chief3 - Posted - 11/23/2011:  19:18:11

And Sonny, just how many people over the last eight years do you think you have influenced and inspired to pick up the banjo and start playing? I would think plenty. THANKS for the body of work you left us to work through and enjoy and THANKS for your continued involvement in promoting banjo music and banjo players. Happy Thanksgiving!

Goldstarman - Posted - 11/23/2011:  19:21:21

So true, your one of the greats for sure. Great backup and improvisational skills, awsome on slow songs and about as good as it gets on the Earl stuff......man!

John J - Posted - 11/24/2011:  05:25:35

Happy Thanksgiving Sonny and everyone else reading.

John  (#66)

TheChief - Posted - 11/26/2011:  12:09:02

Chief three...I know of three, maybe four!



Thanks for the thought..Tell you what though, as far as missing the music business, I really don't, that much. Playing? I did all I knew. I played everything I heard.



I do miss being on the go. Hard to just not go anymore..Boston, San Diego, Hyden, French Lick, etc, etc, after 55 years of being on the go. But Lord how I miss the sound of that Granada. That wonderful Granada banjo. Not playing it,  just that beautiful sound. I asked Dana Cupp, Aaron, and Kristin to play it just so I could hear it. Jens Kruger asked to play it and after about half an hour he said it was like poison to him. It's truly a great banjo. I do miss that sound.

Thank you all..everyone of you. You're too kind. 

Enough! Sniff, sniff!



s

Sonny Osborne Banjo Co.

PO Box 647

Hendersonville, TN. 37077

615-824-0096

chiefbanjo@comcast.net

Edited by - TheChief on 11/26/2011 12:14:44

Woolpersteve - Posted - 11/26/2011:  13:19:26

Sonny you need to keep that Granada .Case closed.
Steve

Woolpersteve - Posted - 11/26/2011:  13:38:10

I dont mean "in the case , closed "just that it belongs with you and vice versa.
Steve

TheChief - Posted - 11/27/2011:  10:06:18

Twould be really hard to part with it, but then on the other hand, it deserves and needs to be heard. (Played)

I knew it was good when I got it in 78 (New Years Day) but I never dreamed it would be as good as it became. It reproduced everything I heard exactly as I heard it.

I know you all get sick of hearing me rave about that banjo, but.......

s

Timeless1952 - Posted - 11/27/2011:  11:39:11

 Sonny I played that banjo in 1970 when Tom was thinking about buying it. I was a kid trying to learn how to play but I knew enough to know that banjo was very special.

K

TheChief - Posted - 11/27/2011:  13:42:35

I didn't know that Kenny. I know that he either let JD play it, or offered it to him.

I consider myself very fortunate to have become involved with it, for sure.

s

mahogchief01 - Posted - 11/27/2011:  13:42:53

Sonny,

The first time I saw you play that banjo was probably about 1980 in McAlester, OK. I knew then that it was a very special instrument. I feel very honored that you allowed me to play the Granada on several occasions. For me, it is the banjo that all other's are measured by. I've yet to play one that leaves me with the feeling that the Granada does.

I will never get tired of you telling us how much you admire and love that old banjo!!!

Mick

John J - Posted - 11/28/2011:  04:52:28

 Sonny,I always liked it in the early 80s when you would refer to the Granada as,"The beautiful lady". The first time I heard it was in your BNL column keep on the Sonny side.

John

TheChief - Posted - 11/29/2011:  12:16:29

Keep on The Sonny Side was a few years ago. I didn't know anyone remembered.







s

Sonny Osborne Banjo Co.

