RFsquared - Posted - 02/11/2012:  12:52:08

Sonny
We had the good fortune of playing with Bobby and R/T Express last Sat night at the Lincoln Theatre. I asked him if he remembered playing in Washburn, Tn at a festival where you had taken the bus over a narrow, crooked road to get to the festival. I remember you with a map trying to find a way out of that place! We had a good laugh talking about it.

His banjo player was playing a 6-string and played some of the licks similar to the ones you played years ago. It was fun to listen to.

I had a lot of compliments on the fullness of the sound my Chief has. I'm still amazed at the sustain this banjo has.

Rick

From Greylock to Bean Blossom - Posted - 02/11/2012:  19:32:13

Sonny,

I didn't know and I am very sorry it is to this extent. I can understand the life you led on the road being hard and wanting to get "home" but I had hoped for you that you could still get some satisfaction out of your Granda,  However from what I have heard of your banjos: they sound beautiful so you are making a great contribution there. Funny to think that some of the "Chiefs" might be hitting full stride in 2086. Keep the production going. If things turn right, I would love to have one.

James Allen Shelton just had a small stroke and the life you guys led, not only the travel but the hard type of travel, road food, irregular hours and lack of exercise: it is tough on a body.

Regards,

Ken

TheChief - Posted - 02/12/2012:  15:31:30

Ken..hey I didn't post that info for sympathy. I was ready to stop playing 10 years ago. I haven't missed it for a moment.  And, I still have most of my health.  I'm quite thankful for that. It could have been much, much worse.

Thank you for your concern. Man, I do appreciate that.

I just saw James Shelton Last month. He didn't say anything about his health. He seemed to be motoring along at his usual pace. Nice man. He made the strap I have on the Granada now...about 30 years ago, and he recognized it immediately.

~

s

Sonny Osborne Banjo Co.

PO Box 647

Hendersonville,TN.37075

chiefbanjo@comcast.net

sonnyosborne.com

615-824-0096

IN GOD WE TRUST

TheChief - Posted - 02/12/2012:  15:45:03

Rick..Do I remember Washburn TN.That was one of the two worst, most narrow, steep, ridiculous, roads I drove our bus over. It got so narrow at one point that I took the mirror off a pick up traveling the other way. And, before I got into it, I asked some man and he said it was an ok road. That he drove an 18 wheeler over it twice a day. If he really did that he was a much better driver than I. When that happened I had near three million miles experience...well, maybe more like two...but, a lot!

I bet he laughed about that for awhile. Probably still telling his grandchildren about it.

~

s

Sonny Osborne Banjo Co.

PO Box 647

Hendersonville,TN.37075

chiefbanjo@comcast.net

sonnyosborne.com

615-824-0096

IN GOD WE TRUST

From Greylock to Bean Blossom - Posted - 02/12/2012:  16:52:36

Sonny,

I was looking at it from my perspective. I used to play serious sport and now because of shoulders, knees and blubber I can't . Somedays I would give a ton to get in one more good competition and have the feelings that go along with it. I am a bad banjo player but like to just hear the sound of it.

Ken

stringman711 - Posted - 02/13/2012:  08:14:26

Hey Sonny. Remember Hoot Owl Mountain around Grundy?

TheChief - Posted - 02/13/2012:  08:56:56

Hoot Owl was pretty bad...it was one of the other bad ones for sure. Was it Grundy, or near the Southeastern part of Kentucky. I can't remember. There was another place where the festival was at the top of this long straight up mountain. The bus just barely made it to the top and when we got there three or four people were standing in the middle of the road watching us. That was in Southeastern Kentucky.

Remember the place where they hooked a tractor to us and when I let up on the brakes so he could pull us up we pulled the tractor back down the hill. Big festival I think near Olive Hill.

What a life!

Unreal!

~

s

stringman711 - Posted - 02/13/2012:  09:04:28

Remember it well! Yes, those were the days!

TheChief - Posted - 02/14/2012:  11:20:03

Poppy Mountain wasn't it?

~

s

Sonny Osborne Banjo Co.

PO Box 647

Hendersonville,TN.37075

chiefbanjo@comcast.net

sonnyosborne.com

615-824-0096

IN GOD WE TRUST

dale v - Posted - 02/14/2012:  12:57:27

Sonny, i remember a festival that was in Harold Ky,Kenny & I were there,the road was all muddy and uphill,they pulled you up the road,not much to your liking or anyone else for that matter,was a great show after you guys got there

stringman711 - Posted - 02/14/2012:  14:36:36

Yep. Poppy Mountain.

