TheChief - Posted - 12/12/2011:  18:00:15

Ray..it certainly can if you want to go to the expense. You may remove the neck and send it to me and I'll have it done for you, or you may send the whole banjo and I'll have it gone over completely for you by Frank and replace the name block at the same time. 

If I were you I would just leave it alone and let it wear out. I saw one not long ago where the block was just that, a blank block.

s

RayD - Posted - 12/12/2011:  18:06:05

Chief,

I think I'll just let it "age" naturally and wear out! I remember the headache I had with UPS damaging the resonator the last time I had Frank do some work and Charlie do a set up! I just wondered if there was something the picker could do. Thanks!

Cheers,
RayD

chief3 - Posted - 12/12/2011:  18:29:13

There's a good trivia question for you. How many Chief banjos have an original issue blank pearl block?

TheChief - Posted - 12/13/2011:  07:36:42

Very few were blank. Under 5 I would guess. I engraved the first few myself but then the job was not very good and they were done by a machine after that.

Ray, that's just exactly what I would do if it were me. It never mattered much how it looked, if it sounded right.

Merry Christmas.

~

s 

laceyth9 - Posted - 12/13/2011:  10:05:51

I have number 5 and it was hand-engraved in script. Over the years, it got to where you couldn't make out "Sonny #5", so I filled in the engraving with a black permanent marker and wiped off the excess. Now, I can see good ole Sonny #5 again clear as a bell.

TheChief - Posted - 12/15/2011:  06:35:36

Old Number 5 has some history. 

~

s

Sonny Osborne Banjo Co.

PO Box 647

Hendersonville, TN. 37075

615-824-0096

chiefbanjo@comcast.net

Sonnyosborne.com

In God We Trust

RatLer - Posted - 12/23/2011:  04:55:56

Merry Christmas Sonny and all you "Chief" owners out there....I don't own a "Chief" (yet), but I enjoy following ya'lls posts.....so much history here....it's great...!!!!

RayD - Posted - 12/24/2011:  11:17:01

Chief,

What size is the head on a Chief banjo? 11" medium crown?

Cheers,
RayD

chief3 - Posted - 12/24/2011:  11:32:15

Merry Christmas to Sonny and all the other chieftains. I can't forget those who wish they were chieftains or wish they could wish to be chietains. Did I cover everybody?

TheChief - Posted - 12/24/2011:  14:46:07

Ray..11"..Medium crown.

s

Edited by - TheChief on 12/24/2011 14:46:45

TheChief - Posted - 12/24/2011:  14:54:22

MERRY CHRISTMAS. TO ALL WHO MAKE THIS THE BEST EXPERIENCE ANYONE COULD WISH FOR.

The desert rat (Sandy Claws) rides again tonight!!!! 

s

RayD - Posted - 12/24/2011:  15:22:55

Chief,

Thanks for that.

And I'd like to add in my Christmas Wishes to all Tribe and Hangout members. I especially want to give a shout out to my friends, colleagues, Army, Air Force, Marines, Navy, and Coast Guard members serving in and around the world - especially Afghanistan. I was over there (Afghanistan) this time last year and know how it can be for them. My thoughts and prayers are with them all.

Cheers,
RayD

Ebanjo - Posted - 12/24/2011:  15:29:34

Merry Christmas to you too Chief.
Eric Ellis

apherigo - Posted - 12/25/2011:  04:38:09

Merry Christmas and hope everyone has a healthy and prosperous New Year!

John J - Posted - 12/25/2011:  05:49:25

Merry Christmas Sonny and everyone else reading.

John

Woolpersteve - Posted - 12/25/2011:  06:13:03

Merry Christmas all you Chiefs and Chiefettes!
Steve

Banjo Stan - Posted - 12/25/2011:  06:38:48

Merry Christmas, Sonny and all the Tribe! 

awol13 - Posted - 12/25/2011:  08:54:42

Merry Christmas Sonny, Steve and all you pickers!!!!!!!!!!!

momo - Posted - 12/25/2011:  20:06:04

Hi Sonny, I was listening to your nephew, Wynn on his CMH album. How old was he when that project was recorded? Definitley a talented musician on the Banjo. I really liked the Pink Panther theme,Is he still playing?

