Yellowhouseroad - Posted - 07/01/2011:  14:25:07

Yes. It certainly sounded great on the Grascals recordings. I can't wait to hear how this one sounds!

TheChief - Posted - 07/02/2011:  06:44:32

I thought it was close to the complete sound I was looking for. Maybe she has a better ear?

Time will tell I guess.

s

Sonny Osborne Banjo Co

P O Box 647

Hendersonville, TN 37077

615-824-0096

chiefbanjo@comcast.net

sonnyosborne.com

"IN GOD WE TRUST"

TheChief - Posted - 07/02/2011:  07:11:29

I haul bigger banjos in a 77 Chevrolet pickup. Picture on web site.

(My Dad bought it new. I've had it since 81)

Sonny Osborne Banjo Co

P O Box 647

Hendersonville, TN 37077

615-824-0096

chiefbanjo@comcast.net

sonnyosborne.com

"IN GOD WE TRUST"

Ebanjo - Posted - 07/02/2011:  07:56:40

Hey Sonny, I heard Kenny Ingram playing your old Vega with Larry Stephenson at Morganton, N.C. yesterday. That's the best sounding Vega I've ever heard.
Eric Ellis

TheChief - Posted - 07/02/2011:  11:01:14

Eric:

That's one of the better Vegas. I had 4 or 5. That banjo recorded Roll Muddy River in 1966. Plus a multitude of other songs. Good banjo though it really doesn't have much in the way of a tone ring!  Proof that a tone ring alone does not make the banjo.

Larry Mathis has/had an RB 11 that will blow your hat in the creek. Doesn't have a tone ring period! Case closed!

Kenny seems to like the Vega. I'm glad.

s

Sonny Osborne Banjo Co

P O Box 647

Hendersonville, TN 37077

615-824-0096

chiefbanjo@comcast.net

sonnyosborne.com

"IN GOD WE TRUST"

Woolpersteve - Posted - 07/02/2011:  11:23:43

Sonny that is one tough looking truck ! Incredible what you can do with a can of rustoleum paint and a paint brush ; )
Steve

TheChief - Posted - 07/02/2011:  13:08:40

My talents are enormous Steve, and very under rated..

s

Sonny Osborne Banjo Co

P O Box 647

Hendersonville, TN 37077

615-824-0096

chiefbanjo@comcast.net

sonnyosborne.com

"IN GOD WE TRUST"

Ronnie - Posted - 07/02/2011:  13:28:56

How is the Fat Vox coming along? 

I am still playing the old Scruggs/Vega I bought from Paul Craft around 1965.  It made a believer out of me!!! 

Edited by - Ronnie on 07/02/2011 13:38:45

alison130 - Posted - 07/03/2011:  07:11:18

Sonny, I heard Kristen's new Chief last week and it sounded incredible! I thought mine(Bonk Bonk #128) has a great sound but Kristen's sounds even better but I'm sure it's just who's behind it. Mine is due for some fret work so it's back to the Granada, I hope it doesn't take too long .

 Best wishes

  Terry

TheChief - Posted - 07/03/2011:  14:18:38

She sold the other one in 2 calls.

S

Sonny Osborne Banjo Co

P O Box 647

Hendersonville, TN 37077

615-824-0096

chiefbanjo@comcast.net

sonnyosborne.com

"IN GOD WE TRUST"

pick1936 - Posted - 07/05/2011:  12:18:18

Hi  Chief, I have  been  seeing,  and  hearing  Many  Chiefs,  and  Scouts.  I might  buy  one  some day.  I  still  think You should  Title  Your  new  book. (Up  This  Hill  And  down).   Keep  building  and  pickin.               (Saturday   I'll  Talk  To  My  Woman,  Sunday  I'll   Talk  To  My  Lord)    from  one  old  man  to  another,  But I  think  You  are  a  little  younger  than  Me.  I  am 75. You  take  care  now.  Pick  he  banjer  Son.

Nechville.  In  Higginsvile

Lee  Kelso

TheChief - Posted - 07/11/2011:  13:05:48

Jesse Miller of Greenwood Ark. will receive his Maple Chief Wednesday.

Kevin in Washington bought Kristin's banjo.

She has a new one.(Maple) 

Thank you Mr. Miller, Kristin, and Kevin!.

s

Sonny Osborne Banjo Co

P O Box 647

Hendersonville, TN 37077

615-824-0096

chiefbanjo@comcast.net

sonnyosborne.com

"IN GOD WE TRUST"

Edited by - TheChief on 07/11/2011 13:10:25

mahogchief01 - Posted - 07/14/2011:  15:00:54

Hey Sonny,

How is the book coming along? Hope all is well with you and Ms. Judy.

