apherigo - Posted - 01/13/2011:  15:00:20

---

Surfing youtube and found this.... I don't know who it is but thought it was cute!

Aaron

RB00 - Posted - 01/13/2011:  19:09:26

---

Is that cute or WHAT!! She gets it! The next Kristin. Reason to make a mini Chief!

RatLer - Posted - 01/14/2011:  06:35:11

---

She really has those fingers going....IMO the right hand is doin' clawhammer...

TheChief - Posted - 01/15/2011:  22:24:19

---

There were nights when we sounded like this, but cute like this little girl, NO. NO WAY!

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 - 01/15/2011:  22:31:54

---

I had a good discussion and visit with Steve Martin..THE Steve Martin..the lawyer, Chief owner from Kentucky. Man, we solved most world problems for two hours. Steve is in town to have Charlie Cushman set up a banjo and just "be" for a couple days. He's really a good man. Comes to camp every year and has become a very good friend.

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"

Woolpersteve - Posted - 01/16/2011:  18:56:53

---

Sonny,
Had a fine time setting things right .Its hard to solve all of 'em in two hours.Charlie did his usual magic .The man is a banjo wizard and a just a fine fellow .Man he takes banjo set-up to heart and wants everything to be perfect .I had a really fine weekend ( or 36 hours).
Next time dinner is on me .It embarrases me that you are always paying.
Steve

---

Edited by - Woolpersteve on 01/16/2011 18:58:38

wjtank - Posted - 01/17/2011:  06:43:31

---

Just wanted to drop in and say hello to my favorite banjo player, The Chief. Glad to see you are doing well. I'm very thankful that I had the opportunity to see you live several times in GA and SC - Lincolnton, Jekyll Island, Dahlonega, and Myrtle Beach. But the highlight was to attend the banjo camp in 2006 - the one that Ron Block and Rob McCoury attended. I have enjoyed searching for and watching as many Osborne Brothers videos on youtube as I can find. Top level picking and singing, and just good honest entertainment ! Take care.

Tank down in the Georgia Pineywoods

---

Edited by - wjtank on 01/17/2011 06:48:29

TheChief - Posted - 01/17/2011:  07:05:50

---

Steve..lawing pays better than retiring.

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"

bcampbe5 - Posted - 01/20/2011:  10:14:48

---

I was wondering if any of the mahogany or walnut Chief owners out there have any sound files they would be willing to send me. I would greatly appreciate it.

Thanks.

Banjo Stan - Posted - 01/20/2011:  13:19:08

---

Wow...KC Johnny and Tank chimin' in on the Chief Thread. Haven't talked with you guys in a while. Things are going great in my world as I became a first time grandfather of twin baby girls yesterday! Ariana and Lyla Robins...Mom and babies are healthy and doing great. I can tell they'll be great pickers already...long slender fingers. Who knows, maybe fiddle players too! Anyhow, they're gonna call me "Pappy"......sounds like a good name for a banjo pickin' grand dad:) Trish, my wife was not going to go for "Granny".... brings up visions of the Beverly Hillbillies, so she has settled for "Mimi"

Best wishes to Sonny and all the Tribe!

TheChief - Posted - 01/20/2011:  14:09:45

---

Good for you Pappy. Did you know that Doris Macon called his Dad Pappy. You may be too young to know who Doris and his Dad were.
Doris was the son of one of the firsrt Grand Ole Opry performers. Dave Macon. Quite big in the 20's, 30's and 40's.

s

Banjo Stan - Posted - 01/20/2011:  17:38:37

---

Proud to carry on the tradition, Sonny:)

KCJohnny - Posted - 01/20/2011:  19:36:06

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by TheChief

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

Thank you Johnny.

s

---

No thanks required Chief. I just shared my excitement and you and your banjos did the rest. Thank you.

