Boone Celebrates Legendary Musician with Annual Doc Watson Day Concert

BOONE, NC – August 15, 2025 – The Town of Boone is proud to present the annual Doc Watson Day concert, honoring the life and legacy of western North Carolina’s most beloved flatpicking guitarist and folk icon. The concert begins at 5:00 PM on the Jones House lawn in downtown Boone and is free and open to the public.

Established in 2011 following the unveiling of the Doc Watson statue on King Street, Doc Watson Day has become a beloved Boone tradition, celebrating the profound impact of Watson’s music, values, and Appalachian roots.

The 2025 concert will feature performances from:

• Hayley King
• Tim Stafford & Thomm Jutz
• The Asheville Mountain Boys

Hayley King, originally from Blythewood, South Carolina, began playing violin at the age of 7 before transitioning to fiddle at age 10. She studied traditional music at Morehead State University in Kentucky and is currently pursuing a graduate degree in speech-language pathology at Appalachian State University. King’s performance will also feature Daniel Sherrill on banjo and Jeremy Ferrell on guitar—two musicians known for their tasteful accompaniment and strong roots in Appalachian music traditions.

Tim Stafford is one of bluegrass’s most prolific and respected songwriters, with over 300 recorded songs to his name. A founding member of the Grammy-winning band Blue Highway, Stafford has been named IBMA Songwriter of the Year three times (2014, 2017, and 2023). In addition to his powerful songwriting, he is a highly regarded studio guitarist, having recorded with artists including Willie Nelson and Kenny Chesney.

Thomm Jutz, a 2021 IBMA Songwriter of the Year and four-time nominee, brings a global perspective to American roots music. Raised in Germany’s Black Forest, Jutz has written numerous bluegrass chart-toppers, and his songs—often focused on mill workers, folk heroes, and historical themes—have been recorded by the likes of John Prine, Nanci Griffith, and Billy Strings.

The Asheville Mountain Boys are a hard-driving group with a mission to honor the spirit and authenticity of traditional bluegrass. Rooted in Asheville’s deep musical history—where Bill Monroe’s Bluegrass Boys first broadcast in 1938—the band combines emotional storytelling with dynamic instrumentation. Featuring John Duncan (banjo), Zeb Gambill (mandolin), Jacob Brewer (bass/vocals), and Marshal Brown (guitar/vocals), the group is quickly gaining recognition for their high-energy live recordings and thoughtful revival of classic bluegrass songs.

These artists, together, embody the values and sounds Doc Watson helped bring to the forefront of American music.

“Doc Watson not only inspired generations of musicians across the world—he also shaped the musical identity of Boone and the High Country,” said Brandon Holder, Cultural Resources Coordinator for the Town of Boone. “Doc Watson Day is our way of saying thank you and sharing that legacy with the community.”

Concertgoers are encouraged to bring lawn chairs, blankets, and picnic fare to enjoy the performances under the shade trees. Alcoholic beverages are permitted for guests of legal drinking age, but open containers must remain on the Jones House property.

Free parking is available in all downtown Boone metered spaces and public lots after 5:00 PM, making it easy to enjoy the concert and explore downtown before or after the show.

The fun will continue on Saturday, August 16, when the Appalachian Theatre of the High Country presents Dan Tyminski in concert. For tickets and more information, visit apptheatre.org.

The 2025 Doc Watson Day celebration is presented by the Town of Boone and sponsored by the Downtown Boone Development Association (DBDA), Omega Tees Screen Printing and Embroidery, Mast General Store, ECRS, Melanie’s Food Fantasy, and Stick Boy Bread Company.

For more details about Doc Watson Day, visit www.joneshouse.org/docday.