Mickey & Trigger

Yellowhouseroad - Posted - 07/18/2011:  06:13:06

Is this the new Osborne Chief that Kristin Scott Benson is now playing?

youtube.com/watch?v=TwrOQDX3y6...e=related

TheChief - Posted - 07/19/2011:  14:13:29

Yep..it is.

s

Sonny Osborne Banjo Co

P O Box 647

Hendersonville, TN 37077

615-824-0096

chiefbanjo@comcast.net

sonnyosborne.com

"IN GOD WE TRUST"

TheChief - Posted - 07/19/2011:  14:18:08

The Book.

Scott tells me that although he still has some work and several interviews to do, it should be finished by year's end.

Awesome!

s

Sonny Osborne Banjo Co

P O Box 647

Hendersonville, TN 37077

615-824-0096

chiefbanjo@comcast.net

sonnyosborne.com

"IN GOD WE TRUST"

momo - Posted - 07/19/2011:  14:25:41

Sonny, we had this discussion years ago on the Hangout about the title of the book....I was the one who came up with "Up this Hill and down" for the title.I hope you use it. it's a good one

TheChief - Posted - 07/19/2011:  16:57:54

And if we use it I'll give u credit. But, we are quite a ways from that point. Scott's trying to work this in with his law-yer-ing. (I'm not sure that's a word. If not, it is now) !!! That could not be easy. None of this was as easy as it seemed it might be when we started. He (Scott Street) has many hours invested and still has many to go.  

Good title though.

s

Woolpersteve - Posted - 07/19/2011:  17:04:45

Sonny,
Lawyering, lawyerin',law'in'...they all work.
Going to Frank's tomorrow for a tune-up.Good to not go the the law'in' office for a day.
Steve

Woolpersteve - Posted - 07/20/2011:  15:45:24

Wow ! Frank is amazing. He replaced 9 frets in about , and I am not kidding, 11.5 minutes. Everyone of them perfect enough for NASA standards .
Chief #35 is back , better than ever ! Sure was nice to see Frank and Ricky again.
Steve

Charles in SC - Posted - 07/20/2011:  19:37:39

quote:

---

Originally posted by TheChief

She sold the other one in 2 calls.

I am curious who bought it? I  was the first one according to her. I live about a mile from her and went by to play it. I declined and she said she had another buyer lined up. I wondered who it was but did not ask.

S

Sonny Osborne Banjo Co

P O Box 647

Hendersonville, TN 37077

615-824-0096

chiefbanjo@comcast.net

sonnyosborne.com

"IN GOD WE TRUST"

---

TheChief - Posted - 07/21/2011:  10:59:37

I don't know his name, but I do know he lives in the far west. You would need to ask her his name.

Curious, if you were interested in a banjo why did you decline. Something about how it looked, or played?

I'd like to know.

s

Charles in SC - Posted - 07/21/2011:  19:15:44

quote:

---

Originally posted by TheChief

I don't know his name, but I do know he lives in the far west. You would need to ask her his name.

Curious, if you were interested in a banjo why did you decline. Something about how it looked, or played?

I'd like to know.

 

​Thanks Sonny, After I posted that I wished I had not. I did not care about their name, I just wondered if it stayed in the Boiling Springs area and maybe I would see it show up at some of the local jams or if it had moved far away, sounds like it went far.

​As to why I was not interested after seeing it. I explained to Kristin when I first talked to her that I had never seen a Chief in person and did not know if I would like it better than whet I am currently playing but since I was so close to her I would like to come check it out.

​After seeing it I liked mine better. I felt like it needed some set up work but having never played one before I had nothing to compare it to.

​Since looking at it I have watched some youtube videos of her playing and do not think it sounded the same in person.

​Maybe it did need some setup work. It was still a very nice banjo for whoever got it.

 

 

s

 

---

awol13 - Posted - 07/22/2011:  05:47:30

quote: Thanks again Chief it is a wonderful banjo plays and sounds super to these old ears.

After the episode yesterday I now believe in miracles. Keep in touch       Jesse 

---

Originally posted by TheChief

I don't know his name, but I do know he lives in the far west. You would need to ask her his name.

Curious, if you were interested in a banjo why did you decline. Something about how it looked, or played?

I'd like to know.

