bevans - Posted - 01/05/2012:  11:01:30

Hi everybody! Just wanted to let you know that a project that I'm involved in called the Flatt and Scruggs Tribute Band will be streaming a live concert from Berkeley, California on Friday, January 6th (Earl's birthday!) beginning at 8 p.m. Pacific Time. This presentation is from Concert Window, an online folk and bluegrass concert streaming service, live from the Freight and Salvage Coffeehouse in Berkeley. We'll have Don Rigsby and Kathy Kallick as our special guests, in addition to some of the best traditional bluegrass musicians here on the West Coast. We also have a nifty collection of hats and ties, and we perform and all-Lester and Earl repertoire.

Go to concertwindow.com for more details. Video is HD and the concert will be broadcast in stereo sound - and admission is only $3. Really, just $3.

Happy New Year wishes to you all and I look forward to picking and singing for some of you online on Friday night!

All the best,

Bill Evans

bill@billevansbanjo.com

TheChief - Posted - 01/13/2012:  09:45:02

Snowed here (if you want to call it that) last night but 'm still going to Banjothon.

~

texasbanjos - Posted - 01/13/2012:  09:52:40

Look at what just popped up on eBay:

ebay.com/itm/220932314133?ssPa...41wt_1104

From Greylock to Bean Blossom - Posted - 01/13/2012:  10:31:58

quote:

---

Originally posted by banjo5string

Look at what just popped up on eBay:

ebay.com/itm/220932314133?ssPa...41wt_1104

---

What is the device that looks to be connecting the 5th string to the tailpiece?

Ken

The Pope - Posted - 01/13/2012:  10:34:51

Looks like a fine tuner a la fiddle. It doesn't have a geared fifth string tuner so it' s to make up for that, I guess. 

The Pope - Posted - 01/13/2012:  10:36:06

Also, look at the old style capos & the bridge with inserts...

El Dobro - Posted - 01/13/2012:  16:19:35

Yep, a 5th string fine tuner.

markbyrum - Posted - 01/16/2012:  08:30:42

For those who are interested, Bill Emerson has just released a new video of his band's new release "My Baby Thinks He's A Train." What's that got to do with purchasing a Chief, you might say? I'm glad you asked that. Bill plays a nice sounding Chief in the video and there are a couple of good close up shots of him doing so. Have a look:
bluegrasstoday.com/36215/sweet...deo-hits/

Enjoy!
Mark

TheChief - Posted - 01/17/2012:  09:13:42

I saw the video. Aside from the appreciation of Bill playing the Chief...Bill Emerson is one fine banjo player.

If he had "one" he would play it off!  (As in; "Man, he plays his --- off!") 

jmillsapps - Posted - 01/18/2012:  03:46:48

Sonny, just wanted you to know that you made my nephew Jason's day when you let him carry your banjo into Banjothon on Saturday! He was tickled to death about that and getting to talk with you. Thanks, Jim

Woolpersteve - Posted - 01/18/2012:  07:03:39

Bill does you proud Sonny.His playing and writing are dead on what is supposed to happen .A great pleasure in my ilfe was meeting him and finally hearing him play in person a few years back.On top of that Bill is still a class individual after all of those years in the music "business".

PS He has # 36 .Who has #35 ? That'd be me .
Steve

TheChief - Posted - 01/18/2012:  07:33:24

Banjothon was, or seemed to be, bigger than at any time since I've been going. This is only public appearance that I make and it is really special to see so many people that I've known for so many years.My good friend Jim Smith sat with me all day. We should thank Larry Mathis for doing this. And, he's having knee replacement surgery in about 5 days. I need it too, but I'm waiting to see what all they do to him first!



My Granada was one of the busiest "people" there. It hadn't been played since October but it warmed to the occasion and played well for all who played it. That is one very good banjo. Man, there was a bunch of them there. I didn't see it but I was told that Don Wayne Reno had Don's old 75 there. (Earl says no, but i have always thought that is the Foggy Mtn. Breakdown banjo.) 



