ResoGat celebrated its 25th year last week, July 8-12, at the Holiday Inn Express in Wilkesboro, NC to celebrate the resophonic guitar. The congregation meets in Wilkesboro on the first Wednesday after the fourth of July. This year, ResoGat remembered Pammy Davis Lassiter, who passed away in January. Pammy served as emeritus director of ResoGat for many years and was a tireless and integral part of the planning committee. She worked to make the event an enjoyable, memorable, and fun experience for all involved, from beginner to pro. She attended the first Dopyera Gathering (the original ResoGat) in 2001 and was intrumental in relocating ResoGat from Pennsylvania to North Carolina.
Larry Klein, facilitator for the event, explained its origin.
“This gathering of resonator/resophonic guitar players, collectors and enthusiasts was started by John Dopyera, son of one of the inventors of the resonator guitar, originally simply called ‘DoBro,’ this name representing a contraction of the name of the Czechoslovakian immigrant brothers who invented the instrument in the early 1900’s [Dopyera Brothers].
To make a long and fascinating history of this truly American instrument very short, the sound has become incredibly important and influential in American music, contributing to blues, country, bluegrass, folk and rock and roll genres. In 2004, the gathering of resonateurs [ResoGat] moved from John Dopyera’s farm in Pennsylvania to Wilkesboro, North Carolina.”
Klein then expounded on this year’s ResoGat.
“In 2026, the 25th year of celebration, again brought over 100 players of many different styles from many different locations to western North Carolina. While the tradition was strongly maintained, the event was bittersweet in that it was the first time the Emeritus Director, Pammy Lassiter, was not in attendance as we mourned her passing earlier this year. It would be very difficult to overestimate the influence Pammy had on this event, on ‘Dobro’ music, and on her numerous activities in music and beyond. Her kind nature, organizational skills, and above all her mentorship of young people were exemplary, and her contributions will remain for years to come. Her husband, Big T, remains heavily involved in ResoGat.
ResoGat is a free event, and traditionally has featured workshops, concerts, jam sessions, visits to local assisted living centers to perform, and many reunions of friends with a love for the resophonic guitar. A very important aspect is the annual awarding by invitation of the Honoree Award to someone who has made invaluable contributions to the development of the resophonic guitar.
This year’s award went to Roger Williams, who came with Amy Gallatin and featured his amazing playing and singing, supported by Amy’s fantastic vocals and guitar playing. Roger has been a key player in the Northeast scene since 1963, having debuted with the legendary Lilly Brothers and Don Stover at the Hillbilly Ranch in Boston.”
Born into a musical family, Roger started playing the dobro as teenager in 1963. Within the first year, he had already debuted with The Lilly Brothers & Don Stover. He has performed and/or recorded with many well-respected, national and international bluegrass and folk acts. He participated in thirteen overseas tours with various artists, including a performance at the acclaimed Dobrofest in Slovakia. He currently does extensive studio work and performs with Amy Gallatin & Stillwaters.
Big T shared…
“The honoree and his wife were excellent. Our concerts were maybe the best ever. Three groups went to rest homes Saturday to entertain the residents. Over 150 people attended with over 100 dobros.
I took all of Pammy’s musical stuff and was able to raise $900 for the Pammy Lassiter dobro scholarship at ETSU. Also by coincidence, Friday night the Tarheel Traveler featured ResoGat which focused on Pammy.”
Klein concluded, “We anticipate next year’s ResoGat to occur on July 7-11, 2027 at the Holiday Inn Express in Wilkesboro, NC.”
For more information, visit ResoGat online. To sign up for the email list, send name and contact information to: [email protected].
