The Dobro™ is a beautiful, lyrical, and haunting instrument. Invented in the 1920’s, the Dobro™ was originally produced by only one company: the Dobro Manufacturing Company.
As the instrument slowly gathered a following, several other companies began to produce them: National Resophonic, Saga Musical Instruments, and Scheerhorn. Gibson guitars now owns the Dobro™ brand name and defends the term “Dobro” for marketing purposes. The term “resophonic” is now used to describe this style of guitar.
The sound of the resophonic guitar is today ingrained into American music through artists like Earl Scruggs, Johnny Cash, Alison Krauss and Union Station, and even the soundtrack work of T Bone Burnett. As the resophonic’s popularity has risen, the level of expertise has also risen. Today, there are quite a few top-notch players. Here’s a look at the top 25 resophonic players out there:
Note: Be sure to check the comments below for more suggested players.
The Top 25 Dobro Players
In alphabetical order:
1. Mike Auldridge (1938 – 2012)
A legendary player, founding member of the band The Seldom Scene, and an influence on following generations of dobro players.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mike_Auldridge
2. Johnny Bellar
A brilliant, prolific player; does a lot of session work.
3. Greg Booth
A veteran player, Youtube hit, and regular instructor at Rob Icke’s ResoSummit.
4. Bob Brozman
Resophonic player, producer, and author with an emphasis on world musical influences.
5. Curtis Burch
Was part of the New Grass Revival in the 70’s; also a great guitarist.
www.flatpik.com/instructors/curtis-burch
6. Billy Cardine
An active session player and producer with a long string of credits.
7. Cindy Cashdollar
8. Jerry Douglas
Considered the best resophonic player in the world, he’s definitely the most well-known with 13 Grammy’s and a long list of big name gigs.
9. Josh Graves (1927 – 2006)
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Josh_Graves
10. Martin Gross
Great German reso player.
11. Rob Ickes
A prodigy with an extensive knowledge of bluegrass and jazz; his instructional videos first got me playing reso.
12. Andy Hall
Resophonic player from the Infamous Stringdusters
artistworks.com/dobro-lessons-andy-hall
13. Jimmy Heffermnan
A Nashville session player; also works as a sideman and producer.
www.jimmyheffernan.net
14. Orville Johnson
A player, instructor, and author.
15. Pete “Bashful Brother Oswald” Kirby (1911-2002)
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bashful_Brother_Oswald
16. Phil Leadbetter
17. Lloyd Maines
18. Stacy Philllips
A great resophonic player, fiddle player and instructor.
19. Ivan Rosenberg
An award-winning bluegrass player with numerous songs in TV and film.
www.ivanrosenberg.com
20. Josh Swift
https://www.facebook.com/joshswiftmusician/
21. Tut Taylor
A veteran player; known widely for using a flat pick on the instrument rather than finger picks.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tut_Taylor
22. Sally Van Meter
A great reso player leading the contemporary bluegrass music scene.
www.facebook.com/pages/Sally-Van-Meter/55594339223
23. Lou Wamp
According to Ivan Rosenberg, “Lou Wamp is the best dobro player you never heard of.”
www.louwamp.com
24. Mike Witcher
25. Gene Wooten (1953 – 2001)
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gene_Wooten
Did we miss anyone? Put ’em in the comments below!
FYI: I’ve also written a post on the beginner’s gear that got me started with Dobro. It’ll give you a sense of the basic equipment necessary to get going.
Curtis Loew, of course. The finest picker to ever play the blues.
Thanks for the suggestion, Sean!
Megan Lovell from Larkin Poe is very adept on steel guitar, pedal steel and dobro. The group is now more rock/blues than blue grass/country but their sound is amazing!
Thanks for the suggestion!
Kenny Haddock one of the first DOBRO players! Played a Norwood Chimes Resophonic guitar. look it up if you can
Curtis lowe
How is Randy Kohrs not in the top 20, and not even mentioned? He’s arguably the best to ever put his hands on one!
HORSE HOCKEY. I do not see Josh Swift’s name in this list.
But thanks for adding it here!
There are some very important facts that must be mentioned concerning the innovations of master dobro artist Josh Graves. Without Josh I’m not sure where the modern dobro players would be. Josh adapted his updated fingerpick style and rolls from Earl Scruggs and added a LOT of blues to his style because he truly loved the blues. EVERY modern dobro player owes a debt of gratitude to Josh Graves and Jerry Douglas has paid tribute to Josh on many occasions. To my ear almost all modern dobro players play in a style that originated with the true master, Josh Graves. I was fortunate enough to work with Josh playing rhythm guitar and singing for about a year and a half after he began his solo career. Another very fine player in the same vein is Tim Graves, Josh’s nephew. Josh taught Tim to play and he learned extremely well. Tim Graves should be on anyones list of great players!! Please give credit where it’s due.
I can’t believe no one has mentioned Greg Booth. He’s an ace. Joe Morris.
Definitely JACK MARTIN!
Josh Swift from Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver is a fantastic player too!
Bob Cline 5 time winner “Dobro player of the year” SPBGMA
Umy and the Goodtimers https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/8b244b19b40ba00e591d592c8f98266545c21fe0df73707426dcb3df2c81a9fd.jpg
For Johnny Bellar, you might want to change brillian to brilliant so that it’s spelled correctly!
