and the way he lived. I hope you learned some invaluable lessons today. Even if you take just one or two of these lessons from Doc Watson’s life, I hope they help you find fun, focus, and progress on your guitar journey!

Featured in this episode…

  • The North American Guitar
  • Iris Guitars
  • Blind Guitars
  • Trey Hensley
  • Machine Gun Kelly

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  1. Doc Watson great player. The original Carter gal would be a good one to talk about. What was her name? “Mother” Maybelle Carter.

  2. Hello Tony, My favorite Larivee guitar is my 00-05 All Mahogany custom 12-fret. It sounds and plays out of this world. Also, are you aware of Notable Guitars. That is where I bought my Larivee. They were recommended by a good friend who has bought several. They offer really prices and great service. Great to know your story with a Larivee guitar. Cheers!

  3. Tony,
    A few weeks back, you mentioned Clapton’s new book, Six String Stories. I immediately went to Amazon and ordered it. If you haven’t purchased it yet, there is a card inside describing a collectible book about Clapton’s Crossroads Guitar Festivals. I have the Crossroads set from the Chicago show in 2007. It’s great!!
    Anyway, this collectible is put out by some company (Genesis) in England. My wallet took a hit but I purchased it, too. Each numbered edition has autographs from 3 of the artists that have been at the festivals. Mine includes David Sanborn, Neil Schon, and Andy Fairweather Low. It is a very well made, heavy paged book with a lot of pics and artists comments about other artists in attendance, as well as from/about Clapton. I think it was worth the price as I saw Clapton with Robert Cray and Stevie Ray Vaughan in Alpine Valley, WI the night before Stevie Ray died. Those 3 will always have a place in my heart.
    Just thought you might be interested, if you haven’t yet purchased Six String Stories.

  4. Tony – I couldn’t love this spotlight on Doc more. I’v’e been going to Merlefest for over a decade. If you’ve never been I highly recommend it. And if you go, let us TAC family members know – maybe we could meet you. Probably in the tent where they showcase instruments!

  5. Oh man!! I am in bits with that Machine Gun Kelly video. Such a life moment for that young girl and hopefully one that will be the beginning of her guitar journey!! Guitar Geeks Unite!!

  6. I’m in week two of TAC, and I just gotta say my mind was blown watching my first Acoustic Tuesday today! Wow, what a wealth of information presented here…I really enjoyed it!

    The first time I was moved by music is actually something I don’t remember, but my mom tells me about. I was 3 or 4 when I fell in love with Kenny Rogers’ music (and Dolly too, of course) and the preschool called my mom to ask if I was ok because I kept saying something about “sad times” over and over. And it wasn’t until she heard me singing along in the car that she understood I was just singing the song “Lucille.”

  7. Hea Tony, glad to see comments are back. Good show, if you could do some takaways on David Rawlings that would be great, love his playing. Thanx for the show. Go lightning. Your friend Guy B. Champa Bay FL.

  8. Loved the Doc Watson segment. I had the privilege of seeing him several times live (first at the Hollywood Bowl in the mid-1960s; subsequently in small club venues or a couple of wineries in Northern CA – a couple of those with his son Merle. A real treasure!

  9. Tony,
    The Doc Watson element of the show today was so thoroughly entertaining and extremely instructive. This is my very firsst time responding to you since I joined the TAC famly over a year ago, but this segment just made me do it. I grew up in the same town as Doc (Boone, NC) and have always admired him.
    Thank you again for helping all of us in the “family”.
    Jerry

  10. ok this is going to show my age. The first song that hit me hard was “Surfaris – Wipe Out” I know it is not that great but being young I thought it was just magic.

  11. Tony, great show! I’ve been listening to Doc Watson for most of my life. He’s truly an American treasure. I thought I knew everything Doc, but you showed me! Clarence White and Tony Rice would each make for a great artist spotlight. Both Clarence and Tony cited Doc as a huge influence. The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree!

  12. Doc Watson segment was nice, a good tribute to the man, enjoyed the small win segment and the Machine Gun Kelly clip was beautiful… brought tears to my eyes as well. As always, a terrific show today and GGU!

  13. Really liked the segment which explored some of Doc Watson’s techniques

    Hope that kind of content will become a regular feature of the show

    Would love to see same for James Taylor, Neil Young, David Rawlings just to name a few

    Thanks!