TheChief - Posted - 12/26/2011:  14:21:46

Wynn was around 16 when that album was cut. I believe he used my Granada on that album. 

At that time he was as good on traditional banjo playing I ever heard. I stress EVER! Bar none..And, I'm not blowing smoke cause he's my brother's son, he could just flat out play. He was creative, and could duplicate Earl perfectly. Also a pretty good electric bass player.

Last I heard, which was a few years ago, he was in Ocala, Florida. Computer programmer for a bank. I would imagine he still plays although he sold his Granada flathead. 

~

s

Sonny Osborne Banjo Co.

PO Box 647

Hendersonville, TN. 37077

615-824-0096

chiefbanjo@comcast.net

Sonnyosborne.com

In God We Trust

pick1936 - Posted - 12/26/2011:  15:18:57

Hi  Chief, I  hope  You  had  a  great  Christmas/   I  have  almost  all  Your  L.P,s,  and  some  cassettes.   But  The  first  time  really  saw  You  and  Bobby  live  was  down  at  the  rondeveva  Club  In  Warsaw.  Mo.  that  was  the  winter  of  1965,  I  was  dating  My soon  to  be  wife  at that  time,  I  got  drunk, and  left.  I  found out  the  next  day  that  You  and  Bill  Kelly,  Dale  sledd,   and  Bill  Kelly's   dad  went  down  to  His   cabin  at  the  lake. and  You  guys  played  all  night  down  there.  man  was  I mad,  We could  have  went  along.  MAN,  I  don't  drink  at  all  anymore.   I  still  sit  around  and  listen  to  You  guys  all  the  time,   Your  music  never  gets  old.  I  have  the  L.P. where  You guys  played  along  with  Mac  Wiseman.   Mac  is  a  great   singer.  I  saw  Him  on  Larrys  Country  Dinner  last  night  on  RFD TV.    Mac  was  the  guest,  with  Ronnie  Reno  helping  on  guitar, Mac  was  in  a  wheel  chair,   still  singin   pretty good,  just  slipping  some.  He  did not  look very  good.   I  am  afraid  He  might  not  be  around  much  longer.  But  I  might  not  be  either.   just   thought  I'd  write. and let  You  know  I still  enjoy  Your  Music,  THANKS  MUCH..   If  I  am  lucky  I'll   get  a  Chief  before  long.  take   care. and  Hope  You  have  a  great  New  Year.    (Saturday  I'll  Talk  To  My  Woman,,  Sunday  I'll  Talk  To My  Lord)

Nechville.  In  Higginsville.

Lee  Kelso

Jim1 - Posted - 12/26/2011:  15:51:25

I use to see Wynn at the Withlacoochie festival in Florida. He could pick no doubt about it. I normally see him at the Palatka Florida festival. Like Sonny said he can put the thumb to it and always has been nice to me. He normally hangs out at the old greyhound bus that has been converted into a Rv.
Jim

GaryPrice - Posted - 12/27/2011:  17:42:59

Sonny, a little late for Christmas greetings, but not for New Year....so HAPPY NEW YEAR to you and J. Will you be at Maryville this time?
Gary
(PS: Golden years, my ...)

momo - Posted - 12/27/2011:  22:04:19

Wow! 16 years old? Unbelievable!

TheChief - Posted - 12/28/2011:  08:01:48

I guess you've all heard by now but in case you haven't, Jody Rainwater, a member of Flatt and Scruggs Foggy Mtn. Boys in the early 50's, has passed from this life. Jody had been ill for some time. 

He was a great friend and helped further the careers of many bluegrass entertainers, including The Osborne Brothers.

~

s

Sonny Osborne Banjo Co.

PO Box 647

Hendersonville, TN. 37077

615-824-0096

chiefbanjo@comcast.net

Sonnyosborne.com

In God We Trust

Woolpersteve - Posted - 12/28/2011:  08:18:01

Saw that Sonny. Sorry to hear .
Steve

TheChief - Posted - 12/28/2011:  14:04:27

Aside from everything else, Jody Rainwater (Charles Johnson) was a very nice, good human being. One of the best I ever knew. The world needs more like him.