PO Box 647

Hendersonville,TN. 37077

615-824-0096

Chiefbanjo@comcast.net

sonnyosborne.com

 

Edited by - TheChief on 11/29/2011 12:23:23

Ebanjo - Posted - 11/29/2011:  16:54:02

Hey Sonny,  I remember your column in BNL. Does that make me old?LOL  I sure got a lot of good banjo lessons watching you and Kenny Ingram at some live shows back then too. Not trying to give you the bighead, but you were pickin' some fine banjo back in the 70's and 80's.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Eric Ellis

From Greylock to Bean Blossom - Posted - 11/29/2011:  16:57:31

Sonny,

I think you ought to resume writing Keep on the Sonny Side. I know Hub ran 3 months of articles you wrote in one magazine

and you stopped writing for them but I think everyone would enjoy hearing your thoughts. It would make BNL a better magazine.

Ken

Edited by - From Greylock to Bean Blossom on 11/29/2011 16:58:26

TheChief - Posted - 11/30/2011:  18:26:55

Doesn't make us old, well maybe me, but no, not necessarily.

It's just been a long time. what? 30 plus years now. I guess my mind has changed a lot since then. Hub was a kind man.

s

Sonny Osborne Banjo Co.

PO Box 647

Hendersonville,TN. 37077

615-824-0096

Chiefbanjo@comcast.net

sonnyosborne.com

RayD - Posted - 11/30/2011:  19:30:17

Chief,

It may have been a while since you first wrote those columns; but, I bet many would find it interesting for you to revisit some of your favorites and give your take on some of those things these days. Just say'n....

Cheers,
RayD

El Dobro - Posted - 12/02/2011:  20:56:06

Hey Sonny,

I was listening to the Mac Wiseman Bluegrass album the other day. I don't remember if I've asked you before, but did you use the 3 on that album?

TheChief - Posted - 12/03/2011:  15:45:02

No 3, that's the Granada in all it's glory.



Man, that was some fine and fun album to do with Mac. Bobby Moore played bass. He has to be the best to ever



play acoustic bass for country and bluegrass. He could play..



Merry Christmas Don.



 



s



Sonny Osborne Banjo Co.

PO Box 647

Hendersonville,TN. 37077

615-824-0096

Chiefbanjo@comcast.net

sonnyosborne.com

TheChief - Posted - 12/03/2011:  15:47:36

What is it with this page? It refuses to wrap around. I've tried everything my feeble mind can think of.

s

Sonny Osborne Banjo Co.

PO Box 647

Hendersonville,TN. 37077

615-824-0096

Chiefbanjo@comcast.net

sonnyosborne.com

El Dobro - Posted - 12/03/2011:  16:20:42

quote:

---

Originally posted by TheChief

No 3, that's the Granada in all it's glory.



Man, that was some fine and fun album to do with Mac. Bobby Moore played bass. He has to be the best to ever



play acoustic bass for country and bluegrass. He could play..



Merry Christmas Don.



 



s



Sonny Osborne Banjo Co.

PO Box 647

Hendersonville,TN. 37077

615-824-0096

Chiefbanjo@comcast.net

sonnyosborne.com

---

 Not that one Sonny, the album on the Dot label.

And a Merry Christmas to you. 

Timeless1952 - Posted - 12/03/2011:  19:35:29

Don are you talking about the Dot 1966 with Mac, Tommy Jackson & Joe Zekins?

K

Edited by - Timeless1952 on 12/03/2011 19:37:53

El Dobro - Posted - 12/03/2011:  19:45:54

Yep, that's the one. Great album.

TheChief - Posted - 12/03/2011:  22:10:21

Oh..that one.

I used the Roll Muddy River Vega banjo which Kenny Ingram is now playing.

Good banjo.

S

Timeless1952 - Posted - 12/03/2011:  23:33:16

Thanks Sonny! You just confirmed what I thought the banjo was.   That was and still is one of my favorite LP's.   

K

Edited by - Timeless1952 on 12/03/2011 23:44:56

RB100 - Posted - 12/04/2011:  04:32:51

quote:

---

Originally posted by TheChief

Oh..that one.

I used the Roll Muddy River Vega banjo which Kenny Ingram is now playing.

Good banjo.

