Newport Update: The Legendary Doc Watson

Rhode Island may be the smallest state in the Union, but Newport Folk Festival goers got a mighty big piece of America today …  and his name was Doc Watson.  The blind 87-year-old North Carolina native took slowly to the Festival’s Harbor  Stage with help from band mate, David Holt, who kept track of the song list and reminded Doc to tell stories of his life and travels. Beneath his wrinkled scowl and bushy eyebrows, Watson’s powerful voice sang crisp as ever.  The eight-time Grammy winner had trouble keeping his guitar tuned in the humid air, but at no time lost his audience.  Those who skipped Andrew Bird (playing at the Fort Stage) glimpsed  the nimble fingers and wit of a man who is nothing less than an American legend.