Roy5string - Posted - 01/21/2011:  11:51:27

---

Mr Chief,
Could you tell me if the original clamshell tailpiece
on your Granada had the word Granada engraved
on it?
One of your biggest fans,
Roy

TheChief - Posted - 01/21/2011:  14:38:22

---

Mr. Campbell..
If you go to my web site..: web site: sonnyosborne.com on the front page left side u will see where it says "Chief sounds."
There you will be able to hear Bill Emerson playing his Walnut Chief #60, Me playing three cuts with Maple Chief #00, and Bill Evans playing his Maple, Mahogany, and for comparison, his RB 75 Gibson.
Quite interesting.

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"

---

Edited by - TheChief on 01/21/2011 22:26:36

TheChief - Posted - 01/21/2011:  14:53:04

---

Roy.No it did not..
My Granada clamshell doesn't have anything stamped on it except on the back end it has, in small print, Grover..pat...etc.
Absolutely Gibson's worst idea, especially for the pro who might break a string. That was one of the first things I removed...I took it off, and the original tuners..I ditched them as well. I still have both tailpiece and tuners (which includes the fifth string friction peg). I replaced them with a gold Presto tailpiece, gold pancake and gold fifth string geared tuners. Tailpiece and pancakes came from Harry Sparks. He traded me them for a free pass at our record table. I don't have a clue as to how many albums he got. Probably all we had. I do know he had an armload.
I met a guy at banjothon who had taken the clam part off, and mounted it onto a presto bottom. Banjothon was fun.

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"

---

Edited by - TheChief on 01/21/2011 15:05:27

TheChief - Posted - 01/26/2011:  10:20:11

---

Charlie Louvin, lead singer of the Louvin Brothers and long time member of the Grand Ole Opry, passed from this life at about 1AM today. Arguably the best duet ever.
A friend since 1957.

s

Bruce4501 - Posted - 01/26/2011:  10:37:14

---

Sonny,
I am sorry to hear about your friend.
Not to get too off topic, the Louvin Brothers were one of my favorite duet acts in early country. It was amazing what they could do with duet harmonies!
For those who are not familiar with them, here is one of their best songs IMHO!
youtube.com/watch?v=lWp7MGY3II4
Bruce

Woolpersteve - Posted - 01/26/2011:  10:52:12

---

Sad news Sonny.

picknman - Posted - 01/26/2011:  11:12:21

---

Sad news indeed.

JimmieSue - Posted - 01/26/2011:  11:39:03

---

Oh dear - that is very sad news.

My mom purchased the DVDs of "Grassroots to Bluegrass", Charlie was a part of that production. MY GOD the talent in those DVDs! (Sonny is among them, naturally!)

Sonny - how is your other friend, Mr. Golden, doing? I'm still holding him in my thoughts.

Sheldon - Posted - 01/27/2011:  14:54:01

---

Sonny,
I wrote something on the "playing advice" forum that made me remember Bluegrass-L. Do you remember when you left that forum because some folks there were arguing with you about what bluegrass music was?
When you announced you were leaving I left. I don't know if bluegrass-L still exists.

Sheldon

TheChief - Posted - 01/28/2011:  07:47:06

---

Bluegrass L consists of a group of people who existed to argue. That was not what I expected...so I left and never missed it for one second. I don't have any knowledge as to whether it still exists..nor will I stay awake wondering about it's outcome.

I haven't heard from Mr. Golden in several weeks. I pray for him to be well.

s

FatManMary - Posted - 01/28/2011:  08:09:03

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by JimmieSue

My mom purchased the DVDs of "Grassroots to Bluegrass", Charlie was a part of that production. MY GOD the talent in those DVDs! (Sonny is among them, naturally!)

---

How are those? I was considering buying those but I wasn't sure. Usually I'll buy anything with Sonny or Bobby on it but it's a lot more than just a $10 album.

