An UnEarthed Gem: Bryan Sutton and Doc Watson’s Spontaneous “Working Man Blues”
By Christian Lamitschka for Country Music News International Magazine
The release of “Working Man Blues” by Bryan Sutton featuring the legendary Doc Watson is more than just a single—it’s a historical event for acoustic music fans. This track, which leads the serial release of Sutton’s ambitious new guitar duet series, From Roots to Branches, unearths a treasured, never-before-heard collaboration with one of his own six-string heroes. It is a moment of spontaneous genius captured forever on tape, celebrating the genius and relaxed friendship of two of American music’s greatest flatpickers.
The Artists: A Master and a Mentor
Bryan Sutton: The Acoustic A-Lister
There may not be another acoustic guitar player quite like Bryan Sutton. A veteran of countless recording sessions, the western North Carolina native has become one of Nashville’s most sought-after instrumentalists. His signature touch and tone have graced the music of millions, from Garth Brooks and Taylor Swift to Carrie Underwood, Blake Shelton, and Luke Combs.
Yet, amid his mainstream success, Sutton has quietly maintained a devotional following in the demanding world of bluegrass, newgrass, folk, and swing flatpicking. His credentials are unparalleled: by his 20th anniversary in Music City, he had accumulated 10 International Bluegrass Music Association Guitar Player of the Year trophies—more than any other recipient in the award’s 35-year history. After starting his career contributing to Ricky Skaggs’ bluegrass revival, Sutton transitioned from road life to studio royalty, all while releasing acclaimed solo albums and sharing his knowledge with thousands of students online. His latest high-profile collaboration was the 2025 release Live at the American Legion with younger-generation ambassador Billy Strings.
Doc Watson: The Folk Icon
Doc Watson (1923–2012) is, simply put, an American music legend. Known for his staggering flatpicking technique and warm, authentic approach to folk, bluegrass, blues, and country music, Doc was a tireless musical explorer. As Sutton recalls, “You never knew what you were going to get with Doc Watson outside of fiddle tunes and bluegrass and folk ballads and things like that… from Crystal Gayle songs and ‘Nights in White Satin’ through all that ‘Docabilly’ stuff and swing tunes.” This spirit of musical curiosity and versatility is perfectly encapsulated in this unearthed track.
The Track: Spontaneous Genius
“Working Man Blues” is the opening entry in Sutton’s new From Roots to Branches series, which follows up his epochal 2006 duets album, Not Too Far From the Tree. While the original album featured mentors and peers like Tony Rice, the new series broadens the vision to include “more players of my generation, or even younger,” while also revealing gems like this one.
The recording itself happened spur-of-the-moment about 20 years ago. Sutton vividly remembers the moment: “He just launched into ‘Working Man Blues,’ out of nowhere,” referring to the classic Merle Haggard blue-collar anthem. It was a performance so immediate and intense that Sutton’s only thought was, “I hope I got all that, I hope the tape didn’t run out!”
This intimate reading of the song reveals a third, unexpected strand to the From Roots to Branches tapestry—collaborations with heroes of Sutton’s six-string education. It captures the relaxed friendship between the two masters and, of course, a “boatload of signature picking.” The track is an organic, one-take wonder, with the two trading solos between Doc Watson’s warmly wry delivery of Haggard’s verses.
“It’s all one take! I’ll forever cherish the time I had with Doc,” Sutton notes.
Doc’s delight is evident at the conclusion of the recording, where he chuckles, “I just had to pick that one time and hear what you did to it.” This moment, and the entire recording, serves as a powerful reminder of Doc Watson’s deep appreciation for Merle Haggard’s work and his unpredictable, genre-crossing spirit.
Conclusion: A Timeless Collaboration
This collaboration is a spectacular curtain-raiser for the From Roots to Branches series, which is set to feature a stunning assortment of new-generation pickers alongside musical conversations with friends from beyond bluegrass. “Working Man Blues” is a beautiful testament to the power of shared musical passion, capturing a unique and unrepeatable moment in time. For fans of Bryan Sutton, Doc Watson, or acoustic guitar music in general, this recording is mandatory listening—it is a window into the camaraderie and towering talent of two flatpicking icons.