The legendary guitarist, who turned 89 years old in March, took a fall at his home in Deep Gap on Monday and was airlifted to Baptist Hospital in Winston-Salem. Reports indicate he is being treated for pneumonia and possibly kidney failure.
BluegrassToday.com is reporting that legendary guitarist and folk singer Doc Watson is hospitalized in Winston-Salem, NC. He is 89 years old. According to two close friends of Watson’s, Doc fell on Monday and was taken to a regional hospital near his home. After taking a turn for the worse, he was airlifted to Baptist Hospital in Winston-Salem where he is being treated for what may be a case of pneumonia. Though unconfirmed at this point, there is the possibility that Doc is also suffering from kidney failure.
We all wish him well, and it hurts my soul to hear this news.
At the risk of being seen as cold hearted I’ll say that if it’s his time, I also wish him peace and the knowing that he has affected so many people in so many wonderful ways. What a joy it’s been to have him among us and I send my joy in return as he hopefully heals while also acknowledging that it may be time for him to move into a realm, whatever that may be, where many of our ancestors have been waiting to sing with him.
RR
PS, there are also a few documentaries - dvd - with Doc and others in very old footage. Black and white, poor production and crappy sound, etc (as you might imagine from that era), but soul stirring and it’ll bring a smile to your face. I found a couple of these on instant netflix
Agreed – the many thoughts and prayers we have for a suffering 89-year-old are inherently complicated, and I (for one) don’t see any inherent pessimism here – just a realistic vision of the way things work.
While I don’t share Doc’s belief system I am certain that he is getting a great deal of comfort and peace from his faith right now and that is a very good thing.
Had a little insight from a friend, if it’s any comfort. Doc is NOT expected on the Oncology Unit at Wake Forest Baptist. We’ll take what we can get at this point. :thumbsup
God Bless You Doc. Thank you for everything. Peace be with you now and when your time comes; Merle will be there to greet you. You will never be forgotten dear man.
I agree.
An article I just found… Yes, Doc is ready to leave this world even if we would rather he stick around for a long time. However, I think he is worried about RosaLee though. He cried at Merlefest when Johnny C sang a song for her… one that she always requested. Seeing Doc at Merlefest this year was certainly an emotional experience for so many of us who watched him struggle and realized how frail he had become in the past year.