 

s

 

---

pick1936 - Posted - 07/25/2011:  11:47:09

Chris,  look  back  I came  up with  name (Up  This  Hill  And  Down)   Just   go  back  to  the  start  of  these  threads   It's  there.  BUT  it  really  does  not  matter.   It  could  be  just  titled  (Head  Chief).    I did  get  to  pick   a  Chief  banjo  for  about  30  minuets  It  did  sound  Great.   I  would like to  own  one  someday.   And Chief how many  banjo's  have  been built  so  far?  (Sometime Its  Trouble// Other  Times  Its  Misery// Seems  like  trouble  Just  Hangs  around  With  Me.// Loves  About  Got Me  Down,  But  I  sure  Do Like  The  Pain)    My  Wife  never  did  like  this  song  while  We  were  dating.  But after  45  Years  She  likes  it  also.HA.

Nechville.  In  Higginsville.

Lee  Kelso

Edited by - pick1936 on 07/25/2011 12:00:50

CurtissWhite - Posted - 08/02/2011:  04:04:59

? .... ? .... Page 4? ..... That won't do. Bump!

TheChief - Posted - 08/02/2011:  12:07:16

We're still here no matter what page we're on.

s

Sonny Osborne Banjo Co

P O Box 647

Hendersonville, TN 37077

615-824-0096

chiefbanjo@comcast.net

sonnyosborne.com

"IN GOD WE TRUST"

 

TheChief - Posted - 08/04/2011:  07:15:55

Anyone see Earl's video on utube? Newport last month.

s

TheChief - Posted - 08/04/2011:  07:16:56

Remember he is 87 yrs. old.

s

awol13 - Posted - 08/04/2011:  08:31:31

That's amazing chief!!!!!!!!!!

From Greylock to Bean Blossom - Posted - 08/04/2011:  09:14:11

Here is the web site - all 26 minutes of it. What a national treasure Mr. Scruggs is.

youtube.com/watch?v=BfuULtIuWKM

ken

Edited by - From Greylock to Bean Blossom on 08/04/2011 09:16:53

CurtissWhite - Posted - 08/04/2011:  20:10:42

Saw it. Loved it. All except the sound man's job. It's been discussed in the Off-Topic section here at BHO.

TheChief - Posted - 08/06/2011:  09:18:06

He told me the first time he remembers having a banjo in his hands was when he was about 6. He's been practicing then for about 81 years. 81 YEARS!

Man oh man.

s

Sonny Osborne Banjo Co

P O Box 647

Hendersonville, TN 37077

chiefbanjo@comcast.net

615-824-0096

sonnyosborne.com">sonnyosborne.com

"IN GOD WE TRUST"

TheChief - Posted - 08/06/2011:  09:33:05

The first time I saw him play in person was in Knoxville TN. I was 14. Cocky 14 at that. It literally frightened me, scared me, to realize how good he was on the banjo and how bad I was. It just seemed so easy for him. I decided then and there that I had thousands of hours of hard work to do..which I did. And still came up lacking.

Earl was so good, there are no words to describe. (1949-1955)

I consider myself so fortunate to have lived in the era of Earl, Chet Atkins, Benny Martin, Merle Haggard, my brother Bobby, Kenny Baker.... And there are others, but those who could not be duplicated. That's my point here!

s

Edited by - TheChief on 08/06/2011 09:36:25

jmillsapps - Posted - 08/07/2011:  07:12:59

Sonny, I remember the first time I saw you play in person at Lanier High School in Maryville,TN in 1970. I felt the same way..... still do. Jim

Edited by - jmillsapps on 08/07/2011 07:13:47

TheChief - Posted - 08/08/2011:  20:55:07

Jim that's awfully good of you to say that, but I certainly don't feel that I deserve it...of course,  I have arthritis and I don't deserve that either. (Joke) Thank you. Flattery will definitely get you everywhere.

s

fgodbey - Posted - 08/08/2011:  21:15:41

Sonny,  I'm like Jim...  the first time Marty & I saw you live is indelibly etched in my memory.  It was in the "lovely" Northern Restaurant on N.High St. in Columbus OH in October 1963.   I feel fortunate to have lived in the time of The Osborne Brothers as well as all those folks you mention above... and Jones, and Buck & Don, and Sid Campbell, and my neighbor down the road, Ole Crowe himself.  Thanks for all the great music.

--Frank

TheChief - Posted - 08/09/2011:  08:31:16

Thank you Frank. I trust you're doing well. 10-4 on "old Crowe." He's 2 months and 2 days older than I. You did know that didn't you?

S

BanjoTom47 - Posted - 08/09/2011:  09:30:20

Gotta add my own agreement with Jim and Frank, and undoubtedly hundreds more of us. . .   Sonny, you really said it about Earl and the others, said it just right.  For me, I first saw you and Bobby at a package show, with Dottie West, back in '64 (I think), but I was a fan and admirer before that.   And though you and Bobby and Crowe were admittedly born a half-generation after Earl, you're part of the group we all feel that way about, too.   I'm so lucky to have lived in the time of Bill Monroe and Earl Scruggs and so many who followed -- including you.  Still loving Chief #17! 