~



s



Sonny Osborne Banjo co.



 



 



 

Banjothon - Posted - 01/20/2012:  11:50:56

Banjothon - Posted - 01/20/2012:  12:01:56

Sonny, It was as always a pleasure to have you come to the banjothon,, I know it's
very tiring for you to have to talk to people all day and listen to so many people "playing"
for you, but you have so many fans and it means so much to them just to talk to you.
Again thanks so much for you being there.. P.S. Everyone has a name for their old
banjos,, maybe you should name your's "OLD CHIEF" ( just a suggestion )
Larry

gospelman97 - Posted - 01/20/2012:  12:06:05

How about "CHIEF GRANADA?"  Any other suggestions for names for Sonny's Granada?  Sonny may already have a pet name for his banjo.  I guess if he wanted to name it, he would have done it by now.  

From Greylock to Bean Blossom - Posted - 01/20/2012:  13:22:10

It seems to me when anyone says Sonny's Granada they know what  banjo is being talked about,  what  characteristics Sonny attributes to it,  when he came upon it,  how he treasured it, and how it motivated him in his later career,  SO I would think the name for it ought to be "Sonny"s Granada". It seems hard to think of that banjo in any other way.

Ken

Banjothon - Posted - 01/20/2012:  15:31:31

You're right,  that probably the best name, 

anyway that's what everyone calls it.

Edited by - Banjothon on 01/20/2012 15:42:57

banjoman69 - Posted - 01/20/2012:  16:28:50

I want to thank Larry Mathis again for putting the Banjothon on.. while I am only some 25 miles away, there was a lot of people from seemingly everywhere. And Sonny was so gracious as always and at one point they were lined up to just say hello to him. Sonny you are loved for sure. See ya in the fall again at Nashcamp, good Lord willing that is.
Darrell

From Greylock to Bean Blossom - Posted - 01/21/2012:  13:25:39

Sonny,

I don't know if you saw Doug Hutchens' post regarding you on his web site:

doughutchens.blogspot.com/2012...orne.html

Ken

TheChief - Posted - 01/22/2012:  07:49:30

I just read Doug's post and found it interesting. I remember it the same as Doug basically.  But, we bought the bus from Charlie Louvin,  the "motor home" was a  Sportscoach, and I did say the Flatt and Scruggs thing. (It still bothers me but I don't remember any tears) I asked Earl what happened and he smiled and said; "There's just so many ways you can play Cumberland Gap!"  I KNOW that Flatt wanted to keep playing what made them Flatt and Scruggs (Dance with who brung you) and Earl wanted to branch out where the bigger money was. To my way of thinking Flatt was content and Earl wasn't. Both were right!  But I sure miss I'll Never Shed Another Tear Etc. Etc!                                                   

~

s

Sonny Osborne Banjo Co.

PO Box 647

Hendersonville,TN.37075

chiefbanjo@comcast.net

sonnyosborne.com

615-824-0096

IN GOD WE TRUST

Edited by - TheChief on 01/22/2012 07:53:54

dale v - Posted - 01/24/2012:  17:45:09

well Chief,i always say, thank God for cd's & Bear Family 

TheChief - Posted - 01/28/2012:  06:56:02

Bear family surely did spend a lot of time and money on all those box sets. I appreciate the effort but at the time it really hurt our record sales at festivals, which cost a lot of people a lot of money. Also when they sent us the liner notes written by Neil Rosenberg there was so many mistakes you wouldn't believe. Eddie Stubbs and I sat in my living room for a lot of hours going over it and making corrections. Makes me wonder how many other artists didn't pay attention and let it slip through. One must be aware that when those notes are printed, they are there forever.

They did two boxed sets for us, 1956-1974 and 1974 to whenever. 

~

s

Sonny Osborne Banjo Co.