JimmieSue - Posted - 01/31/2011:  05:02:34

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by FatManMary

quote:

---

Originally posted by JimmieSue

My mom purchased the DVDs of "Grassroots to Bluegrass", Charlie was a part of that production. MY GOD the talent in those DVDs! (Sonny is among them, naturally!)

---

How are those? I was considering buying those but I wasn't sure. Usually I'll buy anything with Sonny or Bobby on it but it's a lot more than just a $10 album.

---

'I' thought they were very good and quite entertaining. The talent value itself is amazing......and the stories (of which there are many! lol) are both informative and somewhat humorous. As is apparently typical....Bobby doesn't say much, but Sonny..... well...Sonny's my kinda guy! lol Just remember - this is just MY OPINION on them tho..... and they do cost more than a $10 CD.

TheChief - Posted - 02/01/2011:  16:44:57

---

Yep..they cost more than m10$ but they are well worth it, if you like country/bluegrass music and the people who have made it all these years.
And, they certainly were such a pleasure to film...and I think it shows.

s

mitchmanns - Posted - 02/05/2011:  09:08:34

---

Speaking of the Louvins, how about a little background on Ira singing with you and Bobby,interesting vocal blend.

TheChief - Posted - 02/09/2011:  09:43:25

---

If you get the oportunity to see The Larry Stephenson band, Kenny Ingram is playing banjo. He is playing the Vega banjo I recorded Roll Muddy River, One Tear, etc. with. Interesting.

s

Bruce4501 - Posted - 02/09/2011:  09:44:35

---

Mitch,
Glad you asked the question about Ira Louvin too.
I was also curious.
Bruce

TheChief - Posted - 02/09/2011:  16:37:16

---

We had come to Nashville to record and Johnny Dacus, our third trio singer had chosen that time to leave our band. We really wanted to record Give This Message To Your Heart, which Ira had written, but it just wouldn't sound right without the third part.
So after explaining this to Ira, he told us he would do it with us. We were honored to do this. The Louvins were supposed to leave for South Dakota at 3 PM. Our session was at 6. Ira told Charles that they were going to stay and that he was going to record that song with us. They wound up leaving about 7:30.
We didn't rehearse, we knew the song and having written it, so did he. I asked him which part he wanted to do and he told me to just do the parts we normally did and he would do the other. He did just exactly that. Our harmony trades parts almost by the line, he knew that as the Louvins did the same thing. So, he would sing the lowest part on one line and the highest part on another. Extremely difficult. One must completely understand harmony to the highest level..and Ira Louvin did. Did he ever!
So we recorded the song and if my memory serves me correctly, on the third take I believe. Personally, I thought that was one of the best recordings we ever did. Granted it was a little different and maybe it was because it was the fact that we were singing with Ira, whom we respected to the utmost, but I still listen to that song some 50 years later. And still think it's good.

Thank you for asking about it..

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"

---

Edited by - TheChief on 02/09/2011 16:48:07

mitchmanns - Posted - 02/10/2011:  05:34:37

---

Thanks,that was always one of my favorites.

TheChief - Posted - 02/10/2011:  07:00:18

---

Charlie pronounced Ira's name..R...E. And did you know their last name was actually "LOUDERMILK."

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"

Bruce4501 - Posted - 02/10/2011:  07:29:46

---

Sonny,
Thanks from me as well for that great history lesson. I LOVE hearing the stories behind the making of the recordings.

The Loudermilk Brothers JUST doesn't have the same ring to it that The Louvin Brothers does! Glad they went that direction.
Bruce

dshields - Posted - 02/10/2011:  08:43:20

---

Hey Chief, long time no talk to. Hope you are doing well. I'm finally getting back to banjo and my long-neglected Chief #114 and I'm happy to see this thread still going!

Take care,

David

TheChief - Posted - 02/10/2011:  11:03:30

---

The Louvin Brothers were related, I was told by them, to the great songwriter John D Loudermilk.