He died Christmas eve (Dec. 24) in his sleep.

~

s

Sonny Osborne Banjo Co.

PO Box 647

Hendersonville, TN. 37077

615-824-0096

chiefbanjo@comcast.net

Sonnyosborne.com

In God We Trust

Edited by - TheChief on 12/28/2011 14:08:55

TheChief - Posted - 12/29/2011:  11:56:38

Today is my Mother's birthday.

December 29, 1909. That makes her 102 yrs. old. How about that!

~

s

Sonny Osborne Banjo Co.

PO Box 647

Hendersonville, TN. 37077

615-824-0096

chiefbanjo@comcast.net

Sonnyosborne.com

In God We Trust

From Greylock to Bean Blossom - Posted - 12/29/2011:  15:51:25

That is quite and achievement!

Happy Birthday.

dmiller - Posted - 12/29/2011:  15:54:27

Happy 102nd to Ma Chief.  

(She's 7 years older than my Gibson F-2 mandolin.)  

Woolpersteve - Posted - 12/29/2011:  18:03:54

102 is amazing ! Does she still tune in UK games?
Steve

Goldstarman - Posted - 12/30/2011:  04:47:53

WOW! Sonny your very fortunate to still have your mother with you. I think thats great

TheChief - Posted - 12/30/2011:  09:40:02

Yeah, I think it's pretty great too.

She listened to Kentucky basketball on radio, and TV well into her 90's. That started in 1946 to about 2003. That's dedication.

And probably read the Bible cover to cover 10 times. She's a wonderful person, and Mother.

Thanks for your comments.

~

s

Sonny Osborne Banjo Co.

PO Box 647

Hendersonville, TN. 37077

615-824-0096

chiefbanjo@comcast.net

Sonnyosborne.com

In God We Trust

garman - Posted - 12/30/2011:  10:12:26

Wonderful Sonny, could you please pass our birthday wishes on to her. Would love to hear the stories she could tell.

bcampbe5 - Posted - 12/30/2011:  12:32:05

Happy belated B-day to your Mother, Sonny!  That's awesome...   I can only imagine the stories/history she could enlighten us with.  The amount of change she has experienced/endured with technology, and with society...  WOW.

-Brad

RatLer - Posted - 12/31/2011:  00:59:01

Happy Birthday to your Mom, Sonny...

chadhump - Posted - 12/31/2011:  19:32:08

Sonny, happy 102nd birthday to your mother! That is an amazing accomplishment and like others mentioned I'd love to listen to some of the stories I'm sure she could pass along.

Happy New Year!

Chad

John J - Posted - 01/01/2012:  04:44:28

Happy New Year Sonny and to all who read this.
John

From Greylock to Bean Blossom - Posted - 01/01/2012:  18:40:23

I did not realize that December 25 (1967) was also the birthday for Rocky Top! Here is an article along with a video of the song:



bluegrasstoday.com/35276/on-this-day-5/



That song was a ground shaker!

Sonny, do you think of that each year along with Christmas?

Is the Vega in that video the one The Big K is using now?

Ken

Edited by - From Greylock to Bean Blossom on 01/01/2012 18:45:41

El Dobro - Posted - 01/01/2012:  22:27:33

102! God bless her. And a Happy New Years, too.

kathy315 - Posted - 01/02/2012:  15:27:34

Sonny, I am a little late to the party but please wish your mother a very Happy Birthday!! And hope you all are having a great new year..

TheChief - Posted - 01/02/2012:  15:51:17

Sadly inform you of the passing of Lonnie Brock. Mandolin player, brother of Carlos Brock. Carlos played for Bill Monroe for a while. I played the banjo with these guys in Dayton Ohio. I was 15 years old. We played at Johnnie's Night Club on Wayne Ave. in Dayton. About 1953.

~

s

Sonny Osborne Banjo Co.