Loafers Glory - Posted - 08/09/2011:  16:37:49

Evenin'...

If one cares to listen to the banjo medley that's on you-tube by some bigheaded Awsbone feller...you'll see that he can certainly play the banjo with the best,Earl included...

Ebanjo - Posted - 08/09/2011:  16:46:09

Banjo Tom, I'm with you, Frank, and Jim. Sonny, the first time I saw you and your brother was either
July or August of 1964 at the VFW in North Wilkesboro,N.C.
Eric Ellis

From Greylock to Bean Blossom - Posted - 08/10/2011:  05:01:14

Sorry to interrupt, but I just wanted to say hi to Tom and welcome you to the hangout.  I met you at Bean Blossom this year where I got your new book (autographed) on Bean Blossom. A great write!

Thanks for preserving the history.

Ken

RatLer - Posted - 08/10/2011:  05:45:30

Back in the 60's and 70's, listening to Sonny, Earl, and Ralph is how I got bit the that old Banjo Bug    Even though I'm doing mostly claw hammer now, I was and still am influenced by these legends. I never got the chance to meet them, but they have certainly been a part of my life.....forever grateful.

TheChief - Posted - 08/10/2011:  13:22:37

Something I didn't know.

I had lunch today with Kenny Ingram, Charlie Cushman, and Larry Stephenson. They informed me that JD Crowe is also heading up another group called Old JD Crowe and his Medicine Show. I believe that's the correct name. Man, I didn't know that nor have I heard them. Wonder if he's still doing the New South?

Learn something every day.

s

Sonny Osborne Banjo Co

P O Box 647

Hendersonville, TN 37077

615-824-0096

chiefbanjo@comcast.net

sonnyosborne.com

"IN GOD WE TRUST"

Edited by - TheChief on 08/10/2011 13:25:23

Woolpersteve - Posted - 08/10/2011:  16:56:47

Sonny,
I am still waiting for the rim shot on that one, and I dont mean Cox rim.
Steve

Robby Boone - Posted - 08/10/2011:  16:58:19

That is TOO funny!!! Crowe would have a fit.....I can just hear him.

Sonny, while everyone is telling you about their first experience with you, I have to tell you mine. In 1973 you and Bobby, Robby, Dale Sledd and Dennis Digby  (?)  played Harrison Arkansas and my Dad took me to see you all, you are the reason I started playing, I was ten years old and you with your black hair and that goatee was scary to a little kid, but that banjo was AWESOME, the coolest thing I had seen in my ten years. I owe you a big thanks for firing me up and giving a gift that has and will last my lifetime, so..............THANK YOU!

I know you probably don't know me or remember me, but the last time that you and Bobby played Conway Mo you played my original 5 string Style 11, I'll never forget it, you'd pick it a while and then you'd laugh a while......priceless.

TheChief - Posted - 08/10/2011:  17:35:48

Robby I know you. Ill tell you why I laughed so much. The number 11 has no tone ring and I have always been amazed at how good they sound. I had an 11 that I sold to Larry Mathis (Banjothon) and it might be the loudest banjo I ever heard. Kenny Ingram who plays in the Larry Stephenson Band is playing the Roll Muddy River banjo. (The banjo on which I recorded Roll Muddy) It's a 1965 Vega with not much of a tone ring and it really sounds good. They are going to Milan MI Bluegrass Festival tomorrow  or Friday. You be up that way go check it out.

Sometimes it boils down to what's in the right hand.

s

Sonny Osborne Banjo Co

P O Box 647

Hendersonville, TN 37077

615-824-0096

chiefbanjo@comcast.net

sonnyosborne.com

"IN GOD WE TRUST"

Robby Boone - Posted - 08/10/2011:  18:53:50

Well, I'm tickled that you remember me and you told me those same words while you were playing it, I just figured that you met so many people and played so many different banjos that it all ran together after a while.

I did see Kenny playing the Muddy River Vega strangely enough at Conway Mo this past July 4th weekend and you're right, the banjo IS a hoss......but there was also a hoss playing it! I believe Kenny could get tone out of a gourd.

Thank you again Sonny, it's been an honor to talk with you here.

Edited by - Robby Boone on 08/10/2011 18:56:56

Gary Griffin - Posted - 08/11/2011:  04:13:30

Hi Sonny,

They're showing the Newport Folk Festival on the Ovation Channel now with you guys doing Ruby! What banjo are you playing there and who's the guitar and bass player? You guys were knocking it out as usual. Looks like Johnny Cash was on the same show?

All the best to your health!!!!!!!!!!