PO Box 647

Hendersonville,TN.37075

chiefbanjo@comcast.net

sonnyosborne.com

615-824-0096

IN GOD WE TRUST

Woolpersteve - Posted - 01/28/2012:  08:05:50

Sonny,
I never appreciated that impact of the Bear Family box sets .Explains a reaction when I asked about that subject at banjo camp.Not negative but not enthusiastic .In the mean time I have put my older Osborne Brother LPs on CD so they are easier to transport and play in the car.I'd buy them on CD but have never seen them sold that way. An excellent harmonica player is dropping by the play music today . Good thing he is better at adapting because I cant catch on to blues that fast.He is a good friend from high school and its good just to stay in touch.Music is a great way to do that .
Steve

TheChief - Posted - 02/06/2012:  13:10:23

Last night at SPGMA awards show I inducted Kenny Ingram into their "Hall of Greats" or whatever they call it.

Kristin Benson won banjo player of the year again..4th time.consecutive...so she has won IBMA 4 times and SPGMA 4 times. The Grascals won Instrumental band, and I think Daily and Vincent won everything else. All well deserved I might add.

Man, does that ever feel strange to stand before a large crowd again. My second public appearance in over 5 years.

~

s 

Edited by - TheChief on 02/06/2012 13:17:08

laceyth9 - Posted - 02/06/2012:  14:14:16

Just got an e-mail from JDMC that Snuffy Smith passed away.

Tim L.

Bruce4501 - Posted - 02/06/2012:  18:58:11

Sonny, You were looking quite distinguished in this photo!

From what I heard from those in attendance, you gave quite the speech!  Congratulations to you both!

TheChief - Posted - 02/06/2012:  22:15:49

Kenny deserved it. I was honored to do it for him.

Sadly, Snuffy Smith did in fact pass away, I believe Saturday.

~

S

From Greylock to Bean Blossom - Posted - 02/07/2012:  03:17:40

quote:

---

Originally posted by Bruce4501

Sonny, You were looking quite distinguished in this photo!

From what I heard from those in attendance, you gave quite the speech!  Congratulations to you both!

 

 

---

If anyone has that speech and if Sonny does not mind, I would love to hear it. I love the playing of the Big K and he is a special person as well.

Ken

TheChief - Posted - 02/07/2012:  06:12:27

I gave the copy to Kenny. You could probably get a copy from him.

Twas nothing but his history with the banjo.

~

S

Sheldon - Posted - 02/07/2012:  08:10:37

Sonny

If you were wearing some red saddle shoes with your blue shirt and red triped tie you'd look just like the GRich . . .

Sheldon

TheChief - Posted - 02/08/2012:  07:16:08

 Sheldon...Ordinarily I wouldn't respond to something this..so I won't.



Have a nice day.

~

s

Sonny Osborne Banjo Co.

PO Box 647

Hendersonville,TN.37075

chiefbanjo@comcast.net

sonnyosborne.com

615-824-0096

IN GOD WE TRUST

Sheldon - Posted - 02/08/2012:  07:27:54

Actually you looked very distinguished (meant as a complement).

Sonny offered to do me a favor a number of years ago.
I have always been grateful for his kindness.

Sheldon

Sheldon - Posted - 02/08/2012:  07:30:38

Actually you looked very distinguished (meant as a complement).

Sonny offered to do me a favor a number of years ago.
He likely doesn't remember . . . I'll never forget.
I have always been grateful for his kindness.

Sheldon

TheChief - Posted - 02/08/2012:  07:37:49

I meant my likeness to Greg Rich!!! 

If I could Sheldon, I would still do it too!

~

s

Sonny Osborne Banjo Co.

PO Box 647

Hendersonville,TN.37075

chiefbanjo@comcast.net

sonnyosborne.com

615-824-0096

IN GOD WE TRUST

Edited by - TheChief on 02/08/2012 07:39:07

picknman - Posted - 02/08/2012:  07:54:24

Sonny, the picture of you and Kenney together brought back memories of a time back in 1976 when you and Bobby and your band were doing some shows with Lester and the Nashville Grass. Ya'll played a show in my home town of Saint Pauls NC and Lester was back in Nashville due to Gall bladder surgery, according to Curley

 Seckler. I remember Curly saying, well Lester ain't here so we are really gonna cut loose tonight. As a finale you all did a segment of early Flatt and Scruggs stuff which to my opinion was absolutely top notch. I remember very clearly Bobby and Curly singing Little Girl Of Mine In Tennessee and how you and Kenny traded breaks. That was some mighty fine picking from two of the best.

