Ebanjo - Posted - 11/09/2012:  11:19:31

Sonny,
In my opinion (and that's all it is), "Hey Bartender" and "Lonesome Day" are among some of the best records you and Bobby made, mistakes and all. Some of it goes back to me sittng in the VFW at North Wilkesboro, N.C. and hearing you all do "Hey Bartender" when I was a kid. The other would be that the album those two songs are on and the other albums of that era are what I listened to a lot when learning to pick the banjo,as there was not a lot of Flatt and Scruggs music that had been reissued at the time. I also liked the cut you all did of "Cut The Cornbread Mama" that Benny played on. Don't mean to ramble on, but that's just some of my favorite Osborne Brother music. By the way, I think some of the younger mandolin players should check out Bobby's intro on "Hey Bartender".
Eric Ellis

mitchmanns - Posted - 11/09/2012:  15:11:23

Thanks,yes I did notice Benny having his own interpretation of some of the stops, some of my all time favorite music!!!!

TheChief - Posted - 11/12/2012:  22:24:21

Benny had a very late night before that early morning session, and well..yeah we can call it interpretation..concentration...whatever.  {:-)    I loved Benny Martin's fiddle playing when he was right.. I met him in 1954.

~

s

Sonny Osborne Banjo Co.

PO Box 647

Hendersonville, TN. 37077

615-824-0096

www. chiefbanjo@comcast.net

sonnyosborne.com

IN GOD WE TRUST~

AlWAYS DID, ALWAYS WILL

cliffyaun - Posted - 11/13/2012:  11:28:06

Hi Sonny, Great to see you are still involved in the music. I've been reading this thread for awhile, and finally the conversation has swerved into an area that I would love you to address. I was told some time ago that those recordings of the Flatt & Scruggs early morning shows (June 1953) were in fact recorded by you. The time frame would work, as I think you were in Nashville working with Mr. Monroe. So any truth to this?

Cliff Yaun

TheChief - Posted - 11/13/2012:  14:44:03

CONTROVERSIAL SUBJECT

No I did not..

The Flatt and Scruggs tapes were made by Bob Johnson of Murfreesboro, TN. Given to Earl who gave me about 52 hours of those shows. (Reel to reel tapes) To my knowledge, at that time only several people had them. Earl gave them to Pete Kutkendall to transcribe to cassette and Pete gave them to friends, who gave them to friends, etc. etc. Causing quite a bit of hard feelings which lasted for a number of years. He (Pete) was not supposed to make copies for anyone except Earl. All the above is what I was told by Earl and Louise Scruggs. If some parts don't match what you may have heard, I won't go there to try and explain...I've only repeated what I was personally told. 

The Monroe tapes from the 40's were made by an engineer art WSM, to whom Earl paid $4 per song. They were transcribed directly to disc by this gentleman. (Monroe, Flatt, Scruggs, Chubby Wise, Cedric Rainwater)* ,  I saw that band live in Dayton, Ohio at Memorial Hall in the winter of 1947. (I was 10) ..Where across the street and 1 block over 9 years later I bought the Rocky Top RB3 flathead banjo for $250. *Cedric Rainwater's name was Howard Watts.

Had I had enough money to do more than survive, I certainly would have bought a recorder of some kind and made an attempt at recording them. For Bluegrass music F and S  were at the top of the hill and justly so, they were the best...and if you listen to some of those radio shows you will certainly agree.

~

s

Sonny Osborne Banjo Co.

PO Box 647

Hendersonville, TN. 37077

615-824-0096

www. chiefbanjo@comcast.net

sonnyosborne.com

IN GOD WE TRUST~

AlWAYS DID, ALWAYS WILL

Edited by - TheChief on 11/13/2012 14:50:45

cliffyaun - Posted - 11/14/2012:  08:53:57

Wow - Thanks so much for the info on this. I didn't realize this was a controversy, just hoped you (from the generation that witnessed a lot of this) could help. The first time I heard this was in the collection of Lamar Grier who is a not too distant relative of mine. I never asked him where he got them. Then not long after there were a couple of bootlegged LP's issued of this material. So I guess these Tapes were making the rounds by then. I did ask him about the Monroe, Flatt & Scruggs Opry shows he also had. I was told they were recorded direct to disk. I've heard some that sounded like they were recorded on the Opry premisis, and some that were "over the air". Also thanks for your insight into those.