 

S

 

---

Just yesterday saw Larry Stephenson and band on Reno's Old Time Music RFD...Kenny was playing that Vega and putting in some classic Osborne licks on a bit of an Osbornes tribute. And I was fortunate enough to see him play it at an IBMA showcase this year. Sonny, I have for some time wanted to thank you for getting this into Kenny's hands so that it can be enjoyed again. This is also a very special banjo (IMO) - especially when in the hands of two masters!

Bill

El Dobro - Posted - 12/04/2011:  08:55:45

quote:

---

Originally posted by TheChief

Oh..that one.

I used the Roll Muddy River Vega banjo which Kenny Ingram is now playing.

Good banjo.

 

S

 

---

 Ok, I thought it didn't sound like the 3 on the MGM and Decca recordings. Bobby should have sung more on that album, the duets were great.

awol13 - Posted - 12/04/2011:  11:23:09

Oh Boy I love this thread.

Timeless1952 - Posted - 12/04/2011:  11:42:35

No it didn't sound like the 3 but I thought it sounded good.

Sonny you were there so would know this. I was told that orginally Bobby wasn't to sing on the Mac 1966 LP. After you got started recording Bobby mentioned to Mac that he could sing some tenor with him on some of the songs if he wanted him to. Is this true or someone's folklore?

K

TheChief - Posted - 12/04/2011:  16:28:37

Don:

It was Mac's album. We were the hired sidemen. Bobby's voice cut like a knife. He was in the midst of being the best ever.

My opinion.

s

TheChief - Posted - 12/04/2011:  16:46:43

K..seems as though Mac asked Bobby to sing on a few songs. I don't think this ever came up before the sessions. Bobby and Mac sing good together. One of my favorite Mac songs was the recording he did with us. He and Bobby rang my bell when they did Shackles and Chains. Mac was so into that song...at certain times he would have his eyes closed and his eyelids would sorta flutter. I was sitting just across the room from him and I was privy to that scene. Also he and Bobby sang that on one mic. Lord, Lord! That was soooo good. 

That was such a special time. I think it was 1979. We were all in the prime of life...before Father Time and Mother Nature caught up with us.

s

Timeless1952 - Posted - 12/05/2011:  00:25:32

That was the 1st time I had heard the Bluebirds Singing song. Man in the key of E they were in the tree tops!!! New Black Suit, Million, Million Girls, Great kickoff you did on that song.  How Lonely Can You Get is one Mac & Bobby just sang the snot out of!!!

The rest of the musicans on the sessions were great too. About all I had heard Tommy Jackson play was square dance fiddle tunes and the country stuff he did with Ray Price. He played very different on that LP. I remember coming by the studio (Hill Top) one night when ya'll were recording with Mac in the late 70's Those were great times.

K

El Dobro - Posted - 12/05/2011:  16:51:45

When I listen to New Black Suit, it just tears me up. While Sonny takes breaks on Tragic Romance, I like what Mac is doing on the guitar. And let's not forget Sonny's take-off on This Is where I came In.

Kenny, they're hard to find, but Tommy Jackson did some more bluegrass fiddling with The Dixie Gentlemen, but they're tough to find.

p.s. the Bluebirds was in D, still darn high. 

Timeless1952 - Posted - 12/05/2011:  18:07:46

Don I always liked Tommy's playing on anything he played but on this Mac LP I had never heard him play Bluegrass. You know I got to thinking about the Bluebirds and thought to myself, he didn't sing that in E it was D. I couldn't change it after 15 mins so I let it go, my bad.

Anyway it's a great LP that needs to be put out on CD other than a box set. That might be Mac's best stuff.

K

1935tb-11 - Posted - 12/05/2011:  18:32:50

quote:

---

Originally posted by TheChief

No 3, that's the Granada in all it's glory.



Man, that was some fine and fun album to do with Mac. Bobby Moore played bass. He has to be the best to ever



play acoustic bass for country and bluegrass. He could play..



Merry Christmas Don.



 



s



Sonny Osborne Banjo Co.