RatLer - Posted - 02/14/2012:  16:41:23

Poppy Mtn. is by Morehead in Rowan Co.

dale v - Posted - 02/14/2012:  17:10:05

the festival i'm speaking of in Harold was 1982. poppy mountain was probably later on? also there was a festival we used to play near berea called big hill, just some festivals that i played or we played together. Dale

TheChief - Posted - 02/14/2012:  21:50:26

Big Hill was the McClain festival. Poppy Mtn was near Morehead. Thats the one. UGH!!!!

~

s

Sonny Osborne Banjo Co.

PO Box 647

Hendersonville,TN.37075

chiefbanjo@comcast.net

sonnyosborne.com

615-824-0096

IN GOD WE TRUST

RatLer - Posted - 02/15/2012:  05:53:07

I've got a cuzzin that live just the next mtn. over from Poppy Mtn.....says he can sit on his front porch and hear it all...  Good thing its Bluegrass and not something else, I reckin'...LOL

TheChief - Posted - 02/26/2012:  08:21:46

I was sent Going to Glasgo by Allison Brown.

s

TheChief - Posted - 03/03/2012:  17:07:54

Joey Bonsall just sent me a copy of the cover from the Oaks new Cracker Barrel CD. "It's Only Natural"

Great picture of the Chief on the cover.

Ill have it up on my web site soon. Sonnyosborne.com

Bill Emerson, Kristin, and others have done this and I'm so very appreciative.

~

s

Woolpersteve - Posted - 03/04/2012:  16:01:43

Sonny,
Speaking of banjos ,UK finished the SEC undefeated .I figured the rest of BHO wanted to know.
Steve

TheChief - Posted - 03/05/2012:  14:42:21

Especially those from Knoxville, huh?

Recently two banjos were sent to Japan and I have Koji and Kaz to thank for these two sales.

I'll have their pictures up on my website soon.

This from Bill Emerson:

When you want genuine music -- music that will come right home to you like a bad quarter, suffuse your system like strychnine whisky, go right through you like Brandreth's pills, ramify your whole constitution like the measles, and break out on your hide like the pin-feather pimples on a picked goose, -- when you want all this, just smash your piano, and invoke the glory-beaming banjo! - Mark Twain

- "Enthusiastic Eloquence," San Francisco Dramatic Chronicle, 23 June 1865 (excerpted)

Enuff.

~

s

 

markbyrum - Posted - 03/06/2012:  06:13:14

Here's an interesting quote from a book I read called, "Everybody Wants To Go To Heaven, But Nobody Wants to Die or (the eschatology of Bluegrass)." I wouldn't necessarily recommend the book - it is a little unusual - but it gives a short history of the development of the 5-string banjo and says this:



"For our purposes we need only concentrate on the five-string acoustic variety and can assume that all other species are abominations of nature and that God will punish them accordingly.” Page 154, Everybody Wants To Go To Heaven, But Nobody Wants To Die, or (the eschatology of bluegrass), by: David Crowder and Mike Hogan; ©2006, David Crowder.

TheChief - Posted - 03/06/2012:  11:49:44

Very good Mark.

This just about sums it all up doesn't it?

~

s

TheChief - Posted - 03/09/2012:  12:04:06

Of interest to all. Rascal Flatts current single from their new album is "BANJO". How bout that. The album title is "CHANGED."

The video is kinda cute.

~

s 

apherigo - Posted - 03/09/2012:  12:46:30

And the gal in the video with the banjo is Glen Campbell's daughter.

Aaron

sonhouse - Posted - 03/10/2012:  10:25:17

I wonder if I am right about the comment I made about Sonny in this thread. If I'm wrong, I apologize.

It's around 2:46, followed by a scowl at 2:48

banjohangout.org/topic/230772/#2922519 

markbyrum - Posted - 03/10/2012:  14:18:45

I'll tell you what, if my hot licks sounded as good J.D.'s flubs, I'd be a happy man!

TheChief - Posted - 03/11/2012:  07:41:45

If that's the Sweden medley you're are referring to, gee, I was so proud of myself cause I thought I had played it through flawlessly, for a change. Just Kidding of course. My playing was so scatterbrained that I hardly ever played anything completely through without messing some part of it up. But I always tried to do what I heard in my mind, not what I was supposed to play!



Tell you a story about what I observed watching two genius musicians during their prime. The two were Earl Scruggs and Chet Atkins. I followed Earl so closely that I paid more attention to him. In the early 50's as he was playing, if he missed a note he would literelly flinch, as a person would do if they were suddenly poked with a cattle prod. Amazing, I thought. I guessed he was so acccustomed to hearing it always be right it just surprised him.