My intention by bringing all this up was to give a special "Thanks" to those who preserved the music.via live recordings. I was born in 1957, so I missed what in my opinion was some of the best years of this music. Without these recordings all we could do is imagine how great it was. Incidently: One of my earliest memories was listening to the MGM LP you & Bobby did w/Red Allen, still to this day some of my favorite BG!

Also didn't mean to offend & hope it was not taken that way Thanks for all you've done & continue to do.

Cliff Yaun

RatLer - Posted - 11/15/2012:  04:51:54

Sonny, not sure if you knew him, but you probably did...Red Spurlock (of Fairborn, Ohio) passed away this week. Funeral is today. He did alot for the bluegrass scene in and around the Dayton area. Fine banjo and dobro picker and musician. A true gentleman.

TheChief - Posted - 11/15/2012:  06:44:33

Rattler:

I'm sorry to hear about Red. I knew him from the time I was about 13 years old. He was in the Glass business in Fairborn. He was also a pretty good mechanic. Anytime something happened to our vehicle, Red Allen would immediately say, and I quote, "Ah, Spurlock'll fix it!" And for the most part he would. He must have been 84?

You are so right about Red being a gentleman. I never heard him say a bad word about anyone, and lots of times he had every right to do so. Calm,cool, and collected would describe Red best.

Funny, now that I think about it, I never knew his real name. It was always just "Red Spurlock."

I guess you know that I grew up in the Dayton area. We lived on Sears street for a short time in about 1943. It was rumored that John Dillinger was holed up (at one time) about a block from where we lived. I still remember Rikes department store at Christmas time...Lordy, and The Purple Cow. (Restaurant) I have good memories of Dayton.

~

s

Sonny Osborne Banjo Co.

PO Box 647

Hendersonville, TN. 37077

615-824-0096

www. chiefbanjo@comcast.net

sonnyosborne.com

IN GOD WE TRUST~

AlWAYS DID, ALWAYS WILL

Edited by - TheChief on 11/15/2012 06:48:35

RatLer - Posted - 11/15/2012:  08:28:57

Sonny,

Willard "Red" Spurlock   1930-2012 

The Rikes building is gone now as well...And Dillinger was arrested in Dayton in 1933

Edited by - RatLer on 11/15/2012 08:29:26

caloscalzo - Posted - 11/16/2012:  16:57:38

Hey Sonny, you keep up with the Cats this year?  Was hard to watch the Duke game the other night, but I believe this is going to be another good year.  Go Big Blue!

Randolph Ginter - Posted - 11/17/2012:  07:28:39

quote:

---

Originally posted by Bruce4501

Sonny,

I hope you are staying cool here in TN!

I didn't want to diverge too much from banjo talk, but I have a somewhat related question.

WAMU (Bluegrass Country) radio is doing a "spotlight" on you and Bobby today, and they just played (What they said was) your FIRST recording called "New Freedom Bell"?  Is that correct?  They also said that along with you and Bobby was your sister Louise?

Do you have any memories of that recording your could share with us?  It was very interesting hearing you that early in your carrier!  I wish I could pick HALF as good now as you did then!

Thanks in advance!

Bruce Pierce

 

Bruce:

I saw your post to Sonny about the early recordings on the Kitty label. My Dad, Ott Ginter, did all the early tapes, jam sessions, and recordings. I have that biography online. It has the recordings, pics of all the records, pics of the Osbornes in the late '40's & 50's, and timelines of alot of the people involved.

osborne-brothers-early-days-wi...ter.info/



Randolph Ginter

 

---

TheChief - Posted - 11/17/2012:  08:48:56

Mr. Ginter:

With all due respect to you and your father, I would say this.

Before you print something for the public to see and read you might do the legwork required to get your facts straight.

Don't take this wrong. I don't mind the fact that you print this material because you're proud of your Dad and his accomplishments. So am I. It's history.  Ott was there and helped us when we were children. But GET YOUR FACTS STRAIGHT!

