double E - Posted - 12/22/2010:  17:02:18

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Hey Sonny! Quick question. What have you sold more of, Maple or Mahoghany Chiefs? Im the proud owner of a maple but always wanted to try out a mahoghany Chief.

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!!!

maurice minger - Posted - 12/23/2010:  07:35:39

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Janet Davis music has a nice looking mahogany Chief for $3295.00 if anyone wants a nice banjo. I have a maple Chief and to me its the best sounding new banjo I ever heard

MERRY CHRISTMAS

JimmieSue - Posted - 12/23/2010:  14:13:41

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quote:

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Originally posted by maurice minger

I have a maple Chief and to me its the best sounding new banjo I ever heard

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LOL I'd say that very same thing about my WALNUT Chief!

Merry Christmas Y'all!

TheChief - Posted - 12/23/2010:  15:16:08

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More Maple by far because that's all we built in the beginning. The Chief satrted in June of 1998 as a direct copy of my 1934 Granada which is Maple. Then Mickey Flatt in Oklahoma wanted a Mahogany. Mind you he had a Maple and liked it, but he wanted a Mahogany which I made for him. It was to be the only one but then a strange thing happened. He liked it better than the Maple so he sold the Maple.
Mickey is a pretty decent banjo player and I knew that he knew what best suited his playing, and he could surely tell the difference. So, I figured I may as well get into it and make available all three. Maple, Mahogany and Walnut.
Consequently, several out there has all three, and a couple have four Chief banjos. The extra one being engraved.

Thank you Mickey.

s

double E - Posted - 12/23/2010:  15:31:47

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Thanks for the reply Sonny!

mahogchief01 - Posted - 12/23/2010:  17:06:49

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Sonny is correct about me wanting the mahogany Chief banjo. My only regret is that I sold the maple one I had. I do hope to have another maple one someday. I do love my mahogany chief banjo and play it 90% of the time. I haven't found anything that beat's a chief banjo except for maybe 5 or 6 original prewar flathead's that I have played. And I still haven't played ANYTHING better than Sonny's old Granada. When you play it and you lay it down, it's as if it look's back at you and say's "Is that all you can do?". I feel honored to have played that banjo on numerous occasion's, but I alway's left feeling like I needed to go back home and practice more.

Let me say here that Sonny Osborne is one of the "good guy's" in the music business. He alway's shoots straight and is as honest as they come. Now, if you are one of those folk's that can't handle an honest answer, then don't ask him..haha. Some folk's seem to want thing's sugar-coated. He's not that kind of guy. That's what I like about him. Straight and to the point. I wish I was alot more like him in that aspect.

If anyone out there is ever in Oklahoma and want's to play my mahogany banjo, just send me an email and I will be more than glad to get with you. I have alway's been a maple guy, and still am at heart, but this particular mahogany banjo really fit's me.

So, go get you all a Chief banjo for Christmas. They are the best out there!!!!!

Merry Christmas.

Mickey Flatt

mahogchief01 - Posted - 12/23/2010:  17:09:09

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Should have read:

So, you all go get a Chief Banjo for .....


Sorry, my grammar isn't what it used to be. ha.

Mickey

Robby Boone - Posted - 12/23/2010:  18:30:33

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Mickey, you're close enough to Arkansas that you can say "you all" hehehehe!
Merry Christmas my friend!

mahogchief01 - Posted - 12/23/2010:  19:37:51

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Robby, we need to get together.....I have a ccccccoooooollllll banjo to show you. Maybe after the holiday's we can come to Springdale. Hope you have a Merry Christmas!

TheChief - Posted - 12/24/2010:  15:32:57

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MERRY CHRISTMAS.

AND THANK YOU ALL FOR BEING GOOD FRIENDS.

Sonny Osborne Banjo Company
P O Box 647
Hendersonville, TN 37077
chiefbanjo@comcast.net
615-824-0096
web site: sonnyosborne.com
"IN GOD WE TRUST"

banjoman69 - Posted - 12/24/2010:  16:17:42

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MERRY CHRISTMAS SONNY AND TO ALL YOU CHIEF OWNERS... AND EVERYONE ELSE AS WELL.