PO Box 647

Hendersonville,TN. 37077

615-824-0096

Chiefbanjo@comcast.net

sonnyosborne.com

---

 the first time i ever really listened,, i mean really listened to the granada live was down at jekyl island in 1999.  it was one of those "OH MY GOD"  moments for me. ya'll were doing the one mic show and it didn't matter where you were on stage sonny, that banjo cut through like a knife. at times when bobby was singing a verse and you would walk away form the mic playing some killer back up.. it just talked through the mic like you were right up against it. it is the best banjo bar none i have ever been around. i have heard and played some that were close but nothing that had everything like that one does.  thanks for that moment,, it was one of the reasons that i went back to playing banjo after putting it  down for about ten years.   i don't know if you remember it or not,, i ask you at intermission out at the table to do siempre in the 2nd set. i was trying to learn what you doing on the D string in the song,, and in the second  set you brought it up and as i come up closer to the stage to get a good look, you invited me to step there on stage so i could see REAL GOOD.  i did not ,, i knew better.  between that and you showing raymond fairchild  me picking upside down and left handed are 2 memories i will keep always with me.... thanks to you and the granada................................................

terry m

El Dobro - Posted - 12/05/2011:  18:54:40

Tommy Jackson did a bluegrass album on the Time label, with the Dixie Gentlemen (Jake Landers, Rual Yarbrough, Hershel Sizemore and others) backing him up and doing vocals. He also did an album on Dot called Tommy Jackson Greatest Bluegrass Hits with the Dixie Gentlemen again and with Mac Wiseman playing rhythm guitar.

TheChief - Posted - 12/05/2011:  20:28:22

Tommy was a good friend. I guess I knew him from sometime in the 50's until his death. Bobby Helms' Frauline and the Ray Price work was as good as it gets. I bet you didn't know that style fiddling was an idea of Ray Price.

 Tommy also played on the Carl Smith bluegrass album Bobby and I did with Carl. Tommy was the real article. 

Terry, I remember that time well. Raymond told me later, after he saw you play upside down. "Osborne, you better watch that feller." (Terry is left handed. He plays the banjo by just turning it upside down. The thumb string on the bottom.) You try to figure that one out.

s

bhrb75 - Posted - 12/06/2011:  05:25:48

Terry,

I'm with you on that. Cherokee 1999; the June festival. That was one of the first OMG moments for me. Sonny was playing the Granada in one of the best shows I've ever seen. Period. You're right, no matter where he was on stage you could hear everything he was doing. I video taped that show and for a long time I watched it over and over and over, and worked out nearly everything he did. Especially "I Wonder Where You Are Tonight," and "Lorena" which he played quite different than the record. One of the other things was how cool Sonny was on stage, and how he worked the crowd, just talking to them like it was just a conversation between a couple of people. Plus some of the antics he used to pull like when the would sing "Love's Gonna Live Here," the last verse he would pronounce "here," "hyur." Lol good times. That day was also the first time I got to hang out with the Chief and be subject to his funning around and those quips he was so good at. lol I was playing a banjo that a friend of mine had built and I think the tune I was playing was Sally Goodwin, and I did something that he didn't think was correct. Well, he had been drinking sweet tea out of this enormous cup, so he picked up the cup and a sharpie, and wrote something, and then turned it around so I could see it and it said, "NO!!!" Lol I still have that cup.

The Osborne Brothers and J.D. and the New South were the ONLY reason I ever went to festivals, because they were the guys who kept you on the edge of your seat waiting to hear the next break or the next couple of backup notes. Thank you Sonny for so many good memories and so much good music.

Brandon

El Dobro - Posted - 12/06/2011:  06:38:24

And here's Tommy Jackson.

youtube.com/watch?v=FFGFemLvvqE

Timeless1952 - Posted - 12/06/2011:  11:03:29

Great Player. I always have enjoyed anything he played.

K

RFsquared - Posted - 12/06/2011:  17:47:51

Sonny, I've got a couple of questions for you.



