In 2023, BGS was invited to Bryan Sutton’s Blue Ridge Guitar Camp in Brevard, North Carolina. Sutton is one of the most prominent proselytizers for Doc Watson in the 21st century, so it’s no surprise his annual camp just up the mountains from Watson’s hometown of Deep Gap is usually dripping with Doc’s music.

That year, BGS co-founder Ed Helms was on the lineup for the Blue Ridge Guitar Camp, too. Helms also happens to own one of Doc’s most famous guitars, “Ol’ Hoss,” a 1968 G-50 Gallagher Guitar Watson played in the late ’60s and early ’70s – and on many recordings. It was the first of a few Gallaghers that Doc owned. Helms brought Ol’ Hoss to the camp and BGS was on hand to capture special video performances and interviews with many of the event’s instructors and pickers, each of whom played Doc tunes and shared stories and memories while picking Ol’ Hoss. It was a magical week in the mountains.

Now, for the very first time, we’re making select songs from these tapings available in a new series, the Ol’ Hoss Sessions. Three sessions pulled from the shoot will celebrate our Doc in December series. The first is available today and features camp host and premier flatpicker Bryan Sutton himself.

“This is Doc Watson’s Gallagher Guitar,” Sutton explains to start the video, “the first one he every owned, it’s called ‘Ol’ Hoss.’ This guitar really showcases for me, when I hold it, the evenness in Doc’s sound. You could hear every note that he played. Any guitar I play, I’m looking for what the guitar can do. And I already kinda know with this one. It’s kinda neat to feel that, in my own hands.”

No matter who picked up Ol’ Hoss that week, they agreed: it was surreal and very special to hold Doc’s guitar. A once in a lifetime feeling. Sutton continues, picking “Whistling Rufus,” a traditional fiddle tune in the bluegrass and old-time canons that was a common selection by Watson and many other guitarists and musicians in roots music. This simple solo rendition played on Ol’ Hoss translates the magic of the instrument and Doc Watson’s influence across time.

Stay tuned as we share more Ol’ Hoss Sessions right here on BGS and on our YouTube channel throughout the month.

Video Credits: I Know We Should, Brad Wagner and Juan Soria.