Now move ahead to the 70's. Chester Atkins, Floyd Cramer, and Boots Randolph did some concerts together when they were all on their game, big time. At the Ryman one Tuesday night I went to see them perform to a sold out auditorium. Floyd did his part, Boots did his part, and then came Mr. Guitar. Chet, on stage with only the drummer, played flawlessly for the most part. But, on one tune he just missed a note, and he flinched like Earl did 20 years earlier.



So, I thought I would do that too, but if I did I would be like a Mexican jumping bean which would not have been pretty, so I cancelled that thought before it ever got off the grround!



Interesting though, the two people I always thought were genius on their instruments both, without knowing, reacted the same when a demon popped up during a tune.



One other guy that I was around for 40 plus years of whom I NEVER remember seeing (or hearing) miss a note was Grady Martin. Those folks are few and far between.



Well, you'll be releived to know...that's all.



~



s



Sonny Osborne Banjo Co.

PO Box 647

Hendersonville, TN. 37077

615 824 0096

Chiefbanjo@comcast.net

sonnyosborne.com

IN GOD WE TRUST













 

chief3 - Posted - 03/11/2012:  08:08:17

I have an old instructional/performance tape by Chet Atkins where, in the introduction, he says "all mistakes are purely intentional". Great line.

TheChief - Posted - 03/13/2012:  06:58:35

Chet was also credited with;  "If you don't know the Guitar (Banjo) during the week, The Guitar won't know you on the week-end!"

And when he was asked if he read music, he said; "Not enough to hurt me!"

~

s

pfunk - Posted - 03/13/2012:  08:29:07

Sonny, 

Could you give me some info on how you started playing the honky tonk/pedal steel type of style you began using on songs like Fair and Tender Ladies, Sweet Thing,  etc early on?  It may be a silly question but, were you the first to use this style on the banjo and if not who were some of the other players you heard do it previously.  It's always been one of my favorite styles that you and JD both used a lot and I've always been curious as to the banjo history of it.  

Thanks!!!

TheChief - Posted - 03/17/2012:  09:33:37

I started using that method of playing about 1953 or 54. I had been around Buddy Emmons (Steel) some and he played The Waltz You Saved For Me and used that method. I liked it so well I decided I could use it on the banjo and by doing that I could play that song. And, there was only three of us at the time (Banjo, Guitar, Mandolin) and If there was an intro on slow songs, whoever took the second inst. break would be repetitious. So, I started using this method on the break, and that let to background too.

The Bluesy type playing came as a derivative of that style playing. One of the first recordings I used it on was Osborne Bros. and Jimmy Martin on RCA in early 1954. (20/20 Vision) But I had used it on radio and TV before that. So, maybe mid to late 1953. As I learned the neck of the Banjo more, I was able to do so much more music that I heard other players (Horn, Piano, etc) do which opened up another closed door for me.

So far as hearing other people and what they were doing on the Banjo, I neither listened nor paid any attention to anyone except Earl Scruggs. I always thought if I could get my right hand to do what his did, I could do anything. I wanted to know the Banjo well enough that if I could hear it I could play it. 

Maybe other guys were playing that stuiff before me, I don't know nor did I care.

I hope this answers your questions.

~

s

sonny osborne banjo co.

Edited by - TheChief on 03/17/2012 09:37:46

bob chappell - Posted - 03/18/2012:  10:53:45

I once saw Buddy Emmons do a showcase at a bar in Atlanta back in the early 80's. I came away convinced he was the BEST pedal steel player I ever saw. If your going to emulate a pedal steel players style, there would be none better than the Buddy Emmons.

TheChief - Posted - 03/18/2012:  11:05:06

Buddy Emmons is truly one of a kind. I met him in Indiana, at Buck Lake Ranch, when I worked for Bill Monroe. 1952.I was 14 and he 13. He was playing a 4 neck Fender at the time.

One of the greatest to ever play the steel. I never saw, or heard him get into anything on the steel that he couldn't get out of sounding good.

He's a good guy 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 03/18/2012 11:07:51

MickG - Posted - 03/18/2012:  14:01:20

Speaking of Buddy Emmons, check out this video of his playing the theme from the movie "Once Upon a Time in the West". He uses an Ebow in the second half of the video to play long sustained notes. What a great musician.

YouTube

TheChief - Posted - 03/28/2012:  18:08:23

EARL SCRUGGS died today!

JimmieSue - Posted - 03/28/2012:  18:17:19

Omg!!! Thats TERRIBLE! :(

stringman711 - Posted - 03/28/2012:  18:44:52

Sonny. I am very grateful for those get togethers at your house. Being able to visit, play music with, and just to get to know better the likes of Earl Scruggs, Benny Martin, John Hartford and many others who would be there was an experience like no other. You have been a true friend for more than 30 years, and I appreciate all you have done for me.