PO Box 647

Hendersonville, TN. 37077

615-824-0096

chiefbanjo@comcast.net

Sonnyosborne.com

In God We Trust

TheChief - Posted - 01/03/2012:  10:37:50

December 25 was definitely Rocky Top's 44th birthday. Truly a gift from The Almighty.  Actually, we didn't know what was happening at the time nor what to expect later. I can't remember the actual fact, but we were told that it was the second most played (progammed) Bluegrass song of all time, behind Foggy Mtn. Breakdown. This is so small in comparison to a Brooks and Dunn, Garth Brooks and others, but to us it was BIG. (Imagine how McArtney and Lennon felt)

Sounds like I'm bragging a little bit huh? I guess I might be. I'm proud of that stuff!! No ego, nor conceit. You that know me, know better than to even think that. Just very proud.

And yes, I give thanks for, and think of Rocky Top almost daily. For some it has happened many times, but every entertainer should have that experience once, at least.  

If it's a Vega it's the same one Kenny is playing. I recorded it with the RB3 that Aaron McDaris now owns.

~

s

Sonny Osborne Banjo Co.

PO Box 647

Hendersonville, TN. 37077

615-824-0096

chiefbanjo@comcast.net

Sonnyosborne.com

In God We Trust

RatLer - Posted - 01/03/2012:  15:21:31

Rocky Top and Foggy Mtn. Breakdown were the two songs that got me hooked on the banjo more than 40 years ago....boy, it's been fun....

Edited by - RatLer on 01/03/2012 15:22:04

markbyrum - Posted - 01/03/2012:  15:54:47

Sonny:
The Vega in the video is the six-string "Sonny Osborne" model. Did you typically tune the "extra" low string down to "C"? or what?
Mark Byrum

CurtissWhite - Posted - 01/04/2012:  04:45:38

Sonny! Since Rocky Top has been mentioned, I've always wanted ta ask ya. Whut's up with this? 

Edited by - CurtissWhite on 01/04/2012 04:47:23

 

From Greylock to Bean Blossom - Posted - 01/04/2012:  05:06:00

Sonny,

Funny thing, I watched this video of Rocky Top again:

bluegrasstoday.com/35276/on-this-day-5/

and at the 2:04-2:05 mark saw you horsing around and blowing in Ronnie Reno's ear when all three of you were at the microphone singing. It is amazing the things that are showing up years later in internet videos. This is kind of like the one that just appeared on the hangout where Uncle Jake is messing with the bass and almost drops it and Earl gives him the stern "Don't do that again" look. Fun stuff.

Ken

Ps I have found out that if a link like I posted above does not come in blue colored and cannot be clicked to access the site: then just highlight it and right click and you can open it that way.

Edited by - From Greylock to Bean Blossom on 01/04/2012 05:09:29

FatManMary - Posted - 01/04/2012:  08:55:04

I just went through the 2 Osborne Brothers box sets that Bear Family put out last night. Now I've heard all the songs a ton of times before but never all in a row like that. You guys had it and a lot of it. Truly an amazing catalog. I just wish I could have had the pleasure of seeing you live and in person. You and Bob are a HUGE influence on me. I even play a Vega like one of the ones you used to play. At least it has the same inlay I don't know if it's that close pot wise. Just wanted to say thanks Sonny, thanks for all the great picking and the great singing. One of the best band ever.

TheChief - Posted - 01/04/2012:  14:10:51

If it's the 6 string banjo, the tuning went like this from bottom to top.

D..B..G..D..G (octave lower than third) G. (short string) "Listening To The Rain" was the first song recorded with the 6 string. On that song I tuned it to C.

One would be surprised at the conversations going on during a show...on stage. We always tried to have fun with music and also play as well as we could during the fun. People seemed to enjoy that.

Most all those Vega pots were the same. The one Ingram plays is a little different but I don't believe that banjo was ever in production.  They were good.

Curtiss:

I don't know about that.

Rocky Top was just outside Gatlinburg Tennessee. And, I don't think it existed before the song. The song came from Boudleaux and Felice Bryant's imagination, then someone, somehow, found a place in the Smokey's and called it Rocky Top. 

~

s

Sonny Osborne Banjo Co.

PO Box 647

Hendersonville, TN. 37077

615-824-0096

chiefbanjo@comcast.net

Sonnyosborne.com

In God We Trust