Doctor of Bluegrass

July 1, 2010

From the left: Matt Glaser, Stephen Webber, Rusty Williams, and Doc Watson.

Matt Barker

Legendary bluegrass singer and guitar master Arthel “Doc” Watson received an honorary doctor of music degree from Berklee on Saturday, May 1. The award was presented at MerleFest, the music festival in Wilkesboro, NC, named for Watson’s late son Merle Watson

Matt Glaser, the artistic director of Berklee’s American Roots Music Program; Berklee trustee Rusty Williams; and MP&E Professor Stephen Webber presented the award. During the ceremony, Glaser (on fiddle) and Webber (on ukelele) broke into the tune “When the Roses Bloom in Dixieland,” the first song Watson ever learned, and the honoree joined in on guitar, and sang several verses. He also shared his thoughts on receiving the degree and explained how he got his nickname.

This article appeared in our alumni magazine, Berklee Today Summer 2010. Learn more about Berklee Today.
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