Woolpersteve - Posted - 03/28/2012:  19:00:12

Sonny,
Such a sad sad day .Most of us lost an idol , legend ,inspiration... You lost all of those and a great friend . So sorry.

apherigo - Posted - 03/28/2012:  19:11:56

A legend and inspiration that will carry my musical desire for a lifetime...  Sonny... Debbie sends her hugs...  Thank you.

markbyrum - Posted - 03/28/2012:  19:32:32

My wife suggested we watch one of the Flatt & Scruggs DVD's tonight after we got home from church in honor of Earl.  What a woman!

We will certainly miss Earl, but we have a recorded body of music to remember him by.  Whenever we pick up the banjo and pick with that 3-finger style, we can, and do, honor the man who, even though he didn't "invent" it, made it happen!  Thank you, Sonny, for carrying it forward to the next level!

From Greylock to Bean Blossom - Posted - 03/28/2012:  19:40:32

What a shock.

He meant so much to all of us.

I saw him in 2011 in Indianapolis and I am happy he was able to do what he loved for so much of his life. 

Sonny, I know how close you were to him and  I am sorry for you.

What a good man. God bless his soul.

Ken

pfunk - Posted - 03/28/2012:  19:43:42

quote:

---

Originally posted by TheChief

I started using that method of playing about 1953 or 54. I had been around Buddy Emmons (Steel) some and he played The Waltz You Saved For Me and used that method. I liked it so well I decided I could use it on the banjo and by doing that I could play that song. And, there was only three of us at the time (Banjo, Guitar, Mandolin) and If there was an intro on slow songs, whoever took the second inst. break would be repetitious. So, I started using this method on the break, and that let to background too.

The Bluesy type playing came as a derivative of that style playing. One of the first recordings I used it on was Osborne Bros. and Jimmy Martin on RCA in early 1954. (20/20 Vision) But I had used it on radio and TV before that. So, maybe mid to late 1953. As I learned the neck of the Banjo more, I was able to do so much more music that I heard other players (Horn, Piano, etc) do which opened up another closed door for me.

So far as hearing other people and what they were doing on the Banjo, I neither listened nor paid any attention to anyone except Earl Scruggs. I always thought if I could get my right hand to do what his did, I could do anything. I wanted to know the Banjo well enough that if I could hear it I could play it. 

Maybe other guys were playing that stuiff before me, I don't know nor did I care.

I hope this answers your questions.

~

s

sonny osborne banjo co.

 

---

Thanks Sonny.  It certainly answers my questions.  Good info.  As mentioned the style has always been one of my favorites and I was just curious as to some of the history of it on the banjo and your history with it.  I love hearing the back stories to things like this and it blows my mind to even think (at my early stage of playing still) the amount of work and creativity that went into it.  Thanks for sharing!

RIP - Earl Scruggs :(

Edited by - pfunk on 03/28/2012 19:44:57

notetaker75 - Posted - 03/28/2012:  19:58:21

Rest in Peace Earl.

TheChief - Posted - 03/28/2012:  22:35:38

The original Bluegrass band has all left us now. Bill, Lester, Earl, Chubby, and Cedric, (Howard Watts)

May they all now rest in peace together.

s

Woolpersteve - Posted - 03/29/2012:  00:09:28

Hard to imagine that has occurred Sonny. Hard to imagine.

From Greylock to Bean Blossom - Posted - 03/29/2012:  04:35:11

Feels lonely today. Like when Bill died.

whywild - Posted - 03/29/2012:  04:41:45

Sonny - I'm sure you have many fond memories of Earl.....is there a favorite you can share? 

Doug

chief3 - Posted - 03/29/2012:  05:27:27

quote:

---

Originally posted by TheChief

The original Bluegrass band has all left us now. Bill, Lester, Earl, Chubby, and Cedric, (Howard Watts)

May they all now rest in peace together.

 

s

 

 

---

RIP Earl Scruggs 

"And each one there

Has one thing shared

They have sweated beneath the same sun

Looked up in wonder at the same moon

And wept when it was all done

For bein' done too soon

For bein' done too soon"  

Neil Diamond "Done Too Soon"

El Dobro - Posted - 03/29/2012:  10:07:39

One of those things you never think would happen. RIP Earl.

kathy315 - Posted - 03/29/2012:  16:40:06

Rest in peace, Earl. If it wasn't for Earl Scruggs, I would have never met some of the most important people in my life.