Doug J.   

Timeless1952 - Posted - 02/08/2012:  08:28:01

Doug we did a lot of shows together back then in NC, VA & WVA . Those were some of the good times that I remember in my playing career. Flatt & Sonny always enjoyed giving each other a hard time.  Like I said those were good,,,, no let me change that. They were GREAT times!!!!!!

K

Gary T Meadors - Posted - 02/08/2012:  19:00:35

Question for Sonny ... 30+ years ago I took some banjo lessons from an Osborne in Greensboro NC who had a Granada he claimed was in the FON # sequence with your's and Earl's (I can't remember his first name, no relation to you by my memory).

Do you remember this banjo and any of its history? He offered it for sale at that time...but I was too poor and dumb to buy it.

Also... Could you say a word about the sound of the different Chiefs (maple, mahog & Walnut) and your Granada, 3 and Vega under discussion here. I am just interested in which Chief wood I would choose if I had the opportunity. I am new to this thread, so sorry if you have done this previously.

Thanks, Gary in Fort Myers FL

TheChief - Posted - 02/09/2012:  06:20:25

Dave Osborne..9584-1

Sonny -2

Earl-3

4 was a top tension

Tim Myatt-5

jfb - Posted - 02/09/2012:  14:05:04

Mr Sonny,

-1 used to reside about 4 miles from me when a fellow by the name of Dean Clawson owned it.  Dean is well known for his mandolin work.  If memory serves me correctly, it was generally known as the Clay Everhart banjo, then went to Florida to a man named Yokley I believe, then to Dean, then to its current owner.  That was a great group of banjo's for sure, I like the sound of -5, and especially -2..the best of the group in my mind, or any group for that matter

TheChief - Posted - 02/09/2012:  14:24:22

There is and always will be contraversy where wood is concerned. I guess we would be safe to say that it is a personal preference and depending on how you play and what you expect to hear from your banjo.

Myself I prefer Maple because of the sustain. JD always has had a 3 style which is Mahogany. Dana Cupp and Butch Robins has Walnut RB 4's that suits their playing.

Aaron McDaris now owns my RB 3 (with Rhonda Vincent) and Kenny Ingram plays the Roll Muddy River Vega. (With Larry Stephenson Band) Both have recorded and both are happy with them so once again, it comes down to personal preference. Bill Emerson,  Blake Williams, and Kristin Scott Benson have recorded with new Chief banjos, as has Rob McCoury. Before I retired from banjoing, (2003) I recorded my last two albums with a Chief.

The Granada is the pure sound that I want to hear. The Chief is designed and built to duplicate that sound, and I, like many others, have tried and fell short. However, I believe my Chief banjos are as close as one can come to that sound because of the materials used in building them. Frank Neat builds the neck (of which there is no equal) and does the assembly, Jimmy Cox and Bill Blaylock supplys rim and tone ring.

As always, If there is a flaw in workmanship and if we can't fix it to your satisfaction, Ill give your money back. If you're thinking of owning one someday, or soon, The last statement will still be there.

Best I can do.

~

s

Sonny Osborne Banjo Co.

PO Box 647

Hendersonville,TN.37075

chiefbanjo@comcast.net

sonnyosborne.com

615-824-0096

IN GOD WE TRUST

Edited by - TheChief on 02/09/2012 14:26:56

TheChief - Posted - 02/09/2012:  14:37:56

I know -1 came from Florida. My Granada came from Chicago. Scotty Wiseman (Lula Belle and Scotty) Supposedly bought it new. I'm the 7th owner. I bought it from Tom McKinney on New years Day 1978.

