| Subject: | [RESOGUIT-L] 4th Annual Gathering of Resonateurs | | Date: | , June 17, 2008 05:40:23 (+0200) | | From: | Pammy <steelmaggie @........com>
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You are cordially invited to join us at the 4th annual Gathering of Resonateurs
'ResoGat 2008' at the Holiday Inn Express in Wilkesboro NC to be held July 9
through the 12th (checking out and heading for home on Sunday the 13th). Get
your reservations in by June 27 at the Holiday Inn Express 336.838.1800 to get
the block room rate of $85 per night. Be sure to reference the Dobro Festival
event.
So who are the Resonateurs and what exactly is the Gathering of Resonateurs, or
ResoGat for short? Well, the quick answer is, we're a loosely knit group of
individuals who are drawn together out a love or fascination for the dobro, or
resonator guitar. Invented and developed in the late 1920's and early 30's, the
five Dopyera brothers presented America and the world with a totally unique
instrument centered around a mechanical resonating sound or amplification system.
The brothers tossed around the question of what to call this new class of
stringed instruments and finally coined the term 'Dobro' which was a combination
of the words DOpyera and BROthers. Following WWII, electrified instruments
appeared and interest in the Dobro subsided somewhat until bluegrass music
appeared. Josh (Buck) Graves converted the Earl Scruggs style of banjo picking
to the dobro and the rest is history as notable players (Mike Auldridge, Jerry
Douglas, Rob Ickes...) made the instrument ...a bunch of 'cone heads ''main
stream' . Knowing the contribution his father had made to the world of music,
John Dopyera and his wife Margaret threw out an open invite for anyone with a
strong interest in the dobro / resonator guitar...luthier, collector, musician,
connoisseur, or ?...to join them at their home in Pennsylvania for a week long
'Gathering in the Woods' during the Fourth of July week of 2000. From this
beginning it has grown every year up to, and including, the recent Annual
Gathering of Resonateurs held at Wilkesboro, NC. Following the 2004 Gathering,
John and Margaret made the hard decision to sell their Pennsylvania wooded
retreat and a committee was formed to see if the Gathering could successfully
transfer and find a new 'home.' The communities of Wilkesboro/N. Wilkesboro
rolled out a 'red carpet' invite to our group which still left us with the
unanswered question..."would people be willing to relocate to a new location some
600 miles from John and Margaret's home?" The pleasant answer was a resounding
'yes'...with over 100 attendees from 20 states and Canada.
So we are proceeding with plans for the 2008 Annual Gathering. It's important
to note that we've intentionally maintained an informal unstructured style to the
event...with the only rule being that there are no rules. All levels of players
are encouraged to attend, whether an early-on beginner or a full up professional.
The main 'requirement' to attend is a desire to become involved with other
devotees of the resonator guitar. Most of the Gathering time is spent in totally
unstructured "fun", jamming, looking at the exhibiters’ wares, sharing ideas.
Here is a description of the activities that occur at the Gathering for the
pickers and non pickers alike. Among these are : Informal Workshops, Jam
sessions, Bingo, Live Radio Show, Jam Sessions, Community Concert, Jam Sessions,
Dinner & Awards, special guest Speedy Krise, Amazing Reso-player Johnny Bellar, Ehibiter Room, door prizes, raffles, group pictures, and let’s not forget .. Jam Sessions !!
The activities schedule will be posted on the big board in the main lobby of the
hotel. We suggest that it be checked often as some schedules may change during
the event. The typical tentative schedule is:
Arrive on Wednesday and jam all day with friends and Johnny Bellar
Special Guest Speedy Krise arrives on Thursday, more jamming, bingo
Friday morning you can play on the Hometown Opry live radio show WKBC
Friday afternoon everyone will get together for the group picture
Friday evening we will put on a concert for the community and a presentation to
honor Speedy Krise
Saturday will include jamming, bingo, and a group dinner in the evening with
door prizes and special awards
In addition to the planned activities the local area has many interesting
attractions, historic sites, shopping and dining opportunities. Those attending
for the first time will find the people of this area to be very friendly and
hospitable. For those of us returning, this is like a homecoming to visit old
friends. The atmosphere of the Gathering has always been very relaxed and
informal. The only rule being - there are no rules. Feel free to join in the jam
sessions or just sit and listen if you prefer. Enjoy the bingo or other
activities as you wish.
We want to say a special thank you to this year’s sponsors. The majority of them
have never attended the gathering but didn't hesitate to help us out when asked.
Please show your gratitude to them and let them know how much you appreciate
their contribution. They are listed on the website’s 2008 Sponsors page. To
date, we have received over $3,000 worth of items donated from the reso community
including a 2008 Reso Gathering custom strap made by Bobby Poff. All these items
will be used for door prizes or raffles.
If you are in the market for a custom made resonator guitar, you will find an
excellent selection from some of the finest luthiers in the world. The sponsors
exhibiting at the 2008 Gathering of Resonateurs at this time are:
Jim Adams
Hobart Beavers
Dick Deneve
Tut Taylor
Hopefully you can plan on joining us at this 2008 Annual Gathering of
Resonateurs. If so, please contact Pammy Davis so she can make names tags for
your party. Please include your address and phone numbers. Don’t forget the June
27 deadline for reserving a room. If you would like to pre-order a Tee-Shirt in
your size, contact Pammy with the quantity and sizes desired by Thursday, June 19
for the pre-order. You do not have to purchase the Tee-Shirt if you do not like
it but if you do, you will be assured of getting your size. Now hurry up and
prepare yourself for a great time with good friends old and new! There is nothing
else like the Gathering so enjoy every minute of it and plan to come back next
year.
Sincerely,
Your 2008 Gathering Of Resonateurs Planning Committee
Pammy Davis, Chair (pammydavis@triad.rr.com or 336.202.1536)
Doug Couts, Don Doggett, Carlene Economy, Larry Maltz, Jim Nagle, Jan Newsom,
Bill Payne, Olivia Wittman
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4th Annual Gatheri
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