Fact sheet
| Personal: | Date of birth: October 15, 1946
Place of birth: Gatesville, Texas Lives in the mountains of Western North Carolina near Asheville since 1973 with his wife, Ginny |
| Education: | University of California at Santa Barbara, College of Creative Studies; Bachelor of Science and Arts degrees, magna cum laude – Biology and Art. Advanced degree in Education. |
| Work: | Performs full-time throughout the world since 1981.
Founded and directed the Appalachian Music Program at Warren Wilson College in Swannanoa, NC 1975 – 1981. Tours for US State Department as musical ambassador |
| Instruments: | Banjo, Slide Guitar, Guitar, Ukulele, Spoons, Bones, Jaw Harp, Harmonica, Paper Bag |
| Awards: | Winner of Four GRAMMY AWARDS Two GRAMMY AWARDS (artist and producer) for LEGACY with Doc Watson – Best Folk Recording 2003. Two GRAMMY AWARDS (artist and producer) for Stellaluna – Best Children’s Spoken Word Recording 1997 Eight GRAMMY nominations. Named “The Best of the New Generation” by Esquire Magazine in its first annual Register of Men and Women Who Are Changing America (1984) Inducted into the National Storytelling Association’s “Hall of Fame” Circle of Excellence Three-time winner of the FRETS magazine readers’ poll for “best old-time banjoist” University of North Carolina “Razor Walker Award” (1993) “Presented to individuals in the service of youth who have demonstrated vision, tenacity, sacrifice and courage. Those who walk the razor’s edge.” |
| Television: | Host of PBS’s:
Host of TNN’s:
Guest appearances on Hee Haw (1985-1994)
Regular Guest appearances on TNN:
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| Radio: | Host of Public Radio’s Riverwalk: Classic Jazz from the Landing (1989-present)
Guest appearances on Grand Ole Opry (1982-present) |
| Music Recordings: Highwindy |
Cutting Loose with David Holt & Josh Goforth 2007 GRAMMY nominee
David Holt & the Lighting Bolts with Josh Goforth, Laura Boosinger, David Cohen and Zeb Holt 2006 Let It Slide with Sam Bush & Doc Watson 2005 Live And Kickin’ at the National Storytelling Festival with Zeb Holt 2003 GRAMMY nominee Legacy with Doc Watson 3 CD set 2003 GRAMMY Award winner I Got A Bullfrog: Folksongs For The Fun Of It 1994 American Library Association’s “Notable Recordings” Grandfather’s Greatest Hits 1992 GRAMMY nominee for Best Traditional Folk Recording and PARENTS Magazine’s First PARENTS PRIZE. Reel & Rock with Doc and Merle Watson 1985 INDIE Award winner Best Folk Recording. 25th Anniversary Reissue in 2010 It Just Suits Me 1981 (June Appal Records) Instructional Videos – Folk Rhythms, Old-time Banjo |
| Story Recordings: Highwindy |
Hairyman Meets Tailybone 2006
Spiders In the Hairdo with Bill Mooney 2001 Grammy nominee Stellaluna 1997 GRAMMY AWARD winner, American Booksellers Association “Pick of the List”, A.L.A. Notable Recording Why The Dog Chases The Cat: Great Animal Stories 1995 GRAMMY nominee, A.L.A. Notable Recording, NAIRD Award winner Mostly Ghostly Stories 1995 INDIE Award winner Tailybone 1985 A.L.A. Notable Recording, INDIE Award winner Hairyman 1981 A.L.A. Notable Recording The Hogaphone and Other Stories (video) 1991 |
| Books: | The Exploding Toilet: Modern Urban Legends with Bill Mooney (August House Publishers) (2004) Spiders In the Hairdo: Modern Urban Legends with Bill Mooney (August House Publishers) More Ready-To-Tell Tales: Stories from Around the World (August House Publishers) (2000) Ready-To-Tell Tales: Collection of Sure-fire Stories (August House Publishers) (1994) The Storytellers Guide: Complete “How-to” for Storytellers (August House Publishers) (1997) |