That's good knowledge you shared. Thank you.

~

s

Sonny Osborne Banjo Co.

PO Box 647

Hendersonville,TN.37075

chiefbanjo@comcast.net

sonnyosborne.com

615-824-0096

IN GOD WE TRUST

El Dobro - Posted - 02/09/2012:  15:26:14

Sonny, does that mean I saw you and Bobby in Staten Island 9 years ago, if 2003 was when you quit playing?

Gary T Meadors - Posted - 02/09/2012:  18:57:25

Thanks, Sonny, for the responses/descriptions.

I watched the Kristin YouTube and her new Maple Chief...but then I saw another one where she had a gold plated one (She was trading breaks with JD at a Grascals event; perhaps the one she sold recently?). I liked the gold plated sound better...but perhaps the new one just needs to settle in for a while.

Thanks for all the sharing you do on this list.

Gary T Meadors - Posted - 02/09/2012:  19:03:52

jfb ... I use to go to Dean Clawson's shop when I lived in Winston-Salem...over the river and through the woods!! I was too new to the music to appreciate his work and contributions. I assume he had some pretty good wood in that shop...hope it went to good hands.

Did/Do you know Joe Jones? I've lost contact with Joe...saw him about 5 years ago.

Bruce4501 - Posted - 02/10/2012:  07:45:16

I know the story of the Granada's and other famous Gibsons have been told over and over, but I SURE do appreciate you all telling them again!  I never get tired of hearing them!

Bruce

TheChief - Posted - 02/10/2012:  12:22:03

On November 23 2003, Myrtle Beach, SC..We were nearing the end of our show when my left arm just dropped. I told Bobby I couldn't do any more. That was the end of banjo playing for me. Everything in the shoulder that was attached came undone.  I had it repaired, but some parts were just not there. It was OK though, I was ready to stop a few years before that. I still have the Chief to be proud of however.

All Chief banjos are gold, except when ordered differently. Both Kristin's Chiefs were Gold.

Bruce, the stories are tireless to me as well. I love that old relic of mine..It really meant a lot to my career..their history is a thing of beauty..where they came from, where they went etc.Their cost new as opposed to now.

~

s

Sonny Osborne Banjo Co.

PO Box 647

Hendersonville,TN.37075

chiefbanjo@comcast.net

sonnyosborne.com

615-824-0096

IN GOD WE TRUST

Edited by - TheChief on 02/10/2012 12:23:38

banjorsj - Posted - 02/10/2012:  13:00:29

Sonny, Tim Myatt still brings that ole Granada out from time to time, and he can still get with it!

Bruce4501 - Posted - 02/11/2012:  09:37:10

quote:

---

Originally posted by TheChief

All Chief banjos are gold, except when ordered differently. Both Kristin's Chiefs were Gold.

Bruce, the stories are tireless to me as well. I love that old relic of mine..It really meant a lot to my career..their history is a thing of beauty..where they came from, where they went etc.Their cost new as opposed to now.

~

s

Sonny Osborne Banjo Co.

PO Box 647

Hendersonville,TN.37075

chiefbanjo@comcast.net

sonnyosborne.com

615-824-0096

IN GOD WE TRUST

 

Sonny,

Not wanting to get TOO far off the Osborne Chief topic, but being a novice and interested in classic banjos, is this your "old relic" in this clip of "Pain In My Heart"?

youtube.com/watch?v=7SmZJ9Xd45Y 

Thank you for being so accessible to us wannabees!!!!

Bruce

  

---

From Greylock to Bean Blossom - Posted - 02/11/2012:  10:01:59

Bruce,

Thanks for your post. I love hearing the back-up like that!

Sonny,

How is your arm now? Can you even play enough to mess around with the banjo like picking it up in your living room to hear its sound? Do you have any desire to do that when if you can't play full speed and all the time?

Ken

Edited by - From Greylock to Bean Blossom on 02/11/2012 10:04:18