Only Bill Monroe & Doc Watson Concert Video on YouTube - 1990 - Complete Set 

Thanks for allowing us mere mortals this glimpse of Zeus and Hercules

In the mid 1970's I was barely a teenager learning to play the fiddle. I was in Stuart, VA at a bluegrass festival when I came across an elderly gentleman sitting in the shade beside his chevy van. We sat there in the shade and talked for a few moments and next thing we began to have a parking lot jam session. Kind of a wisdom and youth thing! Within 10 minutes, there was several hundred people standing around listening to us. We played for about a half hour before I broke off the session off because I was shy and didn't like crowds. It wasn't until a few years later that I realized the man sitting in the shade was Doc Watson. A few weeks later, I was at a bluegrass festival in the Crimora, VA and my uncle was a festival promoter. At about 11 pm he sent for me and my fiddle, I met him behind stage and he said there is someone I want you to meet. I said, Who? He pushed me out on stage and there was Bill Monroe. Mr. Monroe look down at me and said "Son, What are you going to play?" I was star struck, I whispered "Goldrush"...He said that a good one and then he looked over at Kenny Baker and said "Kenny, Why don't you back him up?" For 3 minutes, I was a Bluegrass Boy...When I finished Mr. Monroe looked down at me and said "Kenny, I think he out to get your job"...It wasn't but a few years later that I met the love of my life and I hung up my fiddle and bow and have been fiddlin around with her for 40 years...Both of those events are precious memories to me. I have traveled the world on business travel, met a US President, Astronauts, movie stars but nothing compares to those two brief encounters with the Masters of Bluegrass. There are stars on the streets of Hollywood but these two gentlemen have stars in Heaven...

God bless the RU-vid rabbit hole!

If my house was on fire, I would grab the '71 D-28 Doc signed for me. I got kinda star struck and left him standing there with his hand out saying ' well son, if I had a guitar that picked that good I wouldn't let nobody go a writing on it'. Thanks Doc. I met Bill at the Kansas City Spirit Fest in '95. I was one of maybe 20 people there. I was ashamed that the place wasn't packed with adoring fans, and after the show he came to the side of the stage and I 1st expressed my deep appreciation and gratitude for his music, and then I apologized for the poor attendance and the obvious lack of good taste and common sense in my fellow Kansas Citians and I believe I said I'd be willing to renounce any ties with the community if it would make him feel better, and he said 'son, I saw you standing right there up front, smiling and dancing around with that pretty girlfriend of yrs, and me and the boys came out to play for you and everybody else that enjoyed the show. That's how we show our appreciation and gratitude. Whether it's 2 or 200 that come to see us, I've never taken for granted the people that took the time out of their day and spent their hard earned money and come to hear us.' He sat there and talked to me well into the next bands set, and when Tom Ewing came over to tell Bill it was time to leave Bill introduced me to Tom as 'My dear friend Seamus' and insisted that Tom join the conversation and answer every question I had. Tom even said he'd step aside if the Lord had really spoken to me and said that he wanted me to be a Blue grass Boy. It's so cool when someone you admire and respect for their contributions and mastery of something so dear to you turns out to be a total gentleman and makes you feel like a peer and an equal. I've had much less competent people put themselves on a pedestal for you if you forget to and both Bill and Doc are that much greater in my eyes and my esteem for their willingness to make meeting them one of the great moments of my life (you should see the smile on my face that night while holding up the guitar Doc signed for me.)

It's funny how everyone has an interesting story to tell in the comments about going to concerts and places and meeting famous bluegrass stars. I've only ever listened to folks like Bill, Doc, Ricky, and the like from the safety of my house. My love for bluegrass stems from my grandfather, who was born in Elk Horn, Kentucky and passed a few years ago. I try to honor him by sharing his love of bluegrass, especially Bill Monroe. ❤️

Two great musicians that influenced countless others

I was fortunate to have seen both of these gentlemen perform many times. Doc signed a Bluegrass Unlimited cap with his mark and his daughter wrote his name on it. A couple of years later I met Bill Monroe at his festival in Brown County, In.. I asked him to sign the cap. When he saw Doc's name he said, "Are you sure you want me on here with Doc?" I said, "You and Doc are the instigators, right?" He said, "I guess so.," and signed it. I think they're still playing in the angel band.

Two greats of Americana having a fun time...and the rest of we mortals being allowed a peek and a listen. Thanks for the clip!

History right there. If only the sound were better. Still, beggars cant be choosers and I thank you for posting this iconic scene.

Absolutely fantastic! Two of the greatest pickers to ever grace this world!

We were so lucky to be around when these two gentlemen were alive. Now with You Tube, we can still enjoy these marvelous musicians and human beings

Seeing this live would have been the greatest experience in my lifetime

I love this! To be treasured by fans of these beloved artists of the old time, mountain, and bluegrass genres of American music.

2 of the finest sorts right there boy,,,

What we are missing in society today are good men like these 2.

I love when that mandolin takes over.

Wow! Just happened across this on YT. I was in the audience for this set. After it wound down, I went back stage and got Bill’s autograph on a poster featuring him and his Gibson F-5L mandolin. It is mounted and hangs in my stereo room.