At least identify people using their correct names.

~

s

Sonny Osborne Banjo Co.

PO Box 647

Hendersonville, TN. 37077

615-824-0096

www. chiefbanjo@comcast.net

sonnyosborne.com

IN GOD WE TRUST~

AlWAYS DID, ALWAYS WILL

Edited by - TheChief on 11/17/2012 08:54:05

Randolph Ginter - Posted - 11/17/2012:  10:41:09

quote:

Sonny,

I have tried hard to get things accurate and have changed many things when I have heard. I have done alot of research. If any names on pics are incorrect, or you would like me to take something down, just let me know. Most of the history that I have came from persons, which whom I quoted their exact words. I want anything I put to be as accurate as possible. Names to pictures came from the back of the pictures. I already found a couple mistakes, and corrected them or put ? mark. I did not hear much about this from Dad, except what he wrote in some memoirs, got alot from Fred Bartenstein and Dick Spottswood , as far as the history goes. I will correct anything that is inaccurate, if you just let me know what it is. You guys are the Artists, all Dad did was get you rolling when you were young. The timelines and the songs seem accurate. Just Tell me what is inaccurate, and I will correct it. When I started the project, I sent you info and recordings, and asked for input, but you did not respond. I have always been a fan of you and Bobby, saw Bobby in Hayden this year, and really don't want you pissed at me. Drop me a line about any errors, and I will fix them immediately. I'm not a bad person, nothing in doing any of this for me, other than finding out about alot of things I didn't hear too much about. Like I said, don't want you pissed, I'll correct anything you tell me is inaccurate.



Thanks for posting and telling me something is wrong, but let me know.



Randolph Ginter

 

---

Originally posted by TheChief

Mr. Ginter:

With all due respect to you and your father, I would say this.

Before you print something for the public to see and read you might do the legwork required to get your facts straight.

Don't take this wrong. I don't mind the fact that you print this material because you're proud of your Dad and his accomplishments. So am I. It's history.  Ott was there and helped us when we were children. But GET YOUR FACTS STRAIGHT!

At least identify people using their correct names.

~

s

Sonny Osborne Banjo Co.

PO Box 647

Hendersonville, TN. 37077

615-824-0096

www. chiefbanjo@comcast.net

sonnyosborne.com

IN GOD WE TRUST~

AlWAYS DID, ALWAYS WILL

 

 

---

John J - Posted - 11/22/2012:  04:34:14

Happy Thanksgiving Sonny and all who are reading this!

John J

chief3 - Posted - 11/22/2012:  08:45:35

Happy Thanksgiving to all the American Chieftains (and those who wish they were)!  I guess that covers everyone. lol

Have a good day. Give thanks for your blessings and bless those less fortunate. 

TheChief - Posted - 11/23/2012:  14:40:22

WE HAVE MUCH TO BE THANKFUL FOR

alishabear97 - Posted - 11/23/2012:  18:47:26

quote:

---

Originally posted by TheChief

WE HAVE MUCH TO BE THANKFUL FOR

---

TheChief - Posted - 11/25/2012:  22:23:20

Thank you Alisha.

I did have a very good day. My son, daughter, grandsons, and great Grand son were all here for the day.

~

s

Sonny Osborne Banjo Co.

PO Box 647

Hendersonville, TN. 37077

615-824-0096

www. chiefbanjo@comcast.net

sonnyosborne.com

IN GOD WE TRUST~

AlWAYS DID, ALWAYS WILL

alishabear97 - Posted - 11/27/2012:  08:31:44

quote:

---

Originally posted by TheChief

Thank you Alisha.

I did have a very good day. My son, daughter, grandsons, and great Grand son were all here for the day.

~

s

Sonny Osborne Banjo Co.