Majorbanjo - Posted - 12/24/2010:  16:58:57

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quote:

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Originally posted by maurice minger

Janet Davis music has a nice looking mahogany Chief for $3295.00 if anyone wants a nice banjo. I have a maple Chief and to me its the best sounding new banjo I ever heard

MERRY CHRISTMAS

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I contacted Janet Davis Music about this banjo......it recently sold to a guy from Japan......Dang it....

apherigo - Posted - 12/24/2010:  17:52:42

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Merry Christmas Chief and Chiefsters!!!

Aaron

John J - Posted - 12/25/2010:  05:12:58

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Merry Christmas Sonny and everyone.

John

Banjo Stan - Posted - 12/25/2010:  06:12:07

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Merry Christmas, Sonny and all the Tribe!
Three different people have given me the same ornament. It's a "Christmas Jamboree"...Banjo playing moose, Santa on Guitar and a penguin doing whatever it is penguins do. It's pretty fun!

Have a great one!

R.C. Stern - Posted - 12/25/2010:  06:35:35

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To Sonny, Steve, Stan (Stan, we missed you at the Banjo Retreat) and all,

I certainly hope you are all having a blessed Christmas.

I have been swamped with work so am behind on what's happening on this thread. But today will be a quiet day except for playing my Chiefs on and off. It's hard to say which I like best. I get a lot of comments on the engraved mahogany - the banjo ,not my playing. I am blessed to have those banjos and also to be able to attend the Banjo Retreat. The Retreat has been the highlight of my year. I will not be able to make it in 2011. I was asked to teach a course in Little Rock. I took a gamble on the weekend and took the wrong one. But I hope to get to NashCamp instead. BTW, I also played Silent Night last night on the violin. Only that song, only on Christmas Eve. I have my grandfather's violin and that was the only time he played it. I do it to remember him.

Have a great new year.

Rick

TheChief - Posted - 12/31/2010:  17:05:36

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2010 has but 5 hours to live.
My Mom was 101 Dec 29.
I'm very thankful she is still with us.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Sonny Osborne Banjo Company
P O Box 647
Hendersonville, TN 37077
chiefbanjo@comcast.net
615-824-0096
web site: sonnyosborne.com
"IN GOD WE TRUST"

El Dobro - Posted - 12/31/2010:  17:40:05

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Happy New Years, Sonny and God bless your Mom.

PickaFive - Posted - 12/31/2010:  19:22:17

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Sonny,
I can't say it better than El Dobro, so I'll second that from Arizona.

And add: "God bless and protect our soldiers, police, and fire fighters!"

Dick Huyett
PickaFive

John J - Posted - 01/01/2011:  05:08:34

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Happy New Year Sonny and to all reading. I hope 2011 is better than 2010. We sure need it to be.

John

TheChief - Posted - 01/01/2011:  08:03:26

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John J, reckon we need "change."
Where have I heard that before?

Funny, New Years day looks just like one day last week...duh!

Thank you Don, Dick, and all. Police, Firefighters, and Soldiers. Man, they give so much. In my opinion, we can never thank them enough.

s

Sonny Osborne Banjo Company
P O Box 647
Hendersonville, TN 37077
chiefbanjo@comcast.net
615-824-0096
web site: sonnyosborne.com
"IN GOD WE TRUST"

John J - Posted - 01/01/2011:  15:48:57

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[quote]Originally posted by TheChief

John J, reckon we need "change."
Where have I heard that before?

Ah yeah,right.

John

Majorbanjo - Posted - 01/01/2011:  15:53:52

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My new years resolution is; if I ever get another Chief......I won't sell or trade it.......:-).....

apherigo - Posted - 01/01/2011:  16:45:39

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Question about Sonny's banjo on banjohangout.org/topic/...4/#2476062

TheChief - Posted - 01/01/2011:  17:10:01

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That picture was made in the studio of CKLW TV in Windsor Ontario Canada, in the winter of 1954 or early 1955.
The banjo is an original five string RB3 raised head, 1929. Owned now by Byron Robins of Knoxville TN.
I have a set of clamp-on tuners made by Haze Hall of Knoxville. They worked well. Also you might notice a mute between the bridge and tailpiece. This would tend to eliminate the typical hollow raised head tone that a skin head on that banjo produced.

