Died On This Date (May 29, 2012) Doc Watson / Folk Music Icon
themusicsover Arthel “Doc” Watson
March 2, 1923 – May 29, 2012
Doc Watson was an influential American singer, guitarist, and songwriter whose vast catalog of songs influenced several generations of folk, country, and bluegrass musicians. Born in Deep Gap, North Carolina, Watson lost his eyesight before his first birthday due to an infection. But that by no means stopped him from picking up whatever instrument was handed to him. First it was the harmonica around age five, then the banjo at age 11, and ultimately, the guitar on which he mastered a style of flat-picking that the world had yet to hear and would seldom be matched since. Although Watson was a popular draw wherever he played throughout the ’40s and ’50s, it wasn’t until the storied folk revival of the ’60s – when college kids took to the music like never before or since, that his popularity reached new heights. Throughout his career, Watson received countless awards which included seven Grammys, a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, and a National Medal Of Arts from President Bill Clinton. In 1988, he launched Merlefest to honor his son and music partner, Merle Watson, who was killed in a tractor accident in 1985. The Wilkesboro, North Carolina festival has grown to be one of the premier music gatherings in the United States with Watson playing host and sharing the stage with the likes of Alison Krauss, Ricky Skaggs, Earl Scruggs, Del McCoury, and Willie Nelson to name just a few. The annual event draws an estimated 80,000 each year. On May 29, 2012, Doc Watson passed away shortly following colon surgery. He was 89.
What You Should Own
Steeve Hurdle was the one-time guitarist for respected Canadian death metal band, Gorguts. What started out as a fairly standard heavy band in 1989, quickly evolved into one of the most technically advanced outfits of the scene. Hurdle joined the band in 1998 and played on their breakthrough album of that same year, Obscura. He either wrote or co-wrote every song on the 60-minute opus. Although highly praised, the album hit just as death metal was losing steam, so Gorguts was subsequently dropped from their label. Hurdle and the band soon parted ways as well. In 1994, he formed Negativa who garnered a loyal legion of fans for its avant metal sound. They released their debut, Negativa, in 2006. Steeve Hurdle died from complications of an initially undisclosed surgery on May 20, 2012. He was 41. More about Steeve can be found on this 
Robert Nix was the original drummer for popular American Southern Rock band, Atlanta Rhythm Section. Formed in 1971, the band went on to release several best-selling albums that helped define American rock music of the ’70s. Their biggest success came with 1978’s Champagne Jam, which included the popular single of the same name, sold over 1 million copies and reached #7 on the charts. Nix had a hand in writing “Champagne Jam” along with several of the band’s other records. Nix left the group in 1979, but continued to make music. Prior to his run in ARS, Nix played in 
Chuck Brown was an influential American guitarist, singer and songwriter who is largely credited for creating go-go, an offshoot of funk that popped up in Washington DC during the mid ’70s. What separates go-go from all the rest is its use of call-and-response, wild street percussion, and long jams. Brown got his start playing with Jerry Butler during the early ’60s. Before he knew it, he was working solo and putting out a string of hits that included “I Need Some Money” and “Bustin’ Loose,” which is used by MLB’s Washington Nationals to celebrate their home runs. Brown went on to record the theme song for The Sinbad Show during the mid ’90s. In recent years, much of his music has reached younger audiences by way of sampling – Nelly’s 2002 #1 hit, “Hot In Here” contains a portion of “Bustin’ Loose.” In 2010, Brown was nominated for his first Grammy for the song, “Love.” He has been cited as a direct influence on such go-go legends as Trouble Funk and EU and is so beloved by his hometown of Washington DC, that they named a street after him – Chuck Brown Way. Chuck Brown was 75 when he passed away on May 16, 2012.
