Eddy Merle Watson (February 8, 1949 – October 23, 1985) was an American folk and bluegrass guitarist. He was best known for his performances with his father,

Doc Watson Arthel Lane "Doc" Watson (March 3, 1923 – May 29, 2012) was an American guitarist, songwriter, and singer of bluegrass, folk, country, blues, and gospel music. Watson won seven Grammy awards as well as a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award ...

. Merle played and recorded albums together with his father from age 15 until his death in a tractor accident 21 years later. Merle was widely recognized as one of the best flat-picking and slide guitarists of his generation. MerleFest, one of the world's largest and most-prestigious folk music festivals, is held annually in

Wilkesboro, NC Wilkesboro is a town in and the county seat of Wilkes County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 3,687 at the 2020 census. The town is located along the south bank of the Yadkin River, directly opposite the town of North Wilkesboro. ...

and is named in his honor. Merle and his father released a version of "

Bottle of Wine "Bottle of Wine" is a song written and recorded by Tom Paxton, which was also a hit for the band The Fireballs, whose version reached #9 on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100 in 1968 and #5 in Canada. It also reached #3 in South Africa. The song, which in ...

" that reached No. 71 on the U.S. country chart.

Death

Watson died in a farm accident in 1985 at age 36. He was driving a tractor to a nearby house when it slipped down an embankment and pinned him beneath it.

Discography

All albums were in collaboration with his father,

. *1965 – '' Doc Watson & Son'' *1967 – ''

Ballads from Deep Gap ''Ballads from Deep Gap'' is the second studio album by American folk music artist Doc Watson and Merle Watson, released in 1967. The title references the town Watson was born in — Deep Gap, North Carolina. Two of the songs were co-written w ...

'' *1971 – ''

Doc Watson on Stage ''Doc Watson on Stage'' (sub-titled ''featuring Merle Watson'') is the title of a live recording by American folk music artist Doc Watson, released in 1971. It was originally released as a double LP and contained many previously unreleased title ...

'' *1972 – '' The Elementary Doctor Watson!'' *1973 – '' Then and Now'' *1974 – '' Two Days in November'' *1976 – ''

Doc and the Boys ''Doc and the Boys'' is the title of a recording by Doc Watson, released in 1976. ''Doc and the Boys'' is out-of-print and was re-issued in 2003 by Southern Music packaged with ''Live and Pickin. Track listing # "Darlin' Cory" (Traditional) ...

'' *1977 – ''

Lonesome Road Lonesome may refer to: * ''Lonesome'' (1928 film), an American comedy drama part-talkie film * ''Lonesome'' (2022 film), an Australian drama film * Loneliness, the emotion * "Lonesome", a song by Unwritten Law from the album ''Unwritten Law'' * " ...

'' *1978 – ''

Look Away! ''Look Away!'' is the title of a recording by Doc Watson and Merle Watson, released in 1978. ''Look Away!'' is out-of-print and was re-issued on CD in 2002 by Southern Music packaged with ''Lonesome Road!''. Allmusic entry for Lonesome Road/Look ...

'' *1981 – ''

Red Rocking Chair ''Red Rocking Chair'' is an album by Doc and Merle Watson, released in 1981 on the Flying Fish label. Reception Writing for Allmusic, music critic Steve Leggett wrote of the album "Watson brings his own considerable guitar and banjo skills to b ...

'' *1983 – ''

Doc and Merle Watson's Guitar Album ''Doc and Merle Watson's Guitar Album'' is the title of a recording by American folk music artist Doc Watson and Merle Watson, first released in 1983. It has been released on CD by Vanguard Records and Flying Fish Records. Track listing # "Sh ...

'' *1984 – '' Down South'' *1985 – ''

Pickin' the Blues ''Pickin' the Blues'' is the title of a recording by American folk music artists Doc Watson and Merle Watson, released in 1985. In 2006, it was re-issued on a limited edition, 180 gram all-analog virgin vinyl record from Analogue Productions. R ...

Awards and honors

* 1974 Grammy for Best Ethnic Or Traditional Recording: Merle Watson & Doc Watson for ''Two Days In November'' * 1979 Grammy for Best Country Instrumental Performance: Doc Watson & Merle Watson for ''Big Sandy/Leather Britches'' *"Best Finger Picking Guitarist-Folk/Blues or Country" Award from Frets Magazine

References

1949 births 1985 deaths Accidental deaths in North Carolina American folk singers Bluegrass musicians from North Carolina Farming accident deaths Grammy Award winners Singers from North Carolina 20th-century American singers 20th-century American guitarists Guitarists from North Carolina American male guitarists People from Lenoir, North Carolina People from Deep Gap, North Carolina Country musicians from North Carolina 20th-century American male singers Flying Fish Records artists {{US-folk-singer-stub