RIP Doc Watson

This country lost one of its musical treasures this week with the death of Doc Watson.  There's a hole in the traditional music community that can never be filled. 

We were lucky enough to see him in concert a few years ago, and were completely amazed at his playing.  I'm so glad now we had the opportunity to see him, and even more glad that we took it.  There's still a sore spot in my memory whenever I think about the free show Bill Monroe gave in a park a few blocks from where we were living at the time.  The free show Bill Monroe was giving that we did not go to.  That will rankle until the end of time.

Never, ever pass up a chance to see a true musical legend.  Every year we lose a few, and they can never be replaced.  A few years ago, a mailing list I belong to started a "bucket list" of acts people want to see before they (the musicians, not the people making the lists) are gone.  I've been lucky enough to have seen many of mine:  Dylan, Odetta, Jean Ritchie, Doc Watson, Hazel Dickens, Ralph Stanley, Earl Scruggs, Kristofferson. There are already more than a few that I'll never get the chance to see again.  And several others I never got the chance to see:  Monroe, Johnny Cash, Lilly May Ledford, Townes Van Zandt.

I still need to see Loretta Lynn and Willie Nelson, though.  Better do something about that, for sure.  And Merle Haggard.  And Pete Seeger.  And Springsteen (although I'll never be able to afford that one).  And Joan Baez.  And Janis Ian.  And... 

So, who's on your musical bucket list?  Who do you regret not getting to see?  Who are  you glad/grateful you had the chance to see?

Perhaps, there is no greater statement about Doc Watson and his talent than this.  Being included in a Guy Clark song is perhaps the ultimate tribute for a musician.