PO Box 647

Hendersonville, TN. 37077

615-824-0096

www. chiefbanjo@comcast.net

sonnyosborne.com

IN GOD WE TRUST~

AlWAYS DID, ALWAYS WILL

---

From Greylock to Bean Blossom - Posted - 11/27/2012:  10:29:41

Sonny,
When you were playing I have heard that you went to a lot of different places, like horns, to get thoughts for adding to your backup. Now with your not playing on stage, are you still looking for or hearing things that make you think...this would fit there? If so, what are you listening to and what is your outlet for using new ideas.
I ask because I know that some coaches are always looking out for new ideas for play thoughts or motivational thoughts. They are obsessed with it. But when they get out of coaching, some let it go as they want to pursue new things to think about. However some are still stay with the search.
Thanks for your time in reading this.
Ken

TheChief - Posted - 11/27/2012:  12:02:14

I listened to every conceivable source for notes and ideas. And would use part of one item with another, or whatever the song called for. I was given the gift of being able to remember things for a very long time..years..and that helped me to do what I loved best about music..background!

Like a basketball player being able to pass the ball rather than score himself. I literally thrived on it.

Do I still listen for those things. Not much. By doing that I was never able to enjoy a song, or record because I was too busy hearing only what was going on in back of the singer.

Who did I listen to? Clapton, Paul and George, (Beatles) Grady Martin, Fats Domino, Floyd Cramer, Roy Nichols, Buddy Emmons, Pewee Whitewing, Radio and TV commercials..  the list goes on..

~

s

Sonny Osborne Banjo Co.

PO Box 647

Hendersonville, TN. 37077

615-824-0096

www. chiefbanjo@comcast.net

sonnyosborne.com

IN GOD WE TRUST~

AlWAYS DID, ALWAYS WILL

.

GrizClaw - Posted - 11/27/2012:  12:21:39

Mr. Osborne.....I wanted to take a minute to thank you. Although I'm almost 60 I've only been playing banjo for a couple of years. I never stop being thrilled at the fact that someone like you will come on a forum and talk with folks about your career, music, etc. Although I am learning clawhammer I really appreciate all forms of banjo playing and especially the way you made yours sing......Regards, Rick

From Greylock to Bean Blossom - Posted - 11/27/2012:  15:47:30

Thanks for your reply Sonny. I appreciate your taking the time and your sharing. It is always interesting for me to see how talented people think.
Ken

banjoman56 - Posted - 11/27/2012:  18:17:55

Hey Sonny, I just found this thread tonight. I didn't even know it existed, so this question may have been asked before, but here goes. The first time I ever went to see you and Bobby perform was at Tombstone Junction, probably in the 70's, and if I remember right you was playing a 6 string banjo at that time. Was this because of a hand injury or was it just something you wanted to do at the time?

TheChief - Posted - 11/29/2012:  12:40:45

I remember Tombstone Junction well.

The six string banjo.

I designed and had it built for me out of necessity, to fill a need. The fourth string is a D note and there are many songs which have a lower note so I thought it would be good to have another string to play with. It was tuned to a low C or octave low G. Very hard to learn to play smoothly, and even harder to go back to the five string when you play it for a few years, as I did.

I had three of them built. First one was built by C.E. Ward (North Carolina) about 1970. Byron Robins in Knoxville, TN has that one. The second was built by Rual Yarborough (Alabama) and Ron Rimmer who is from Florida has that one. The third, and last one was built by Frank Neat, (Russell Springs, Kentucky. That banjo is owned and played regularly by Raymond McLain of Morehead Kentucky.

The six string banjo is a different animal.

~

s

Sonny Osborne Banjo Co.

PO Box 647

Hendersonville, TN. 37077

615-824-0096

www. chiefbanjo@comcast.net

sonnyosborne.com

IN GOD WE TRUST~

AlWAYS DID, ALWAYS WILL

banjoman56 - Posted - 11/29/2012:  16:07:08

I could see where that would be hard to get used to. I have enough trouble with 5 strings without having to deal with another.

RatLer - Posted - 11/30/2012:  05:10:42

I've often wondered where that "6th" string came in...I'd think it would come in real handy for claw hammer style too.

TheChief - Posted - 11/30/2012:  08:49:53

Rattler..I never heard anyone play claw hammer with it but I suppose it would work. Be interesting to find out.

