Since the beginning, the people of the college and I have agreed that the music of MerleFest is 'traditional plus.'

In 1991 Gallagher customized a personal cutaway guitar for Watson that he played until his death and which he referred to as "Donald" in honor of Gallagher guitar's second generation proprietor and builder Don Gallagher. The collection titled Milestones features 94 songs as well as stories remembrances and over 500 photographs. " Watson proved to be a natural musical talent and within months was performing on local street corners playing songs from the Delmore Brothers Louvin Brothers and Monroe Brothers alongside his brother Linny.

Arthel Lane "Doc" Watson (March 3 1923 – May 29 2012) was an American guitarist songwriter and singer of bluegrass folk country blues and gospel music. Watson's flatpicking skills and knowledge of traditional American music are highly regarded.