Resogat Honorees

rESOGAT hONOREES

Curtis Burch - Honored in 2019

When Curtis was old enough to decide on a particular style of music he choose Bluegrass. His instruments of choice were flattop and resonator guitar. Tut Taylor was an early influence and they became lifelong friends. He honed his skills with local bands and eventually joined Bluegrass Alliance in the early 70’s and later a founding member of New Grass Revival in 1972. Curtis was looking to push the envelope and with New Grass Revival was able to help introduce Bluegrass to a new generation of fans. Curtis is perfectionist when it comes to instrument tone, and has always looked for ways to improve on what an instrument sounds like. In 1981, after ten plus years of traveling, Curtis decided to leave the Revival band. He has performed as a backup musician with many artists, and traveled with Leon Russell and the late John Hartford.

Johnny Bellar - Honored in 2018

Johnny Bellar is a virtuoso performer on resophonic and lap steel guitars. Within a year of his 1973 graduation from high school, Johnny entered and won his first dobro competition. Watching his performance was a friend of the legendary Stoneman Family. Within two weeks Johnny was performing with the group.For 10 years Johnny toured and recorded with The Stonemans appearing on the Grand Ole Opry, “Hee Haw”, “Nashville Now” and the “Ralph Emery Show”. In 1984. Johnny became an original member of The New Tradition followed by Slim Whitman’s Australian tour in 1989. He has performed numerous times at the Bluebird Café and other popular Nashville music spots, and was a musician at Opryland, USA. Boxcar Willie and Tommy Cash are among the artists Johnny has recorded with on albums spanning a musical spectrum from children’s music to bluegrass, traditional country, classical and gospel.

Bev King - Honored in 2017

Bev got her first Dobro in May, 1967 at age 12 and recorded her first Dobro instrumental LP record in April, 1971. She was the first female Dobro player to record an all Dobro instrumental album. After the initial recording she followed up with 9 more over the years. Two of those albums were recorded with Bashful Brother Oswald. At that time there was a need for Dobro instructional material and she wrote “Country and Bluegrass Dobro” and followed up later with two tablature books. In 1974 she began publication of “Dobro Nut” which was later renamed to “Resophonic Echoes” in 1976 and the name eventually settled on “Country Heritage” in 1982. Her first public performance was on Alex Campbell’s radio show in 1970. Afterward she performed with Ola Belle Reed before starting to work with Joe Knight in 1979. She continued to perform on stage and radio afterward. In 1994 Bev moved to Clarkville, AR. Bev opened a music shop in a remodeled house and eventually outgrew the building.

Ferrell Stowe - Honored in 2016

When Ferrel heard Josh Graves for the first time that sound grabbed his heart and would not let go. Being the the only Dobro player in the Midwest for many years Ferrell played festivals in Missouri, Kansas, Oklahome, Illinois, Arkansas and Iowa along with hundreds of recording sessions. Ferrell was named SPBGMA's Dobro player of the year 9 times. After moving to the Nashville area Ferrell did a tour with Jim Lauterdale which took him to Merlefest and to the stage of the Grand Old Opry. He has played at the Station Inn amny times. In 2006 Ferrell became friends with Josh Graves and released Stobro Blues the same year.

Stacy Phillips - Honored in 2015

Stacy Phillips is a self-taught, internationally acclaimed resonator guitarist and violin player. He has performed with Mark O'Connor, Bela Fleck, Leon Redbone, Judy Collins, and many other top acoustic musicians in the world. Stacy has three solo albums and is featured artist on the Grammy award-winning album The Great Dobro Sessions. He has been called " one of the hottest pickers around" (Guitar Player magazine), " a totally fluid, totally present practitioner of American roots musics " (The Klezmer Shack), an "outrageously delightful dobro player" (Bluegrass Unlimited), and " a resonator guitar virtuoso.

Mike Esposito - Honored in 2013

Mike ranks among the finest country/blues guitarists. His powerful instrumental chops and passionate vocal style testify to his virtuosity. Mike, playing Dobro and National steel guitar, founded The Lost World String Band which earned international recognition. The group toured the United States and Europe and shared stages with some of the brightest names in the music business, including Doc Watson, Asleep At The Wheel, The Ventures, the father of bluegrass, Bill Monroe, Peter Rowan, John Hartford, The Whites and many more.

Bobby Wolfe - Honored in 2010

Bobby Wolfe is a resophonic guitar pioneer and innovator. One of the early builders, he has made outstanding resophonic guitars for many years and is considered one of the true experts on this type of guitar. His Wolfe ported design is unique and highly regarded among players. In addition to building, he has written a number of articles on the subject in Bluegrass Unlimited magazine and published a book of interviews with four of the leading players of this instrument today: Jerry Douglas, Tut Taylor, Mike Auldridge, and Josh Graves.

Tut Taylor - Honored in 2009

Tut is a legendary Reso player having recorded with many of the biggest names in Bluegrass and Country. His self taught flatpicking Dobro style has become his trademark and the foundation of Tut's unique sound. From his association with legends such as John Hartford, Vassar Clements and Roy Acuff he has been a mainstay in Bluegrass and old time country for a very long time. Tut can still be seen jammin' and sharing personal stories and insights. He now resides in the foothills of the Blue Ridge mountains of North Carolina and follows his own advice to "Just pick and keep pickin' it".