CE Ward built the neck exactly like the neck in my Vega Sonny Osborne model banjo, which I was playing at the time. I had asked him to duplicate the original 5 string neck so, that if my idea didn't work I could go back to the five string without anyone noticing the difference. He did just that.

Dale Sledd and I got the banjo back together and set up to play on Monday night, and I recorded "Listening To The Rain" Tuesday afternoon..along with several more songs using that six string banjo.

I thought the idea would work well enough to maybe catch on, but it didn't. I think pickers thought it would be too limited somehow, or maybe too hard to play. The most difficult thing was to only play that string when you needed it and stay away from it the rest of the time.

It served it's purpose. The first time Earl saw it he walked over and looked it over and strummed  1st. string to 6th and said, "It sure does have six strings don't it?"

The date I gave earlier worries me a little bit...I'm going to check that out. It might have been before 1970. I'll get back to you on that.

~

s

Sonny Osborne Banjo Co.

PO Box 647

Hendersonville, TN. 37077

615-824-0096

www. chiefbanjo@comcast.net

sonnyosborne.com

IN GOD WE TRUST~

AlWAYS DID, ALWAYS WILL

TheChief - Posted - 11/30/2012:  15:17:24

The year was 1970..on the Ruby album..Decca

~

s

Sonny Osborne Banjo Co.

PO Box 647

Hendersonville, TN. 37077

615-824-0096

www. chiefbanjo@comcast.net

sonnyosborne.com

IN GOD WE TRUST~

AlWAYS DID, ALWAYS WILL

RayD - Posted - 11/30/2012:  17:07:54

Chief,

I've got a question that's rattled around in my head off and on for a bit now. Do you feel that you got your Granada when you were ready to get it? By that I mean if you had been able to, financially, get it earlier in your career do you think you would have been ready for it as a player? It just seems that in many things in life opportunities present themselves only when we're ready to receive and act on them. Just wondering about your thoughts on it.

Cheers,

RayD

TheChief - Posted - 12/01/2012:  06:55:23

I really never thought much about it but I believe it has some validity. No, It would not have had the same effect had it come to me earlier. 

I had the RB3 banjo from 1956 but I wasn't able to get out of it what I heard in my head..and to me, it was hard to play. That might be a rather harsh way of putting it..I guess twould be better if I said I had to work harder at playing it, but other people seemed to think it played well. I say this because when the Granada became available it just produced everything I wanted to hear. I was definitely ready for something better for me and the Granada was it.

Had that banjo NOT come along when it did, (Jan. 1, 1978) I probably would have retired long before I did. Maybe 10 years. I can think of at least three other things that came along at just the right time. The Wilburn Brothers in 1963, Decca Records, 1963, and The Grand Ole Opry in 1964...and you probably need to add Boudleaux and Felice Bryant (writers of Rocky Top) to that mix too. The list would probably go on but those were life changing events which came along at the right time.

The HIGHER POWER seemed to take care of us rather well and I'm thankful that it did.

Ray my boy, I believe you've hit on something here. What is it they say, "In the big picture everything happens for a reason."

~

s

Sonny Osborne Banjo Co.

PO Box 647

Hendersonville, TN. 37077

615-824-0096

www. chiefbanjo@comcast.net

sonnyosborne.com

IN GOD WE TRUST~

AlWAYS DID, ALWAYS WILL

RayD - Posted - 12/01/2012:  07:27:00

Thanks for that, Chief. Would you care to elaborate on the other three and what it was about the timing of their coming along being right?

Cheers,

RayD

markbyrum - Posted - 12/01/2012:  12:03:37

Sonny:

  I picked up a CD at the International Bluegrass Music Museum the other day on my first visit there: The Early Recordings of Sonny Osborne 1952-1952 Volume 2.  The 14 tunes include: Mule Skinner Blues, Train (Train 45), Sunny Mountain Breakdown, Pain In My Heart, Raw Hide, Cumberland Gap, and others.  Who were the other players with you on that album?  Do you have any thoughts about this album you would like to share?

