Ketch Secor
From an early age, Ketch Secor carried a deep love for music, and by eighteen he was already setting out on a lifelong journey as a musician. Over the years, he has often spoken of his enduring admiration for Doc Watson and the Watson family. At the 2024 MerleFest, Ketch and Willie Watson shared a treasured memory of being discovered on the streets of Boone, NC, by Nancy Watson, who then brought her father, Doc, to hear them play.
Ketch is no stranger to Gallagher guitars. Both he and Old Crow Medicine Show have been supporters since the rebirth of Gallagher Guitar Co., and it’s common to see that iconic “G” shining from the stage alongside their spirited performances.
In 2025, Ketch released his first solo album, The Story the Crow Told Me, to both critical and fan acclaim. This record—playful, insightful, and autobiographical—takes listeners on a musical journey and is available on vinyl and all formats. That same year, Ketch also stepped into the role of host for Tennessee Crossroads. With his gift for storytelling, it’s a role that suits him perfectly.
Meanwhile, Old Crow Medicine Show continues to push their creative boundaries. Their eighth studio LP, Jubilee, serves as a companion piece to 2022’s Paint This Town. Opening with the rousing “Ballad of Jubilee Jones,” an anthem of resilience for working people, the album shifts into tender territory with “Miles Away”—co-written with Molly Tuttle and featuring guest vocals from Willie Watson. “We hadn’t recorded with Willie in 12 years, and it made sense to bring him back for a song that has to do with seeing old friends again,” Secor shared.
“In a lot of people’s minds folk music seems to be relegated to a place of supposed purity, but we’ve always wanted our folk music to be the soundtrack to real living rather than something stuck behind the glass in a museum,” says Ketch. As Ketch reveals, Old Crow’s boundless passion for imbuing a timely vitality into traditional music has played a major part in the band’s longevity. “Being the type of songwriters and performers that we’ve always been, we tend toward the topical material and what’s going on right now—the issues currently faced by our species, our country, our beloved Southlands,” he says. Indeed, Ketch makes contributions to his community in many ways including social causes, education, and youth.
Gallagher Guitar Co. is honored to support the music of Old Crow Medicine Show and to count them as friends. Ketch owes a Gallagher Parlor-50. The band also has a Doc Watson model, of course, and a Gallagher Maple Jumbo.
