Rick's Rendevouz - MAY 16TH -20TH 2012

Yeah its over all right, it was the 17-20th

See post # 2175

See you there. I will likely roll in on Saturday. Lots of good airheads are always in attendance. This is where I met Rick and Woody for the first time.

Unfortunately, we lost Doc.......

North Carolina folk artist Doc Watson dies at 89

WINSTON-SALEM, North Carolina (Reuters) - Grammy-winning U.S. guitarist and folk singer Arthel Lane "Doc" Watson died on Tuesday in a North Carolina hospital at age 89, his management company said.

Watson died at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center in Winston-Salem, following abdominal surgery last week, Folklore Productions International said in a statement.

"Doc was a legendary performer who blended his traditional Appalachian musical roots with bluegrass, country, gospel and blues to create a unique style and an expansive repertoire," the statement said. "He was a powerful singer and a tremendously influential picker who virtually invented the art of playing mountain fiddle tunes on the flattop guitar."
Watson, who was blinded before his first birthday, won seven Grammy Awards, in addition to the Grammy for lifetime achievement he received in 2004. In 2006 he won in the category of best country instrumental performance for his playing on "Whiskey Before Breakfast."

Watson was born on March 3, 1923, in Deep Gap, North Carolina, to a banjo-playing father, General Watson, and a mother who sang traditional secular and religious songs, Annie Watson.

Blinded by an eye infection as a toddler, he learned to play the banjo first, then taught himself the chords to "When the Roses Bloom in Dixieland" on a borrowed guitar at age 13, his managers said.

He picked up some chords from a fellow student at the Raleigh School for the Blind and began to incorporate music he heard on the radio with familiar Appalachian melodies.

Watson became a full-time professional musician in the 1960s and played everywhere from folk festivals to Carnegie Hall.

For much of his career, he toured and recorded with his son, Merle Watson, who died in a tractor accident in 1985. Doc Watson's most popular recordings include the songs "Tom Dooley," "Shady Grove" and "Rising Sun Blues."

"There may not be a serious, committed baby boomer alive who didn't at some point in his or her youth try to spend a few minutes at least trying to learn to pick a guitar like Doc Watson," President Bill Clinton said when he awarded Watson the National Medal of the Arts in 1997.

Watson is survived by his wife, Rosa Lee Carlton Watson, and their daughter Nancy Ellen, his grandchildren Richard Watson and Karen Watson Norris, several great-grandchildren, and his brother David Watson.

John, I was lucky enough to get to see Doc at Down Home in Johnson City several times. I have been a Doc Watson fan since I was eight years old.

One of the greatest! He will be missed by MANY.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9NJgAcJPnZk

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KX0Q2UY_l0g&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U-ODoOHoNyQ&feature=related

I think Ricky Scaggs said that Doc's flat pickin was like water flowing over the rocks.

The grass is blue in heaven now.

How about a couple more of that old rounder Doc – “shuffle them cards Rick”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YeiXnyvo0d4&feature=related

and some uncle fudd….

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U5c1k949Zn4&feature=related

Hey, who were all the sponsors of the prizes Saturday night?

Twisted Throttle stepped up once again Thanks!!! That's awesome!!!

We need to give a big shout out and thanks to those people!!

• Twisted Throttle- www.twistedthrottle.com
• Carolina KTM - http://www.carolinaktm.com/index.html or fb link
  
• Max BMW- www.maxbmwmotorcycles.com
• Mortons BMW- www.mortonsbmw.com
• GIVI- www.giviusa.com
• Dual Sport Touring- www.dualsporttouring.com
• Lockitt- www.lockitt.com

With Doc & Mr. Scruggs keeping one another company?? You bet the grass is blue!! Some foot-stomping good music going on for sure

Nope the RDV is a state of mind. The road goes on forever and the party never ends.

next year.. same time between Mothers Day and Memorial Day

(to 95%).

just talked to a very nice lady on the phone, and she asked me to plug her summer-camp for boys. The owners are riders too, and I am going to see them this weekend... stay tuned

Camp Arrowhead

As in the 15th to the 19th?

yup - unless we find a great space that is not available during this time.

I talked to Charlie and he reminded me that there is no need to prepay for this; but he would appreciate a phone call or email so he can plan the meals.

The weather is going to be terrific.

421 and 321 are great roads. Think that is the ones I was lost on during my "shortcut" from Hickory to Bristol.

I see 421 from my home office window. It's my "home track".

alright guys 'n gals:

Thanks again to all of you for coming to Laurel Springs and being part of the RDV!

And thanks to all of our ride leaders and the AVL crew - we could not have done it without any of you

And here are the real news: we've been already working on a new location and.... ... we found the perfect spot: we will have a whole resort in the Mountains! I'll post up more details once I return the signed contract and deposit.

So, mark your calendars for the

12th Ricks Rendezvous in TN from 5/16-5/19/2013