Musician Doc Watson in critical condition

Watson’s daughter, Nancy, told The Associated Press that the 89-year-old Watson fell on Monday at his home. She said he didn’t break any bones but that he was “real sick.” A spokeswoman at Baptist Hospital in Winston-Salem said Arthel Watson -- Arthel is his legal first name -- was in critical condition on Thursday. The blind singer and guitarist has won several Grammys, including a lifetime achievement award. He also received the National Medal of the Arts. Watson also received the North Carolina Award, the state’s highest civilian award, in 1986. He and his family received a North Carolina Heritage Award in 1986. He’s known as a master of the flatpicking style of guitar playing and for starting Merlefest, an annual gathering of musicians in North Wilkesboro named after his son, a musician who died in a tractor accident in 1985. Doc Watson’s wife of more than 60 years, RosaLee, has been in a nursing home since last year, Nancy Watson said. The two married when she was 15 and he was 23.