This is as good as it gets

I'm suprised the world hasn't imploded over this genius

Two all time favorite music makers

Wow,Thanks for posting man is this special. Love to be a bug in Docs ear. Bill was a character as was Doc. Thought I had seen everything on these two. Well done.

Another song we play at the Bluegrass Cabin in Gulfport, Mississippi sung by Jerry Johnston, a man I taught banjo in the 1980's. Jerry became a music store owner-operator and now teachers children, banjo, fiddle, guitar and mandolin. Come by one Thursday evening, when we have a great jam.

The best sounding mandolin I ever heard (and had the honour of playing when I visited the Father at his home). Thanks for sharing this wonderful footage ricgrass!.

One fun spot of my pickin life was when my band opened Horse Pens 40,and I got to escort Doc down the hill to the stage,Doc said if you pick like you walk its gonna a slow set boy,and I laughed all through our set,he was one fun guy.

Much, much thanks for video. My baby loves it too as long as I dont sing along. That almost sounds like the name of a bluegrass song! :)

Wow! Cant fit all I want to say about these two together in this little box. Thanks for keeping these videos

Monroe had the madolin memorized and never had to look at it when he plated. We have lost most of the greats.

Keep those video recorders rolling folks. This is Priceless. Thanks.

Hell yes. That is all.

For me, this is the most significant recording of all time! How come Doc and Bill only did this one time? Life sure is short!

My 2 greatest heroes! This is PRECIOUS!

This is for real the best video on RU-vid

Papa Bill and the Doc!

The shear richness of this music and two great representatives of America great music tradition (music by the people for the people) is so amazing. Thanks for posting.

LEGENDS!❤❤

Man, I wish I was there. Thanks for posting this.

I could not possibly love anything more than this.

God what a show!!! Thanks for uploading this... PURE GOLD!!!!!!

Doc Watson, one of the best ever Rip..

ricgrass Killer piece of video , two legends ,two chairs , one stage . killer . THKS.

wow, awesome, I didn't know these two ever performed together. I once had a mandolin autographed by Doc Watson. I hopped a fence at a bluegrass event in NC to get backstage and meet him. Actually, he didn't sign it, his wife did for him because he was blind.

As good as it gets. So effortless.

Wow.... Wow!!!

two masters

Legends.

Ok, Bill dancing was priceless.

This is fantastic!!! Thanks for posting

Great document of 2 legends

We cannot thank you enough for this!!!

Wow, 1990. Hot shit.

Wow!! I was at this show! I recorded the audio with a Boombox next to the PA! But video will be a treat to watch! Thank you!

WOW

Just found this music , n I LOVE it,keep it up, many Blessings to u both

That is the best music. I wished I could have played music with them.

Legends !

is it possible to wear my neck out nodding my head to this music

Super good!

two greats

That was damn good right there.

So wonderful

This is particularly exciting because, although there is some overlap with material that Ralph Riinzler put on the Smithsonian Folkways off the record volume 2 CD, there is also material which did not appear on that CD and none of this particular recording appears on that CD.

memorable ... thank you!

2 greats & simply put...they are !

Great set, these guys are legends.

THANKS perfect timing to get the jist of their interacting

Great posting....Cheers amigo(a).

Wow....!

well done! have got the album

Wow! The real thing! Get down!

they got their money's worth there - fantastic!

From his liner notes, Rinzler seems not to be aware that this recording existed because he said that the Smithsonian Folkways CD contained all the repertoire that they performed between 1963 and 1980. The material here which is not on that CD includes "Long Journey Home" and "Sally Goodin'."

M. Bill Monroe bending down to the mic :"I will never forget this !"

john galt i totally agree with your comment ,especially the part about the yuppyfied . Blues, folk, country , or should i say country hip hop , has all turned also.its not about quality any more . its more like fads , weak flash or as they call it lately , trends. Participation awards, PFFHH . Now , these two 100 percent. btw great story about walkin with Doc.

I do believe that Jerry would of loved this

Hope them boys is in heaven EPH 2:8-9, sure would like to seem um there, I recon JESUS loves music.

Kentucky meets North Carolina. Cool

I'd really like to meet the 22 charmers who voted this down.

Walking the sea

2 Kung Fu Masters

The CD only contains tracks from '63-'80. This performance is from 1990.

✨🙏✨

pick your nose, pick your friends... just pick!

I heard zmr Bill play at THUNDERROAD IN Charlotte he was great but I was astray then

Damn skippy!

I believe this was their last public performance together.

can't get to like this bluegrass doesn't really exist over here i find it monotonous even though an old pal us dedicated mandolin player and introduced me to bill Monroe back in 1980. i bet its really good to sit in a small room of musicians and listen live

you do know when Doc says "say a good howdy" Bill flips everyone the "bird"

Good lord. This seems too good to be true. Why wasn't there a pro film/production crew there filming this?

Doc never looked either.

Shame the quality of sound is poor for two legends of Bluegrass.

ok

So apparently Ry Cooder was in a short lived trio with them? Anyone know if this is correct?

Great, but I wish the a holes would stop clapping their hands

j