Watson, a western North Carolina native, became a key figure in the 1960s folk movement with his mix of mountain tunes, blues and gospel. He helped revolutionize folk guitar with his flat-picking, evident on his signature song, "Black Mountain Rag." Watson, 84, has received seven Grammy Awards. Besides Stanley and Watson, the music festival's lineup includes T.G. Sheppard, Sam Bush, Cherryholmes, Blue Highway, The Infamous Stringdusters, Kelli Willis, New Riders of the Purple Sage, the Carolina Chocolate Drops and Otis Taylor.
Bristol Rhythm & Roots festival
BRISTOL, Tenn. (AP) - January 22, 2008 It will be the first time either has performed at the annual
festival celebrating the region's musical heritage. The festival
runs Sept. 19-21 in downtown Bristol.
"They are such great artists, and both are from this area,"
said Leah Ross, the festival's executive director.
In the 1950s, Stanley and Watson performed in Bristol on the
"Farm and Fun Time" radio program, which helped promote their
careers.
Stanley, 80, a native of southwest Virginia, is a member of the
International Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame and the Grand Ole Opry.
He and his brother, Carter, formed the Stanley Brothers and
their Clinch Mountain Boys in 1946. The duo helped define the music
that would become known as bluegrass, fusing Bill Monroe's rapid
rhythms with the mountain folk of groups such as the Carter Family.
After his brother died of liver disease in 1966, Stanley
continued recording and adopted the a cappella singing style of the
Primitive Baptist church in which he was raised.
Stanley gained a new generation of fans when his music was
featured in the 2000 film "O Brother, Where Art Thou?"