Thanks,

Mark

Sonny Osborne - Early Recordings - 1952-53 vol 2

 

TheChief - Posted - 12/05/2012:  12:36:13

Mark:

That CD is part of a three volume set. Recorded when I was a mere child. And like most 14-15 year old children, I should have been concentrating on more important things, (education and girls) and it shows in the music we played. I'm not too proud of those things, and in my opinion they should not have been released. But they were so we live with it.

Musicians involved, if I can remember them all, were:

Billy Thomas-fiddle; Smokey Ward-bass; Carlos Brock-guitar and some vocals; Junior Husky-guitar; Bobby Osborne-mandolin and vocals; Enos Johnson- guitar, mandolin, and some vocals. I played the banjo (or should say played at it) and did some vocal.

I can't tell you on which songs each guy appeared. They were recorded in Cincinnati, Ohio at a studio on Spring Grove Ave. in 1952 and 53. On the sessions where my brother appeared, he was on furlough from the Marine Corp. before he went to Korea. Carlos Brock was a friend from Hyden, KY who later did a stint with Bill Monroe, Enos Johnson, (Now deceased) was from Newport, TN.. worked with Mac Wiseman and Jimmy Martin, And I believe The Sauceman Brothers. I haven't heard from Billy Thomas in years..He became a preacher; Roy (Junior) Huskey became the premier bass player in Nashville until his death; Smokey Ward..(deceased) I lost track. Me, Been retired from music business for several years, own banjo co.

We were just a bunch of kids trying to learn how to play.

~

s

Sonny Osborne Banjo Co.

PO Box 647

Hendersonville, TN. 37077

615-824-0096

www. chiefbanjo@comcast.net

sonnyosborne.com

IN GOD WE TRUST~

AlWAYS DID, ALWAYS WILL

banjoman56 - Posted - 12/05/2012:  13:58:30

Well, I would say you succeeded very well.

TheChief - Posted - 12/05/2012:  14:41:27

I can't remember the name of the studio, however it was owned by Carl Burkheart...

and Chuck Seitz was the engineer.

~

s

Sonny Osborne Banjo Co.

PO Box 647

Hendersonville, TN. 37077

615-824-0096

www. chiefbanjo@comcast.net

sonnyosborne.com

IN GOD WE TRUST~

AlWAYS DID, ALWAYS WILL

momo - Posted - 12/07/2012:  06:15:44

Sonny, did you ever record some tracks with Chester Atkins, that were on his 'Country Pickin Album?

Brett - Posted - 12/07/2012:  07:44:34

Sonny please pass along birthday wishes for Bobby, heard on radio today is his birthday and he's 81.  You guys were so great, I personally saw you convert my college roommate to a bluegrass fan from your concert at Butler High School in Huntsville Ala, 1982.  You gave me a thumbpick.  He has been a big bluegrass fan since and I had to force him to go.  It was funny to hear him try to scream Ruby in the car all the way back to UNA after that show.  I'm glad you and Bobby both are still doing well.  Brett.

TheChief - Posted - 12/07/2012:  12:05:15

Chris..Yep, sure did. I did quite a lot of session work in the mid 60's. Chet, George Hamilton 4th,  Monkees, Charlie Pride, Carl Smith, I Did a jazz album titled Tennessee Firebird, Tennessee Banjo pickers, Benny Martin, Peter Rowan, Richard Greene.

Brett, glad to have been of service. You still got the thumb pick??? ; )

Edited by - TheChief on 12/07/2012 12:10:09

Brett - Posted - 12/07/2012:  12:11:49

Sonny the thumb pick is in a place of honor on my fireplace mantel for all to view, and I tell lots of folks about it.  I've tried it on, but never used it.

Brett - Posted - 12/07/2012:  12:22:11

But, I have to admit, the banjo head that you and Wynn signed in your motor home at Hartselle, AL Civic Center back around 1978 (or so I guess) disappeared somehow, to my great disappointment.  I had Monroe sign it too. Someone removed it from my college dorm room where it was on display.  That was very kind of you, to invite a 14 year old beginner into your motor home and spend some time providing encouragement.  That was in the timeframe you'd hurt your finger keeping your dog off a neighbors dog or vice versa and you and Wynn were both playing.

