The bluegrass guitar master Arthel “Doc” Watson died yesterday at the age of 89.  His death comes almost exactly two months after the passing of the great banjo player Earl Scruggs (88).

Both Scruggs and Watson are known for their invaluable contributions to both bluegrass music and their respective instruments.  Here’s the two of them playing a few tunes together back in the day (it takes a second to get to the music, but it’s worth it):

Though the death of an artist is always accompanied with sadness, the departure of these gentlemen comes after long lives of fantastic music.  Thus, I felt compelled to write this not out of mourning, but as a celebration of two of the greatest figures in American roots music.

Thank you, Doc and Earl.  Rest in peace.