Doc Watson Returns To MusicFest ‘N Sugar Grove

Festival Takes Place July 10 and 11 at Historic Cove Creek School

Story by David Brewer

Photo by David Brewer

For decades, Doc Waston has been a rock; the foundation upon which much of the High Country’s roots music legacy has been built. So when Doc’s health prevented him from taking the stage at last year’s MusicFest ‘N Sugar Grove, legions of local Doc fans were understandably concerned.

But when the fleet fingered 86-year-old took the stage alongside David Holt, Riley Baugus and his grandson Richard at Farthing Auditorium last October for the special Hills of Home show, his burning solos and signature booming vocals left little doubt that he had indeed made a full recovery and was ready to resume his role as the rock.

On Friday and Saturday, July 10 and 11, MusicFest ‘N Sugar Grove—the festival that began as Doc Watson Appreciation Day—will return to the grounds of the Historic Cove Creek High School. And the Doctor will be in.

“There’s no greater pleasure—even getting paid a lot of money for a show—there’s no greater pleasure than the reception from an audience that says ‘we love you,’” said Watson. “The audience here is as good as you get.”

At last Monday’s press conference for the festival, Doc talked about his experiences as a performer and how being humble has helped steady him through several decades in the business before performing several numbers and jamming with members of Sweetbriar Jam and The Forget-Me-Nots.

Members of youthful bluegrass band Sweetbriar Jam and Forget-Me-Nots fiddler Willa Fink surround Doc Watson as the mountain musicians bridge the generation gap by trading solos on “Foggy Mountain Breakdown,” “Soldier’s Joy” and other familiar tunes. Photo by David Brewer

“When I go on the stage, I’m just me—paddle-headed part of the time, but people seem to love it,” said Watson. “They tell me that that’s why they like me, because when I get up there, I’m Doc Watson, not putting on some kind of act that I rehearsed for two days before I went to work.”

In addition to the return of Doc Watson along with Richard Watson and Charles Welch, the 12th annual MusicFest will feature performances by perennial favorites and headliners The Kruger Brothers, the Carolina Chocolate Drops and the Steep Canyon Rangers. Both nights will end with jam sessions.

MusicFest ‘N Sugar Grove will also feature performances by Amantha Mill, the Andy Owens Band, Lost Ridge Band, Backporch Bluegrass, The Cockman Family, Upright & Breathin’, Lisa Baldwin & Dave Haney, Southern Exposure, The Forget-Me-Nots, the Dashboard Hula Boys, Sweetbriar Jam, Steve & Ruth Smith, Maura Shawn Scanlin and many more.

For the third consecutive year, local stringband Southern Exposure will host acts throughout the weekend at MusicFest’s Solar Stage. In addition to providing another spot to enjoy music on the festival grounds, the Solar Stage promotes the festival’s environmental emphasis. Students enrolled in ASU’s appropriate technology major will be on hand with an exhibit trailer to promote green living and alternative energy sources in the High Country.

The Solar Stage will also serve as the festival’s main jam spot, allowing musicians of all ages and skill levels to come together, collaborate, share songs and learn from one another throughout the weekend.

In addition to the vast array of talented performers, Saturday’s schedule is also packed with musicians’ workshops and a songwriters’ showcase inside the school. Andy Owens will lead the mandolin workshop, while Bob Kogut and Rhiannon Giddens will lead the fiddle session and the Kruger Brothers will head up a guitar, bass and banjo workshop.

Tickets for MusicFest ‘N Sugar Grove are $55 for two-day passes, $25 for single-day reserved seats and $20 for general admission. Kids 12 and under will be admitted free with a paying adult.

Advance tickets will be on sale until Wednesday, July 8 at 5:00 p.m. at BB&T, Boone Drug Deerfield and Foscoe locations, Mast General Stores in Boone and Valle Crucis, the Cove Creek Store, Boone Community One Bank, the Historic Cove Creek High School, Ashe Civic Center and True Value Hardware in Mountain City, Tenn. Purchase tickets by calling 828-297-2200.

Fore more information on the 12th annual MusicFest ‘N Sugar Grove, click to www.covecreek.net.

Want To Go?

Date: Friday and Saturday, July 10 and 11
Time: varies
Location: Historic Cove Creek School, Sugar Grove
Cost: $55 for two-day passes/$25 for reserved seats/$20 for general admission/Kids 12 & under FREE with an adult