Willie Watson - Millennium Stage (September 22, 2022)

Live Tonight on Millennium Stage: For over two decades, Willie Watson has made modern folk music rooted in older traditions. He's a folksinger in the classic sense: a singer, storyteller, and traveler, with a catalog of songs that bridge the gap between the past and present. From his early days as a founding member of the Old Crow Medicine Show to his current work as a solo artist, he is a celebrated musician with a rich vocal range, a top interpreter of the folk canon and a highly skilled multi-instrumentalist.
On the road as an active touring musician, Watson often plays alone with his soaring vocals accompanied by his guitar, banjo and harmonica, but most recently has been traveling with his new string band, featuring fellow Old Crow alum Ben Gould on upright bass, Sam Schmidt on guitar and mandolin, and Rosie Newton on fiddle.
Playing in Old Crow Medicine Show, Watson learned how to be part of a string band, but as a solo artist, he's perfected everything from gospel to blues to Appalachian folk to Irish traditional music. With his two solo albums, Folksinger Vol. 1, and Folksinger Vol. 2, both produced by David Rawlings at Acony Records in Nashville, Watson has never sounded more commanding, more confident or more connected to the music that inspires him. His albums carry on the spirit of a time nearly forgotten. They tap into the rich core of roots music and further the legacy of American folk. And perhaps most importantly, they show the full range of Willie Watson's artistry, matching his instrumental and vocal chops with a strong appreciation for the songs that have shaped a genre. "I try to take songs I can relate to and that I can sing with urgency, that I can feel," he says, humbly. "I'm just happy if people dig it."

[sartainja]

Willie is a prince and a scholar of tradition American music. Thank goodness that we still have mensches like him to keep it alive.

[cj-cwwi]

Please take care of yourself, Willie, because I am going to need this in my life for many years to come.

[theodorelacroix]

I am sitting here listening with a grin from ear to ear. Talk about real talent!

[bigtplaysgames]

Saw him this week. The song he closed with with the chorus "This Is The Only Real Love That I've Ever Known" hit me so hard. It was the second-from-last on this set. But man was the whole show great! The band was incredible I cant recommend seeing this artist and his band enough theyre a fantastic folk act.

[davidf]

Seen Willie in Glasgow last year for the first time. Impeccable performer. Such a great singer. Hoping he comes back to Scotland again soon.

[indianerize]

FUCK man two minutes and i am completely blown away dude...

[rocksteady]

Saw Willie and his new string band in Ithaca with about 50 other people. Band had been together about a week and gave us an epic performance, WW has energy to spare.. Changed my life.

[featheredcoyote]

Imagine Willie and Sierra Ferrell doing some songs would be heavenly

[mabellekirk]

Love that you've stayed true to this music! Been a fan since seeing you in Sugar Grove many years ago.

[swampwhiteoak]

The best performance by Willie! His old Larrivee looks good with all the mileage!
The new string band is great! Love the fiddle player! Nice to see Ben again keeping key and rhythm. The mandolin / guitar player is excellent too.
Performing BLJ songs is a treat!
Keep it up!

[charlieduncan]

It looks as though Willie has adopted Dave Rawlings' elegant solution for where to keep your strings, picks, capos, small tools etc: the little drawered cabinet on the table.

[swagginassbitch]

that new song tho... tears to my eyes.

[MrPeach]

Come on willie lets get those original singles.

[nathanfrazermusic]

Great band! Love that Willie is keeping it real.

[ukindnesss]

I first heard Willie Watson in the movie "Redeeming Love" did some research and found him on Youtube. I love this song particularly as I have also seen the Light from Heaven come Shining several times in my missionary journeys.

[cj-cwwi]

Willie is touring with Allison Krause and Union Station in 2025. Can't wait.

[danielpoursac]

Country quand tu nous amène à des Horizons ou l'on rencontre des sons merveilleux et ses chants venue d'ailleurs pour notre plus grand Plaisir

[michaelochman]

Would like to see WW do an album of traditional cowboys songs. Streets of Laredo Amarillo by morning etc. Excellent job on Buster Scrugigs.

[BerkeleyOldTimeMusicConvention]

That's Sami Braman on fiddle, not Rosie Newton!

[jorismous]

the only thing that would make it better if it was in a nice rowdy bar