I recorded quite a few sides with that banjo, until, and even after buying the RB3 flathead (Rocky Top banjo) in 1956. Sunny Mtn Chimes, Save it Save it, Chalk Up Another One, etc, etc. I bought it from Shorty Fincher of Hallum PA. in 1952. ($125) I sent it to Gibson to be refretted and it came back with block inlay. No explanation, just block inlay. (I think it's now called Bow tie.)

Good banjo.

s
Sonny Osborne Banjo Company
P O Box 647
Hendersonville, TN 37077
chiefbanjo@comcast.net
615-824-0096
web site: sonnyosborne.com
"IN GOD WE TRUST"

TheChief - Posted - 01/01/2011:  17:13:59

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Hey Major Trey..I can fix you right up with that banjo thingy.... {;-)>

s

TheChief - Posted - 01/01/2011:  17:35:24

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I had forgotten about that picture. That was right after Bobby got his Fern mandolin from Charlie Bailey. ($350)
We (Bobby, Jimmy, and I) worked on WJR in Detroit with Casey Clark and The Lazy Ranch Boys and did the TV show every Friday night.
Good Lord, that was 56 years ago.
I was 17, Bobby and Jimmy were 23 and 24 respectively...or thereabouts.

s

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Edited by - TheChief on 01/02/2011 08:38:01

Majorbanjo - Posted - 01/01/2011:  17:36:48

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Chief.....I've got a banjo for sale, once sold, I will be ready to work with you on my dream Chief model....you can accommodate some customization right?..........Trey

Majorbanjo - Posted - 01/01/2011:  19:29:24

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OK Chief...banjo just sold......there is no other new banjo I'd even consider....the opportunity to deal with a playing legend like you and a builder like Frank Neat....

I;m ready to put a deposit down on a new Chief......will contact you shortly...........Trey....

Darcy - Posted - 01/01/2011:  21:09:40

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Thanks Sonny for talking about that photo. I just bought the Jimmy Martin box set and that photo was one of the ones included. It shows you holding that banjo in about three pictures. It also shows JD Crowe holding a similar banjo. I was actually wondering if it was the same one (he's 14 and it has the same mute on it).

It appears you've always been a fan of ugly tuners as well :)

El Dobro - Posted - 01/01/2011:  23:26:28

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quote:

---

Originally posted by TheChief

That picture was made in the studio of CKLW TV in Windsor Ontario Canada, in the winter of 1954 or early 1955.
The banjo is an original five string RB3 raised head, 1929. Owned now by Byron Robins of Knoxville TN.
I have a set of clamp-on tuners made by Haze Hall of Knoxville. They worked well. Also you might notice a mute between the bridge and tailpiece. This would tend to eliminate the typical hollow raised head tone that a skin head on that banjo produced.

I recorded quite a few sides with that banjo, until, and even after buying the RB3 flathead (Rocky Top banjo) in 1956. Sunny Mtn Chimes, Save it Save it, Chalk Up Another One, etc, etc. I bought it from Shorty Fincher of Hallum PA. in 1952. ($125) I sent it to Gibson to be refretted and it came back with block inlay. No explanation, just block inlay. (I think it's now called Bow tie.)

Good banjo.

s
Sonny Osborne Banjo Company
P O Box 647
Hendersonville, TN 37077
chiefbanjo@comcast.net
615-824-0096
web site: sonnyosborne.com
"IN GOD WE TRUST"

---

Wasn't that also the Down In The Willow Garden banjo?

TheChief - Posted - 01/02/2011:  08:25:30

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Darcy...I always liked the idea of tuners that worked every time without resetting. Those clamp on tuners were good, but I saw Johnny Whisnut (Probably mis spelled) with a contraption he had fashioned and they were simple and worked well. My ugly tuners were a variation of that, and work perfectly. They are ugly though..named right.

