The first PammyFest was held this past Friday and Saturday in West End, NC in memory of one of the state’s most ardent bluegrass music supporters, Pammy Davis Lassiter. Pammy, a dobro player who helped found the Charlotte Folk Music Society, High Lonesome Strings, and Resogat, passed away on January 12, 2026 at the age of 79 after battling multiple health issues. Initially, Pammy and her husband, Rolo “Big T,” were to have hosted a gathering this past weekend to celebrate their 10th wedding anniversary. They had been married on June 11, 2016, in a bluegrass ceremony.
When Pammy, affectionately known as “the Queen” passed, Big T pivoted and changed their anniversary celebration into a memorial bluegrass festival appropriately named PammyFest to honor her legacy in the North Carolina bluegrass community.
In 2014, Pammy became the first and only woman to win first place in the dobro category at the Galax Fiddlers’ Convention. In 2018, she received the annual special award for her contributions to bluegrass music at the Granite Quarry Fiddlers’ Convention near Salisbury, North Carolina. She also established the High Lonesome Strings Bluegrass Festival held annually in May at Hagan-Stone Park in Pleasant Garden, NC, and Pickin’ for Clyde, the weekly Monday night jam held at Circle M City in Sanford, NC.
Her bluegrass family gathered on the beloved grounds of the Lassiters’ home place where they were wed ten years ago to pay tribute to her driving force in the bluegrass industry. Amateur and professional musicians picked on stage and jammed around the premises as they remembered Pammy and her passion for music, even in the sweltering summer heat.
Friday’s lineup included Junior Sisk Band, Big John & Starlett, River Ridge, and several others.
Big John stated after they took the stage, “I sure am glad that sun went down. It’s sure been hot.”
As their set ended, Starlett reminded everyone, “Be more like Pammy.”
Before Junior Sisk sang It’s So Cold Tonight, he admitted, “It’s been hot. We’ll try to cool you down with this song.”
Afterward, Sisk teased, “It’s So Cold Tonight…we’re just big old liars.”
Saturday featured Darin & Brooke Aldridge, Caroline Owens, Steve Dilling & Friends, Denim & Plaid, and others.
Steve Dilling came out of retirement for the day and played rhythm guitar. He was joined by former Sideline members and friends: Bailey Coe-lead guitar, Troy Boone-mandolin, Matt Flake-fiddle, Kyle Windbeck-bass, and Ken Windbeck-banjo. The ensemble played some of Sideline’s biggest hits including IBMA’s 2019 Song of the Year, Thunder Dan, and their gospel number, I Long to See His Face, penned by Rick Lang.
The two-day event with its suggested $30 per day donation benefited High Lonesome Strings Bluegrass Association, East Tennessee State University, the Pammy Davis Lassiter Dobro Scholarship, Still Us Dementia Project, and the Pammy Lassiter Music Pavilion.
Big T shared…
“Well, the music and fellowship have gone from the first PammyFest. The volunteers did an awesome job in very tough conditions, but the heat did not stop the music or the enthusiasm. We ended the night with a house concert in the shed.
Thank you to every person who helped us run the show. My friends know who they are. Thanks to your generosity the Be More Like Pammy Fund has raised more than $8,000. The High Lonesome Strings, ETSU, and the Still Us Dementia Project will benefit from your support. Thanks to everyone that came. We were successful because of you.”
Plans are already underway for a second PammyFest in 2027.
