A founding member of the influential folk band Old Crow Medicine Show, Watson played a pivotal role in the 21st-century folk revival. He embodies the classic folk singer persona—a singer, storyteller, and traveler with a repertoire that seamlessly connects the past and present. NPR has praised Watson, stating, “As a solo artist, Watson has dug ever deeper into plainspoken roots and traditional folk music, with a sound cleanly rooted in the past, but his songs are too vibrant to feel like museum pieces.” Get a feel for Willie’s style and listen to “Gallows Pole,” “Midnight Special,” and “Mexican Cowboy.”
Watson is gearing up for the release of his forthcoming album, his first new release since 2017’s acclaimed Folksinger Vol. 2. PopMatters described it as “a collection of unvarnished, rootsy folk music like we’ve come to expect of Watson,” noting that he “once again establishes himself as a fine interpreter of song.”