May be too mainstream for you folks, but love the sound of Dobro by Lindsey Buckingham on Rumours Album
Where are Phil Leadbetter and his son Matt on this list. Phil is two time IBMA Dobro Player of the Year, while Matt is a comer……
i was just gonna mention both those gentlemen Ted Lehmann …. they are two of the best in bluegrass for sure!
David Dias Fret Magazine early
80’s
present Laurel Canyon Ramblers with Herb Peterson
The late Dave Giegerich deserves to be in this list. Both Mike Auldridge and Josh Graves were amazed at Dave’s musicality with a bar in his hand. Take a listen for yourself: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FrXjeBhuaiM
Cindy is so great! what about Donnie Herron, Bucky Baxter and the late Rory Gallagher?
Sorry but Bob Brozman passed away in 2013…
Where would you rank Tom Swatzell? I aske because our museum has a small display on him.
One of five people selected for Gibson’s Artist Signature Series Dobros and author of several instruction manuals including at least 4 for Mel Bay. I would think any Top 20 List without Mr. Swatzell would be dubious.
There was a female dobro player on the folk/bluegrass festival circuit mid90s. I saw her at port Townsend around 1998-99. Any idea who she is/was? Thanks
Hmmm, not sure. Cindy Cashdollar?
Junior Barber, Roger Williams and Mike Esposito
Brent Burke.. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ELTwHz79eQ
Josh Swift…. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SsNx5Nk-Fcc
Gaven Largent.. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rSyYYQhiwjo
Hey Stian, thanks for the suggestions and the videos. These guys are great!
wooooo!
What about Phil Ledbetter in Tennessee?
Hey,
Thanks, yes, Phil Ledbetter is amazing. Joseph (in the comments below) specifically mentions “When the Roll is Called Up Yonder” on THE NEXT MOVE album as being amazing.
What about Michigan resonator players, Joe Wilson (of Steppin’ In It) and Drew Howard (multi-instrumentalist out of Lansing, MI). These two were single-handedly my initial influences on the resonator guitar and the reasons for which I’ve been playing for the last almost 9 years! Though they may not be world renowned, they should certainly be checked out! That “Huggy Bear” character from Lindsay Lou & the Flatbellys (www.lindsayloumusic.com) isn’t too shabby either 😉
Awesome, thanks for the links. I need to check these guys out, haven’t listened to them before.
And album cover : )
Don’t forget Jack Martin. He played for Lester Flatt and The Nashville Grass back in the ’70s. He’s still playing today and is one of the best in my book!
Hey Shelley, thanks for adding him to the list!
No discussion is complete without Phil Leadbetter, IBMA Dobro Player of the Year and 2X cancer warrior! His haunting “When the Roll is Called Up Yonder” on THE NEXT MOVE is so touching and it stands out, even tho the album is filled with great music and collaborations with guest artists. This one song, one man, one instrument is simple and compelling.
With all due respects to the great slide player David Lindley, of whom I’m a big fan, I don’t believe he’s known as a resophonic player. While I’m sure he can play the heck out of a “dobro”, he rarely if ever does in public, so perhaps he doesn’t belong on this particular list?
In addition to M Witcher and C Cashdollar, who are mentioned by other commentors, I would consider Lloyd Maines, and Greg Booth.
Thanks for the article!
Hey Sean,
Thanks, you’re right. When I was researching this list, I was also looking at Weissenborn players, of whom David Lindley is one (Ed Gerhard is another awesome Weissenborn player). But when I narrowed the list to strictly dobro players, I probably should’ve taken Lindley out.
And thanks for the suggestions on Lloyd Maines and Greg Booth!
Jesse
There is also Chad Jeffers who is with Carrie Underwood now and Chad Graves of The Hillbenders
How about Anders Beck of Greensky Bluegrass?
Hey Ron,
Thanks, I just checked out the Greensky Bluegrass site, they sound great. And does Anders Beck play the lap steel on Track 2, “Handguns”? I don’t see the credit in their band page, but I’m guessing it’s him.
Jesse
I’m sure it’s him.
Anders is a hoss! On Handguns, the title track, that’s Captain Midnight (Drew Howard) on pedal steel. You can hear Anders still shredding on dobro on the track though too.
Serious omission: MIke Witcher. Plays with the Peter Rowan Band, longtime Nashville session musician, teaches annually at Rob Ickes’ Reso Summit, author of two dobro instruction manuals.
See more in his biography at http://mikewitcher.com/about-mike/
Hey Douglas,
Yes! Mike Witcher needs to be on this list! And I’m a big fan of Rob Ickes as well. I used his instructional material to get started on the resonator. Thanks,
Jesse
Hey Douglas,
Yes! Mike Witcher needs to be on this list! And I’m a big fan of Rob Ickes as well. I used his instructional material to get started on the resonator. Thanks,
Jesse
I’d suggest adding Cindy Cashdollar to the list
Hey Steve,
Thanks for the suggestion. You’re right she does some great stuff. There’s a nice video of her playing Oh Susanna… https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RDQ-Z19zgzw. Looks like she also has some educational material, too.
Jesse
Hey Steve,
Thanks for the suggestion. You’re right she does some great stuff. There’s a nice video of her playing Oh Susanna… https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RDQ-Z19zgzw. Looks like she also has some educational material, too.
Jesse
Sounds great
Luboš Novotný of Druhá Tráva should be ranked high in the list.
Hey Ken,
Thanks for the suggestion. I just checked out Luboš Novotný on YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U7dTJ1-s02s) and you’re right, he’s great! Thanks,
Jesse
Did Loyd Green play the dobro.