Participation Type
Panel
Session Title
Session 1.11 Folklore
Presentation #1 Title
Doc Watson Family Milestones: A Musical Storybook
Presentation #1 Abstract or Summary
A presentation of a one-of-a-kind musical anthology of the Doc Watson family, created by the family themselves. This is a collection that was made with scissors and construction paper, string and glue, recently found reel-to-reel tapes that had long been buried, and stacks of family photo albums. The stories and songs are by 26 members of the family, some born more than 100 years apart. Tying together the collection are short narrations by Watson's daughter, Nancy. Part history lesson and part folk wisdom, the commentary is meant to give context to the story she is telling. The project is a 10 year endeavor by Nancy, and was augmented by ETSU assistant professor and musician Roy Andrade. Presented as a family musical history with 600 rare photographs, the project aims to tell the story of the Watson family from their own perspective. Also included are songs and stories from the family, recorded by the family themselves, that offer an intimate look into the musical life of this extraordinary family. Collages of hundreds of Watson family photographs dating back over 100 years accompany the collection, and taken as a whole, it is a rare glimpse into a legendary musical family through their own lens.
At-A-Glance Bio- Presenter #1
Roy Andrade is an assistant professor in Bluegrass, Old Time and Country Music Studies at East Tennessee State University. He is an old-time musician, and former member of the acclaimed stringband Reeltime Travelers.
Doc Watson Family Milestones: A Musical Storybook
Harris Hall 443
A presentation of a one-of-a-kind musical anthology of the Doc Watson family, created by the family themselves. This is a collection that was made with scissors and construction paper, string and glue, recently found reel-to-reel tapes that had long been buried, and stacks of family photo albums. The stories and songs are by 26 members of the family, some born more than 100 years apart. Tying together the collection are short narrations by Watson's daughter, Nancy. Part history lesson and part folk wisdom, the commentary is meant to give context to the story she is telling. The project is a 10 year endeavor by Nancy, and was augmented by ETSU assistant professor and musician Roy Andrade. Presented as a family musical history with 600 rare photographs, the project aims to tell the story of the Watson family from their own perspective. Also included are songs and stories from the family, recorded by the family themselves, that offer an intimate look into the musical life of this extraordinary family. Collages of hundreds of Watson family photographs dating back over 100 years accompany the collection, and taken as a whole, it is a rare glimpse into a legendary musical family through their own lens.