On the Fastest Grass Alive album, you and Bobby recorded four instrumentals. Is this the first time you had that many instrumentals on an album? Do you remember how much time you and Dale Sledd spent writing Sledd Ridin' and Side Saddle?



This is my favorite album cover of the Osborne Bros. I thought it was funny with Robby having a "modern looking revolver" and the rest with "six shooters". You looked like a rough bunch guarding a moonshine still as the song talks about.



Rick

#108

Edited by - RFsquared on 12/06/2011 17:52:16

El Dobro - Posted - 12/06/2011:  19:39:20

One of the MGM albums was all instrumentals.

RFsquared - Posted - 12/07/2011:  04:35:00

I went back and looked how I asked one of my questions, so......... other than an all instrumental album, is this the first time you recorded four instrumentals on an album?

Thanks Dobro, what I wanted to ask and how it was typed had two different meanings.

Rick
#108

TheChief - Posted - 12/08/2011:  07:33:12

Time for writing Sledd ridin' and Side Saddle? Dale had some of the first part of Sledd and I did the last part. Probably less than 10 minutes. Side Saddle was written in the recording studio. So that on would be another 10 minute job.

We did that MGM album of instrumentals in the late 50's...I would guess 59. Then Fastest Grass had the 4 on it. Then later we did Bluegrass Concerto. 

The cover for Fastest Grass was fun. Robbie was packin' a 30's Colt 38 Police Positive owned by Dale Sledd. Dennis Digby was wearing a Western holster and Single action Colt owned by Smiley Wilson which he used in one of the old western movies. The hat I wore was given to me by Merle Haggard.

Funny thing about that album. We did the cover before the song was written. Which is actually backwards. Usually the song dictates the cover. After the cover photo was done I called Paul Craft, explained what we were wanting, then he wrote the song. 

S

Edited by - TheChief on 12/08/2011 07:35:00

Woolpersteve - Posted - 12/09/2011:  04:18:01

Sonny,
I'm going out to see Larry Stephenson tonight .Hoping Kenny will be displaying the Vega on stage . Great music in store and a fine way to spend a Friday evening.
Steve

TheChief - Posted - 12/09/2011:  08:28:47

My understanding is that he has played it every day since he has had it so chances are you will get to check it out. They recorded last week and he used it then too.

Have a good time and tell them hello.

s

Woolpersteve - Posted - 12/09/2011:  20:29:15

Sonny
Kenny did right by the Vega tonight .That is a really nice tone . I had never heard a Vega live-helps that Kenny was playing it as well.Larry's band is so professional on stage .Nice to see that attention to a performance .
Steve

apherigo - Posted - 12/09/2011:  20:41:28

Wow..... sitting here listening to something called 4-24-82 Departmental Auditorium, Smithsonian Museum - Washington, DC on iTunes.... wow...  Sonny....  you are so articulate and fun to hear talk and play music....  Thanks, for the inspiration...  timeless...   ... "Deceber 25th 1967, this next song was released, and it changed our lives... it put bluegrass music in places it had not been before... and probably hasn't been since...  but...     Good Stuff !!!   Thanks for doing it !!!

Aaron

TheChief - Posted - 12/10/2011:  07:52:34

Aaron..I didn't get to tell you and Debbie how nice to see you both at banjo camp in October. We had a good time and got to hear some of the best, of the best.

That 4-24-82 Smithsonian show; I remember playing there but I don't remember any specifics, such as you mentioned. If I said all those things about Rocky Top, It is certainly true. It did, in fact change our lives forever, and it did put bluegrass music in places where it had never been. Needless to say, Rocky Top opened doors for us all that had previously been closed...And don't think for once that I'm not thankful for that.

~

s

Timeless1952 - Posted - 12/12/2011:  11:02:07

Thanks for coming to the show Friday night Steve. That a pretty nice place they have there. Sure hope they can keep it going & get more people to come out and see the shows. Glad you enjoyed the Vega.

K