A Festival Of Handmade Music

I know that there are a lot of fine musicians who make great music on electric instruments. That said, there's still nothing like acoustic music. The sort of handmade music I remember from when I was growing up.

The only electricity those boys needed was enough juice to work a single microphone - when a microphone was available.

Nowadays, performers like Kentucky's Ricky Scaggs, heir to the bluegrass tradition, are keeping that handmade sound alive for today's audiences. Okay, they use a few more microphones now, but purity is still the goal.

This week, in Wilkesboro, N.C., Skaggs and some of the nation's other best acoustic players are gathering to honor the memory of one of their own - Merle Watson. Merle was a guitar all-star in his own right, and the son
of legendary flatpicker Doc Watson.

When Merle took to the guitar, Doc Watson - like any father whose son pays him the honor of following his footsteps - took him by the hand and helped him to learn the family trade. They made music together for over 20 years, touring the world in the process.

Merle lived in the North Carolina, in the Appalachias, where his family and his music were born. In 1985, after a woodworking injury, he set out on a tractor to get some help from his neighbors. On the way back, his brakes locked, rolling the tractor, and killing him instantly.

His father has been quoted as saying, "I didn't just lose a son. I lost the best friend I'll ever have in this world."

In 1987, a friend from a local community college approached Doc and his family about raising funds for a memorial to Merle.

It was decided that a 'Garden of the Senses' would be named after Merle. There, blind people like Doc Watson could enjoy a place where scents and textures are as carefully planned as the landscaping. It was also decided that music would be the key to fostering the memories behind the memorial.

The annual MerleFest has grown into a huge celebration of acoustic music. More than just a tribute to a musician, it has raised money for the community, and has become a continuation of Merle Watson's relationship with his audience.
Every April, the music Merle loved gets showcased at the festival. Over 75 acts are scheduled to perform this year. There are also workshops and seminars geared toward tending the talents of those who will carry on the acoustic tradition.

That way, we'll all still have the music. Even if the electric bill doesn't get paid.