Bean Blossom Hall of Fame to induct Doc Watson

Two presidents have honored him and one described him as “a national treasure.”

Before 2009 is put to bed, Arthel “Doc” Watson will find his rightful place in another small corner of the nation. He will be inducted this fall into Bill Monroe’s Bluegrass Hall of Fame in Bean Blossom, Ind.

The induction will take place on Sept. 26, the final day of Uncle Pen Days, one of several music festivals held on the campgrounds and festival grounds once owned by Bill Monroe.

The Bluegrass Hall of Fame and Museum is located on the festival grounds.

Watson, blind since infancy, has won just about every national arts award that’s been conjured up, including six Grammys and the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, the National Heritage Fellowship from the National Endowment of the Arts and the National Medal of the Arts from President Bill Clinton.

Now in his 80s, Watson is still regarded as one of the nation’s premier acoustic guitarists, performing both as a flatpicker and finger-stylist.

Publicists for the Bean Blossom festivals say Watson’s induction will salute the native of Deep Gap, N.C., for his contributions to both bluegrass and folk music.

The web site does not say whether Watson plans to attend the ceremony.