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Resonateurs honor Krise, dobro pioneer
by Charles S. Williams
(Photo caption) CHARLES S. WILLIAMS/STAFF PHOTO-SNAKE AND THE RATTLERS-Snake Harris (right) and the Rattlers were among the groups playing Friday night at a dobro concert which was part of the "Gathering of the Resonateurs."
A Friday night concert at Wilkes Community College was the highlight of the annual "Gathering of the Resonateurs" in Wilkesboro. The concert at the Pit Auditorium was sponsored by the Wilkes Acoustic Folk Society.
George "Speedy" Krise, 86, who is recognized as the first musician to play a dobro, or resonator guitar, on a commercial bluegrass recording in the early 1950s, was presented with a plaque and framed resolution from the resonateurs after he performed Friday night. The group designated Friday as “Speedy Krise Day” at the four-day gathering.
Krise was a musician for singer Carl Butler when he recorded with the dobro for Capitol Records. He stopped performing over 50 years ago in order to spend more time with his family. He now lives in Portsmouth, Va.
The concert showcased dobro players and musicians who attended “ResoGat,” which was headquartered at the Holiday Inn Express in Wilkesboro.
25 percent growth
Pammy Davis of Pleasant Garden, one of the organizers of ResoGat, said that the event enjoyed a 25 percent growth this year.
“We had about 150 people here,” she said, “and 90 of them are dobro players. We were able to play this year at the Hometown Opry (on Friday morning, in North Wilkesboro), so that was a thrill. Also, we are delighted this year to be able to honor Speedy. He is a true pioneer.”
She added that “the gasoline prices didn’t seem to affect us. We’ve had a lot of new people along with many returning faces. A lot of folks have been to all four Gatherings we’ve had here in Wilkes.”
The organizers of the event gathered merchandise valued at $5,000 to be given away as door prizes during a Saturday night dinner. Mrs. Davis said, “We appreciate the support of our friends, musicians, dobro players and local merchants for their support. We hope to return to Wilkesboro again next year.”
Keith Watts, a board member of the local acoustic folk society, said Friday night, “concerts like this help us fulfill our mission. This event has an educational aspect to it, but it is also about pure enjoyment of the music. We are glad to be a partner in this event. There are a lot of guitar players here as well, so this is about more than just dobros.”
The Wilkesboro Tourism Development Authority helped to recruit the annual event to Wilkesboro.
The Wilkes Acoustic Folk Society sponsors the gandy dance jam sessions held most Friday nights at the former Southern Railway depot in North Wilkesboro.
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