David, I wondered what happened to you. I just stopped hearing about you. I'm glad you are well and getting back to basics. (banjo) Also glad to hear that 114 is still in your care and doing well. Thank you for writing. Stay in touch.

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"

Woolpersteve - Posted - 02/10/2011:  17:47:14

---

Sonny , My friends are I are getting ready to open for a band Saturday and as I literally sit here picking a bit I have to say the Chief is just growling in anticipation. I dont know how long it should take but 2 1/2 years of pretty good playing miles and this banjo makes me sound good! I dare the band that follows us to have a better sounding banjo .They may have a better player but not a better banjo ; )
I just like to send a reminder from THE Bluegrass State periodically.
Steve

TheChief - Posted - 02/11/2011:  07:09:38

---

That would have to be a pretty good banjo...if it makes you sound good!!! {;-)>

Next time we lunch it's on me!!

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"

dshields - Posted - 02/11/2011:  07:50:44

---

I hope to be making a trip to Nashville in the rv this spring. Chief, is Charlie Cushman still THE go-to guy for doing banjo set-up?

TheChief - Posted - 02/11/2011:  10:31:28

---

When it comes to setting a banjo up, Charlie Cushman is the MAN...

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"

Woolpersteve - Posted - 02/11/2011:  10:39:57

---

No question re: your last two posts Chief.

bhrb75 - Posted - 02/11/2011:  15:22:56

---

Now Sonny you know Charlie would get rich if he'd quit doing setup and play tenor banjo full time ;)

B.

laceyth9 - Posted - 02/12/2011:  07:42:54

---

Hey Chief,

You know, besides the Chief banjo being a great playing instrument, folks should also consider it as a collectible... a playable collectible. I wonder how many Gibson Granadas have been sold and are in circulation (must be thousands) compared to the maple Chief (which would be a direct comparison), the mahogany Chief (compared to RB-75s and 250s), and the walnut Chief (compared to an RB-4). Do you have breakout numbers of Chief's in circulation? I can envision the Chief's value increasing as it ages and plays even better than it does today.

And, if you are willing to share, would still like to hear the Kristin story...

Love this thread.

Tim L.

the-fish - Posted - 02/19/2011:  08:19:04

---

Im very happy to say that I finally got myself a Chief. I got a used one off here, and i still cant believe the vibs I feel off the neck when I play it. This is a good banjo and Im delighted to own it :-)

TheChief - Posted - 02/19/2011:  17:07:51

---

For those who has not heard.

JD Crowe fell getting off his bus the other night and broke his left arm in two places. I talked with him today and, in Youngstown Ohio, they had stopped to get fuel and he was exiting the bus when a small piece of carpet in the doorwell slipped from under his foot causing the fall. I've almost done the same thing several times. One break is between the shoulder and elbow, the other is near the elbow. He goes for surgery prep Monday, and the actual surgery will be Tuesday. He told me his fingers were not affected which is good. He'll be fine. JD is one of my best friends as well as being one of the better human beings to ever enter this weird business.

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"

---

Edited by - TheChief on 02/19/2011 17:09:00

dshields - Posted - 02/19/2011:  17:14:59

---

That is sad news. I'll add him to our prayer list.

the-fish - Posted - 02/19/2011:  18:10:26

---

wow, that is not good at all! hes in my thoughts

Kenneth Logsdon - Posted - 02/20/2011:  17:15:33

---

Off topic.... But what do you think of "The Team" so far this year, Sonny??
Six more games left, they gonna have to learn to finish quick...

Banjo Stan - Posted - 02/21/2011:  07:12:53

---

Wishing JD a quick recovery:)

dale v - Posted - 02/21/2011:  15:28:34

---

sure hope Jd recovers quickly,a great banjo player,a great guy.

Sonny,any idea what happened to all of the Wilburn Bros shows you & Bobby were on?the RFD channel plays the Wilburns every week,i've been watching for over a year,seems like everyone except you,just curious. Dale