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.

Dick been a one man PR man for the Dobro in the Northeast for over fifty years, as well as mentor, teacher, and all around inspiration.  Dick is a gifted artist on more than just Dobro.

He designed the art work for the 2013 Resonator Guitar gathering in Wilkesboro, NC. It is with great pleasure that we honor Dick this year.

Russ is a Baltimore legend having played for more than 60 years. He started playing with local musicians in the early 50's. Russ was influenced by Speedy Krise, Bill Carver, Shot Jackson and Buck Graves and was one of the first players in the area to become proficient with the Graves style. 

              Click here for Chuck Hatfield's great interview with Russ.

Dick has been a fixture on the New York Bluegrass scene for more tha 30 years.  He not only is a great player but a great builder as well. Dick has built more than 350 Resonator Guitars over the years.  These beautiful instrument are in the hands of musicians all over the world.

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

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. . .stretching the stylistic limits of his instrument"  (Dirty Linen magazine). Stacy is the author of more than 25 books and DVD's on various aspects of his chosen instruments, including  "The Complete Dobro Player",   "Dobro Techniques and Repertoire" dvd series, and "The Art of Hawaiian Steel Guitar".   They are seen in the music rooms of the world's best string players. Visit his web site at: www.stacyphillips.com

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 names SPBGMA's Dobro player of the year 9 times.

In 2002, Frank Harlow built the first of three of his guitars and Ferrell has played them since.  About 5 years ago Black Diamond asked to create a set of signature strings and it was readily agreed to.  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.  Josh attended the release party and has remained as a cherished memory.

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.

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. Johnny has recorded several national radio commercials and demos for name songwriters. He tours with various artists, as well as working as a session musician. Recently, Johnny was one of four featured performers in two national tours for the "Masters of the Steel String Guitar." Sponsored by the National Council for the Traditional Arts.