orig. Arthel Lane Watson
born March 2, 1923, Stony Fork, near Deep Gap, N.C., U.S.
U.S. country music singer, banjoist, and guitarist.
Blind from birth, Watson grew up on a farm and learned to play guitar, banjo, and harmonica as a child. Though he did not record professionally until he was in his late 30s, he quickly rose to prominence with his renditions of traditional and popular tunes backed by his virtuoso flat-picking guitar style. He appeared at the 1963 Newport Folk Festival to great acclaim. He performed for many years with his son Merle (1949–85).