Dobro...That banjo was used on everything, and including the RCA recordings with Jimmy Martin. The original record of Ruby, Ho Honey Ho, Della May, (MGM 1956) Bobby played it on those. I played harmony on the newly purchased RB3 flathead and I played it on Down In The Willow Garden...with D tuners yet. Probably the best neck I ever played. Good banjo, I repeat!

So far as JD goes, I don't remember his having a mute such as that but he may have. However, that is not the same banjo. I do know that for fact. JD and I started playing at about the same time but he is 2 months and 2 days older than I!!!!! {;-0>

s
Sonny Osborne Banjo Company
P O Box 647
Hendersonville, TN 37077
chiefbanjo@comcast.net
615-824-0096
web site: sonnyosborne.com
"IN GOD WE TRUST"

TheChief - Posted - 01/02/2011:  08:29:02

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Trey Major...I have banjos in stock and will look forward to hearing from you.

Thank you for considering a Chief.

s

apherigo - Posted - 01/02/2011:  09:26:27

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quote:

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Originally posted by TheChief

Good Lord, that was 56 years ago.

s

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....and what an incredibly amazing 56++ years Sonny has contributed to the music. I didn't pick up the banjo until after his retirement. I never had the opportunity to see him play live but, even in retirement, I am personally inspired by Sonny's continued involvement in the music and generosity towards all levels of Banjo players. Thanks.

I haven't graduated from working on Earl's stuff yet but as I branch out I hope to get as much of Sonny's stuff figured out as possible.

Chief #75 is being played every day now. What a great GREAT banjo.

Aaron

wes_vanderpool - Posted - 01/02/2011:  11:04:03

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I agree major, best new banjo I've ever owned.

Wes

Darcy - Posted - 01/02/2011:  11:21:11

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Sorry to sidetrack this away from talking about the Chief banjo. I thought I would share two more photos from the box set (hope I don't get in trouble for posting photos on this thread. If so, I'll delete them). One of JD and one of Sonny. The first one of JD you can see the mute. How often did you use the mute (and when). Then a nice shot of Sonny with a clear shot of the RB3 (with the tuners).

Ebanjo - Posted - 01/02/2011:  13:12:14

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Sonny, The guy you were speaking of was Johnny Whisnant who was originally from Lenoir, N.C.
Eric Ellis

Ebanjo - Posted - 01/02/2011:  13:15:00

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By the way, didn't Larry Mathis own that RB-3 at one time? And the mute on the banjo J.D. is holding in the picture looks to be an RB-150 and not the Banger.
Eric Ellis

TheChief - Posted - 01/02/2011:  13:55:40

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Ebanjo..I bougtht the 3 from Shorty Fincher, sold it to a guy in Chattanooga, he sold it to Larry Mathis, who sold it to David West, who sold it to Jim Gauratti, who owned it when he allowed me to get it back. Byron Robins bought it from me. The banjo JD is playing in that picture is in fact a 150.
Eric...Johnny Whisnant is the man. He made the banjo he played and had the tuners installed on. Johnny was American Indian..or native American. If he was from Lenoir NC I bet he was either part or full Cherokee. I have about 1000th part Cherokee blood...on my Mother's side. I be proud of it too!!!

Darcy..I used the mute all the time. It was designed to be placed near, or touching the bridge which was it's purpose. But I experimented with it and when placed behind the bridge with space between mute and bridge, it made the banjo sound so much better.
Old JD was about as skinny as I was fat huh?
I noticed the background wall. Both are the same. My picture was taken in the auditorium where we did the Saturday night show and dance. 12101 Mack Ave. in Detroit. I wonder.....?

s
Sonny Osborne Banjo Company
P O Box 647
Hendersonville, TN 37077
chiefbanjo@comcast.net
615-824-0096
web site: sonnyosborne.com
"IN GOD WE TRUST"

Darcy - Posted - 01/02/2011:  14:17:33

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Again, thanks for the info. With that statement you probably just raised the price of those mutes by $300.00.

bcampbe5 - Posted - 01/03/2011:  10:54:46

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Sonny, Happy New Year!

