7th Annual Doc Watson Musicfest

July 9 and 10

Old Cove Creek High School

Sugar Grove, NC 28679

Call 828 297-2200 or online at www.docwatsonmusicfest.org

Come celebrate Doc Watsonís 7^thÝ Grammy award at the Doc Watson Musicfest in historic Sugar Grove, NC on July 9 and 10, 2004. Now in its 7^thÝ year, the Doc Watson Musicfest has become a favorite of bluegrass, old time, blues and Americana music lovers everywhere. Helping Doc celebrate this year, some of the top names in homegrown music will gather in the intimate setting of the Old Cove Creek High School in beautiful Sugar Grove, N.C.

The Old Cove Creek High School, home of the Doc and Merle Watson Folk Art Museum, is a great place to enjoy live music. Nestled in Sugar Grove, NC, the historic WPA-built school and surrounding grounds come alive with fantastic picking in a laid back outdoor setting where everyone can see the stage and hear the music while they mingle with the musicians.

The music begins at 4 p.m. on Friday, July 9, and culminates with the Musicfest Jam beginning at 8 p.m.ÝÝ On Saturday, July 10, the entertainment begins at 9 a.m. and runs continuously throughout the day until Saturdayís Doc and friendsí Musicfest Jam.

Your ticket also includes admission to the Doc and Merle Watson Folk Art Museum inside the Old Cove Creek School. There you will discover a treasure trove of Doc Watson music history. All of the proceeds from this event benefit the museum which serves as a living tribute to Doc and Merle Watson and their extraordinary contribution to American and Appalachian culture.

This year, the museumís featured artist is multiple Grammy Award winner David Holt.

David Holt is a multi-talented musician and storyteller.  He is known for his entertaining concerts around the country; his appearances on TNN; as host of the PBS Folkways series and public radioœs Riverwalk; Classic Jazz from the Landing; and for his numerous award-winning music and storytelling recordings.

David was born in Gatesville, TX, but now lives in the western mountains ofÝ North Carolina with his family where he stays busy collecting, writing, and performing songs and stories of the Blue Ridge Mountains.   

Music has always been important to David, but he fell in love with the sound of the old-time banjo in 1968, and moved to WNC to learn directly from the old time mountaineers.   For three years in a row, FRETS magazine named David ìbest old-time banjoist.î  He also plays the guitar, slide guitar, harmonica, jaw harp, bones, mouth bow, and washboard.  He was a Grammy Award winner in 1997 and again in 2003 with Legacy, along with Doc Watson.  

David first met Doc in 1972 in Lavonia, Georgia.  He asked Doc how a blind person dreams.  Docís answer: ìI dream in feelings, pure feelings.î In 1984 Doc and Merle Watson appeared as guests on Fire on the Mountain, a show David was hosting on TNN.  David remembers: ìWhat a pleasure it was to play with them.  Tone, musicianship, ‚‚it was all there, but what really floored me was how quickly we locked into a rhythm that just seemed to carry the music along effortlessly.î  

The three worked together again in 1985 on Reel and Rock, one of Merle Watsonís last recording projects before his death. Four years later Doc and David again reunited for Grandfatherís Greatest Hits, with Chet Atkins, Duane Eddy, Mark OíConner and Jerry Douglas.

Since 1998 David, Doc and Richard, Docís grandson, have performed their The Hills of Home Tour on North Carolina Public Television as well as in concert halls across the country. During each concert, David talks with Doc about his past.  The audiences were so intrigued by these glimpses into Docís life that two CDs of interviews and music were recorded and coupled with a live concert recording from Asheville, NC TO create the Grammy Award winning Legacy.  

Join Doc at this yearís festival and get to know Grammy Award winner David Holt in the Doc and Merle Watson Folk Art Museum.

Along with all the great music you will be able to enjoy good food and soft drinks as well as browse the musical instruments, CDs and crafts for sale.

Advance tickets will be available through Thursday, July 8, prices are $10 for Friday, $20. Tickets will be available at the gate. The prices are $15 for Friday, $25 for SaturdayÝ