Nov 6, 2024 at 8:00 PM · Tractor Tavern, Seattle, WA Tractor Tavern, Seattle, WA · $45 Tickets from $45
Willie Watson
28 concerts
Genre: Folk, Traditional Folk
Soon before Willie Watson turned 18, he met God in an apple orchard. Or at the very least, he met there a man named Ruby Love, the older friend of a high-school buddy who had an enormous Martin guitar and a seemingly bigger understanding of the American folk songbook.
Watson was existentially thirsty: A high-school dropout from upstate New York's Finger Lakes, he was fast on his way to his first heartbreak and in a first band that didn’t take itself seriously enough. But that night in an apple orchard that had always seemed magical, at a graduation party for one of his bandmates and best friends, Watson and Love sang a few of those old songs together—Worried Man Blues and Tennessee Waltz.
It was the first time Watson had cried while singing, the first time he had made the connection between making music and making sense of his life. He never saw Ruby Love again, but within months of that foundational 1997 rendezvous, he met the musicians with whom he'd soon start Old Crow Medicine Show. Call it revelation, fate, resurrection, whatever you will; for Watson, more than a quarter-century later, it was a duet with the divine.
As told in the talking-gospel masterpiece Reap 'em in the Valley, that scene is the transfixing finale of Watson’s self-titled debut as a songwriter and as a human at last making music to make sense of his life. Yes, Watson has released two albums since he left Old Crow Medicine Show a dozen years ago and since his long-term collaborations with David Rawlings and Gillian Welch. But those records, both titled Folk Singer, were sets of tunes he knew, interpretations of the songbook he has diligently mined since even before that night in the apple orchard.
At 44, however, he feels that Willie Watson is his first-ever true album, having finally lived and lost and simply witnessed enough to know he has something to sing with his exquisite rural tenor. Watson has not abandoned those old songs entirely. He dazzles during a robust take on the forever-curious Mole in the Ground and treats Harris and the Mare, the standard of tragic Canadian singer Stan Rogers, with total tenderness. But by and large, these are his stories of heartbreak and hurt, backlit by the corona of hope that only growth can provide.
This event is 21 and over. Any ticket holder unable to present valid identification indicating that they are at least 21 years of age will not be admitted to this event, and will not be eligible for a refund. Please see the venue's website for their current COVID policy. This ticket is for admission to a live music venue. It provides the holder to observe a musical performance and nothing else. Other goods and services may be purchased once inside the venue. Please note, seating is limited and is available on a first come, first served basis.
tractortavern.com
+1 206-789-3599
5213 Ballard Ave NW, Seattle, WA 98107, USA
Jun 29 · Sat, 9:00 PM
Tractor Tavern - Seattle, WA
Jul 1 · Mon, 7:30 PM
Jul 2 · Tue, 9:00 PM
Jul 3 · Wed, 9:00 PM
Jul 5 · Fri, 9:00 PM
Jul 8 · Mon, 8:00 PM
Jul 12 · Fri, 8:00 PM
Aug 7 · Wed, 8:00 PM
Aug 10 · Sat, 8:00 PM
Jun 28 · Fri, 6:30 PM
Madame Lou's - Seattle, WA
Jul 3 · Wed, 8:00 PM
Paramount Theatre - Seattle, WA
Jul 5 · Fri, 8:00 PM
The Crocodile - Seattle, WA
Jul 20 · Sat, 8:00 PM
High Dive - Seattle, WA
Jul 21 · Sun, 8:30 PM
Clock Out Lounge - Seattle, WA
Jul 27 · Sat, 2:00 PM
Aug 1 · Thu, 6:00 PM
Woodland Park Zoo - Seattle, WA
Aug 8 · Thu, 8:30 PM
Aug 15 · Thu, 6:00 PM
Aug 25 · Sun, 8:00 PM
El Corazón - Seattle, WA
1 concert
2 concerts
39 concerts
9 concerts
20 concerts
22 concerts
45 concerts
By clicking “Accept”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyse site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. You can view our privacy policy here. Accept
We use third-party cookies that help us analyze how you use this website, store your preferences, and provide the content and advertisements that are relevant to you. However, you can opt out of these cookies by checking "Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information" and clicking the "Save My Preferences" button. Once you opt out, you can opt in again at any time by unchecking "Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information" and clicking the "Save My Preferences" button.
Don't have an account? Sign Up
Forgot password? Click here
By proceeding, you agree with our Terms of Service, Privacy Policy