I never knew you played on WJR with Casey Clark. I grew up around Casey here in Michigan and picked with him a bunch when I was a kid. Casey has been gone quite a few years now.

Pete Goble showed me some great pictures of Bobby, Jimmy, and Yourself from somewhere here in the Detroit area... A real piece of Bluegrass history.


Brad Campbell

TheChief - Posted - 01/03/2011:  12:19:00

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The year (August '54 to August '55) spent in Detroit was one of the most memorable of my career. Learned a lot about being an adult, a lot about what I could do with the banjo, and actually how life in general worked. I met Buddy Emmons there. Truly perhaps the greatest steel guitar player ever. Really a fun time. I had a 51 Ford and I was 17 with not a worry in the world.

s
Sonny Osborne Banjo Company
P O Box 647
Hendersonville, TN 37077
chiefbanjo@comcast.net
615-824-0096
web site: sonnyosborne.com
"IN GOD WE TRUST"

KCJohnny - Posted - 01/08/2011:  10:22:52

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Hello Everyone,

I have been out of touch for a while. I am actually surprised that this thread is still going. I am still loving my Chief banjos and wanted to say hello to everyone. You know, it really is a good feeling to know that you made a good choice on such a personal choice as the instrument that we will play. My excitement of owning a Chief banjo has not diminished one bit.

banjoman69 - Posted - 01/08/2011:  18:46:27

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Sonny,

Great to see you at Banjothon today. It was especially great to see all that history there with you and Eddie Adcock sitting together and talking. Had to be special. Still pickin' my Chief.. take care till I see you at Nashcamp if not sooner!

TheChief - Posted - 01/11/2011:  17:05:35

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For those of you not knowing, KC Johnny is the gentleman who started this record breaking thread several years ago.

Thank you Johnny.

s

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Edited by - TheChief on 01/12/2011 07:03:58

laceyth9 - Posted - 01/11/2011:  17:48:29

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Sonny,

Can you give a run-down of the professionals that are playing Chiefs?

Tim L.

TheChief - Posted - 01/12/2011:  08:13:27

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Tim I'm not ignoring your question but it would be rather hard to answer. How would we define "professional?"
I can name a few but I know I'll leave out a lot.
In my mind a pro is a person who get's paid for playing the banjo, or any other instrument, or singing.
That covers quite a lot of territory.
The music business is so unreliable and uncertain a person would have a rather hard time making a living just doing that. And, to be a successful entertainer so many pieces must fall in place. Enough so that one would be considered lucky, if you believe that such a thing exists. To me "luck" is where oportunity and hard work meet. You make "luck" happen by making sure you're at the right place at the right time and knowing enough to take advantage of the oportunity when it presents itself. When we see someone "on stage" we tend to think it is such a great life but take it from a fool's experience...It ain't easy. Especially without very much education.
Bill Emerson, Kristin Scott Benson, Daniel Grindstaff, Joe Bonsall, Dana Cupp, Blake Williams, Greg Ernest, Mickey Flatt, Dale Vanderpool, Dean Osborne, Jason Davis. If I left anyone out (which I'm sure I did) I'm sorry. I guess I should include Kenny Ingram, Bill Evans, and Rob McCoury. Evans and McCoury played Chief banjos...they now have pre war banjos. Kenny Ingram, now working with The Larry Stephenson Band is playing the Roll Muddy River Vega banjo. I just thought I'd throw that in for the heck of it. Kenny is one of my best friends and certainly one of the best banjo players forever.

s

Sonny Osborne Banjo Company
P O Box 647
Hendersonville, TN 37077
chiefbanjo@comcast.net
615-824-0096
web site: sonnyosborne.com
"IN GOD WE TRUST"

apherigo - Posted - 01/12/2011:  08:20:40

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I use that definition often... "Luck" - When preparation meets an opportunity.

Aaron

TheChief - Posted - 01/12/2011:  08:29:19

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Aaron..good to see you two again. Preparation..good assement.

s