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Doc Watson, the Grammy-winning blind singer-songwriter, passed way on Tuesday. He was 89. According to People magazine, Watson had been hospitalized in Winston-Salem , N.C. , for abdominal surgery. Arthel Lane Watson, who was born in North Carolina , lost his eyesight as an infant due to an infection. However, he went on to have a successful career as a bluegrass and folk musician, known for recordings including "Tom Dooley" and "Shady Grove." Watson toured and recorded with his son, Eddy Merle, from the mid-1960s through the early 1980s. Unfortunately, Merle was killed in a tractor accident on their family farm back in 1985. However, in the 2000’s, Watson was often joined onstage by his grandson, Merle’s son Richard. In all, Watson has won seven Grammy awards during his career, as well as a lifetime achievement award in 2004. In 1997, he was honoured with the National Medal of Arts from then President Bill Clinton. Watson is survived by his daughter, Nancy.

Folk music icon Doc Watson dies at 89