TheChief - Posted - 12/08/2012:  07:08:12

Brett..sorry the banjo head disappeared..send another to me and I'll gladly sign it for you.

The jazz recording I did was with Gary Burton. Probably the hardest thing I did. He and a bass player, and horn player came to Nashville to fuse jazz with Country and Bluegrass. He was well pleased with the results. The finished product sounded like a major train wreck to me.

I knew I would leave out some people I recorded with and they would get their feelings hurt. I'll try again.

I did the very first Hee Haw theme, the second Danny Davis Nashville Brass album, Terry Eldredge, Larry Stephenson, Daniel Grindstaff, Jeannie Seely, Jan Howard, David Crow, Wade Ray, Dale Ann Bradley, A German and English album that I never knew their names, A Chevrolet and Big Red commercial, and..that's enough. If I left anyone out I'm sorry.

~

s

Sonny Osborne Banjo Co.

PO Box 647

Hendersonville, TN. 37077

615-824-0096

www. chiefbanjo@comcast.net

sonnyosborne.com

IN GOD WE TRUST~

AlWAYS DID, ALWAYS WILL

TheChief - Posted - 12/08/2012:  07:28:37

Jerry Reed and Tony Trischka..

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

and Dolly Parton's 9 to 5 album.

RayD - Posted - 12/09/2012:  18:08:32

Chief,

Seeing all the names and projects you worked on listed out got me to wondering - did you do those things simply because they asked you to? What was your approach to doing all of those other sessions?

Cheers,

RayD

TheChief - Posted - 12/10/2012:  08:25:17

Ray..from knowing the studio musicians on our sessions..I realized that they were of a different mind set and wondered whether I could do that. Nothing happened for awhile until Chet Atkins called and asked if I were available to do a session.

One thing led to another and after a few months of this I found out that I really wasn't cut out to be strictly a recording session player. It's so different in that each artist you record with has a style and you must play that style, especially if you play a lead instrument. It was more of a challenge..which I was not up to.

I picked up a lot of knowledge during that time though. About producing records, the number system, and playing background and fills in a song. It seems so easy but it's really a test of discipline, playing what someone tells you to play, and how well you know your instrument...and what notes go where and when to play them.

Another good thing, I worked with some of my idols..Chet Atkins, Owen Bradley, and Mike Post, who does the music for just about every TV show in existence. He produced the Dolly Parton 9 to 5 album. 

Definitely not for me.

~

s

Sonny Osborne Banjo Co.

PO Box 647

Hendersonville, TN. 37077

615-824-0096

www. chiefbanjo@comcast.net

sonnyosborne.com

IN GOD WE TRUST~

AlWAYS DID, ALWAYS WILL

Edited by - TheChief on 12/10/2012 08:30:56

RayD - Posted - 12/10/2012:  15:34:34

Thanks for that Chief. Interesting to read how doing session work is so different for a non-session type performer. I'd never really thought about how much a musician would have to subsume himself to another "bosses" desires and style. Thanks again for the insights into what the music business can be like.

Cheers,
RayD

markbyrum - Posted - 12/10/2012:  18:16:40

Sonny:

   You needn't be apologetic about the quality of the playing on at least Volume 2 of the set (the one I had).  It sounded very much like the Bluegrass I listened to as a child growing up - my Dad made the migration from Country (and a late 1950's Les Paul Goldtop) to Bluegrass in the mid-1960's (and traded the Gibson Les Paul for an almost new Martin D-28) when I was about 10 years old.  Similar quality, similar style - indeed I likely heard some of those same cuts back then.  Were you playing with the same skill and finesse in 1952-53 when those songs were recorded as you were 10 or 15 years later? No, you had improved, as is likely the case with most musicians who practice.  I am particularly fond of Banjo Boy Chimes (listed on the label and disc as Banjo Box Chimes).  Didn't you write that song? It's a good one!

Mark

RFsquared - Posted - 12/13/2012:  13:02:22

Sonny
A question on recording, when you and Bobby were in the studio did you have your studio band with you live or do overdubs?

Hal, Leon and Pig always added to the overall sound. The live album at Opryland is one of my favorites.

Rick