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Went to a Doc Watson concert this weekend in Mars Hill NC, (which was gooooood) and he was not playing the usual Gallager guitar but instead had a Bourgeois (however you spell that). He said that he recommended Gallagers but he did not endorse them, which meant he was free to play whatever he wanted and at the present he wanted to play a Bourgeois.   ALSO, playing with him was another picker named Holt was playing a James Burkett small guitar. Looked to be a 000. When he gave the name of the maker, I recognized the burst on the top.

Wow, what were you doing in Mars Hill? That's not too far from me. Been through there bunches on the motorcycles, etc. Nice place to visit. You didn't happen to hit Helen's Diner in downtown did you. Amazing country cooking.

Yep, last time I saw Doc, he had the Bourgeois, a mahog model called a Country Boy. They're good guitars, but one gets the impression Doc could play a barn door and it would have tone for days. He had the Gallagher with him, and I got to strum it for a moment. It's a good sounding guitar, well worn, but it's nothing spectacular. It's all in that man's hands. He is one of the cleanest players I've ever seen in person and a genuinely nice man, with a great sense of humor. Someone walked up to him and said, "Doc, would you pose for a photo?" And he said, "No, I won't pose, but I will sit still while they take the picture, because I have nowhere else to go."   

The other picker would probably have been David Holt.

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Eagles may soar, but weasels don't get sucked into jet engines.

I am building my retirement home about 6 miles from Mars Hill, down hwy 19 towards Burnsville. (actually off the beaten path a ways on a side road called Ponder Creed) Hope to move permanently in a year or two and build in my new shop and stare out the window at the trees and mountains. (and snow) At any rate I scout the area to see what's going on and one of the subs I am using to build the house is married to the lady who arranges all the "activities" for Mars Hill College, so I picked up on this Doc Watson show that way.

I have indeed tried Helen's Diner and agree with your analysis. Great food.

Yes, David Holt was the other guy on the first set. On the second set Doc had his grandson playing. The apple sure didn't fall far from this tree. His grandson was just great!

It was a fine show. They played old time music and had pictures of people they had met and who had inspired them, including Eta Baker, the Carter family, etc. etc.

Hope to run into you when I'm there.

JohnJohn Kinnaird38656.5189467593

Bro--these are the times you need to take one of your guitars, and shamelessly ask him to play it. You never know....

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From Nacogdoches...the oldest town in Texas.

http://www.stephenkinnaird.com

Glad Doc like the Bourgeois. It may be one of the ones made in the past few months. I helped build one for him this past spring and summer. Don't know if that is the one, but if so, can say it was a really good guitar. Dana puts a lot of effort in making sure every guitar out of the shop is great. but if going to Skaggs, Doc, Sutton or some of the others that will not hang in a shop, he is even more finicky (not sure that is a word or how to spell it) if possible. We talked alot about the fact Doc had ordered one and was going to use it and didn't know relationship with other maker who is a great shop also. By way headed back to OK or Branson Mo in the next month to start up my own shop again. Have to many Vet's and kids to do for and not able to do that here to any degree on consistent time. Can't wait. I plan on spending a considerable amount of time setting up the shop and making sure how and where want different station and making jigs for it all. Will definitely hit Mayes shop and hope Bill Moll shop when get back

Oh John, John, John:

Never tell people where you're building, otherwise they might be showing up and watching the leaves with you - bearing beverages, of course.      You clearly picked one of the more beautiful places on earth to retire. And, if you ride motorcycles, you'll never get bored. The river that runs along 19 towards Burnsville (I think that's it) is a real slice of heaven. An amazing place, Mars Hill.

Congrats, and Welcome neighbor!!!

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Eagles may soar, but weasels don't get sucked into jet engines.

David actually has 2 of my guitars on trial. He's playing these while I work on one with a cutaway. Both are my interpretation of the L-00. One has a small sunburst and the other has a larger sunburst. The larger sunburst is the sapele guitar that I posted pictures here a month or so back. The wood came from Brian at Beach Tonewoods. This is probably the one he was playing since he like the pickup in it better.

Anyway, thanks for the report. I sure wish you had taken some pictures.

James, I did take some pics with my cell phone but they did not turn out well. Your guitar looked great on its stand on the stage and it sounded good too. Unfortunately I never did get to see the back and sides well enough to identify the wood.

David Holt had your guitar and he had what seemed to be a National steel guitar and an open backed banjo. He played all three very well

Simplyhere:
   When I get setup there you are more than welcome to join me any old time. Don't for get the brew

I have long lusted after a good bike but the fine lady I live with while tolerant of most of my strange ways, pretty well draws the line at motorcyles. Life is full of compromises.John Kinnaird38656.8319907407