TheChief - Posted - 01/25/2014:  13:07:20

Chris;

The hardware appears to be nickel but the tailpiece is dull while the other hardware is shiny. The inlay is Block.

I sent a raised head RB3 to them at about the same time for a fret job, and when I got it back it had block inlay. So, maybe that's just something they did, although I didn't hear of it happening to anyone else. Maybe me and Earl were were the only ones just dumb enough to send our banjos to them for repair. :) But, in the early 50's there wasn't much else.

~

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 01/25/2014 13:09:47

RayD - Posted - 01/25/2014:  13:55:46

Chief, you'd know for sure - was it really the same neck that you got back? You'd know since it was yours; but, I can't help but wonder if they didn't just put a "new" neck on your banjo with your hardware (tuners) and spikes where you had them. Inquiring minds want to know!

Cheers,

RayD

as606 - Posted - 01/25/2014:  14:33:12

Sonny,

  I don't know if you been asked before, but do you remember who done the blowing winds sounds on Bill Monroe's 1952 recording of "In the Pines" that you were on?

TheChief - Posted - 01/25/2014:  23:07:48

It was the original neck. Instead of doing a fret job they simply put a new fingerboard on it with the new frets and block inlay already in place. In those days no one cared about banjos as they did later, in the 60's until now. As late as 1958 an original 5 string flathead could be bought for very little. In 1956 I paid $250 for a 5 string flathead RB 3.

as606;
The blowing wind sound was done by fiddle player Charlie Cline.
Other personnel included Bill, Jimmy Martin, 14 yr old me, and Ernie Newton played bass.
On that same session we recorded "Walking In Jerusalem Just Like John" on which Boudleaux Bryant sang bass. Later to become one of the greatest song writers in history...he also wrote Rocky Top..15 years later.
History is amazing, Huh?
~
s
Sonny Osborne Banjo Co.
PO Box 647
Hendersonville,TN.37075
chiefbanjo@comcast.net
sonnyosborne.com
615-824-0096
IN GOD WE TRUST

as606 - Posted - 01/26/2014:  10:04:07

Sonny,

   Thanks for the info on "In the pines" session, I always wandered now I know. I saw in the Bear Family booklet discography where Boudleaux Bryant was on that session! Crazy how your paths crossed so early. 

Old Man - Posted - 01/27/2014:  04:55:53

Thanks Sonny, great reading.

TheChief - Posted - 01/27/2014:  07:24:40

After that meeting the Bryants and I became lifelong friends.

~
s
Sonny Osborne Banjo Co.
PO Box 647
Hendersonville,TN.37075
chiefbanjo@comcast.net
sonnyosborne.com
615-824-0096
IN GOD WE TRUST

markbyrum - Posted - 01/27/2014:  18:01:24

After all this "food" talk, here's a Osborne banjo note.  I saw Joe Mullins and the Radio Ramblers at the Shepherdsville Music Barn in Shepherdsville, KY Friday, January 17.  He was playing his Osborne Rocky Top Chief and it really sounded good.  I took a smart-phone photo (which means that in the dark from the second row, the photo quality is not too good).  Have a look.

Mark

 

Joe Mullins @ Shepherdsville Music Barn - 17-Jan-2014

 

RayD - Posted - 01/27/2014:  18:06:14

Chief,

Thanks for the clarification on the refret job. I didn't know that changing fretboard could be so "easy"! And you're right about trying to do that today - the banjo owner would probably howl! Sort of makes you wonder, though, how many original necks were swapped out for what was simply available....

Cheers,

RayD

 

TheChief - Posted - 01/28/2014:  07:20:07

Ray;
I'm not certain Gibson did the fingerboard replacement, but it would be so much easier for them to do the job requested and get their product out there at the same time.
I'm not sure they would replace a neck, although I know for fact that they replaced most of the important parts of Wade Mainer's Granada when he sent it back for repair. I'm not sure of the year but I think it was late 50's or early 60's. I believe Pete Kutkendahl bought that banjo and restored it to it's original state. However, I don't know whether he still has it.
Mighty good of Pete to care enough to do that, in my opinion.
~
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 - 02/04/2014:  16:18:58

Hey Mark...Thanks for the picture of Joe playing the Rocky Top Chief. He has recorded with it and it is performing well..In fact I think Bill Emerson, Bill Evans, and Aaron (on Rhonda's new CD) have all recorded with it and from what I've heard it's doing the job.
I'm elated.
~
s
Sonny Osborne Banjo Co.
PO Box 647
Hendersonville,TN.37075
chiefbanjo@comcast.net
sonnyosborne.com
615-824-0096
IN GOD WE TRUST

momo - Posted - 02/10/2014:  09:39:25

Sonny, would you care to share on how you came upon your RB-3 ,. Were you looking for one? and back then did you know these old Gibsons were special?

TheChief - Posted - 02/10/2014:  14:43:47

In 1956 those Gibson banjos were not so special but Earl chose to play one so that in itself was special.

I had seen a picture of Earl playing a Gibson with what appeared to be an X on the first fret. I was walking on 2nd street in Dayton past The Dayton Institute of Music when there in the window was a banjo with what appeared to be an X on the first fret. I didn't have a clue what it was actually, but I thought it must be good because Earl had one. I called my brother Bobby and asked him to come down and look at it because he was more familiar with those things than I. He took one look and said "buy it!" So in April of 1956 I went in debt for $256.00 for that banjo! At the time I was playing an original 5 string 1929 RB 3 raised head. I financed the $256..in my Mother's name. The payment was $13.00 per month.

That was (and is) a great banjo but I never got from it what I wanted to hear. Aaron McDaris has it now and loves it. Rhonda seems to like the sound too. So it found a home. (It's a 1934 5 string flat head all original) Aaron is the third owner. It was bought new at Popp's Music on E. 3rd street, Dayton, Ohio.

I never got the right sound I wanted from a banjo until I got the Granada on New Years day, (Jan 1) 1978 and that banjo was a breath of fresh air. It produced what I heard and more...much more.

~

s

Edited by - TheChief on 02/10/2014 14:47:36

thebanjobert - Posted - 02/10/2014:  16:43:16

That's a great story, sir!!

Thanks,

Terry

mahogchief01 - Posted - 02/10/2014:  17:57:20

I feel fortunate that I got to play those two banjo's side by side. And I agree with Sonny. The RB3 is a good banjo, but that Granada just has whatever "it" is. I have played many, many, original flathead banjo's, and there is something about that Granada that I haven't heard or "felt" in any other banjo. That includes Earl's, J.D.'s, and countless others. Of course, this is just my opinion. When I finally put down THE Granada, it was as if it looked at me and said "is that all you got?". ha. Here's a short story on that Granada. My Dad got to look at it VERY close in the summer of either 94 or 95 and it had one nickel hook on it and he has worried ever since about that. He asks me once in a while about it. I told him that hopefully we can get him, Sonny, and the Granada together again so he can see that it has been put back right. If any of you ever get a chance to play it, don't pass it up. However, it will leave you with the feeling that the banjo you have will never affect you in the same way. Don't get me wrong....I have some great banjo's, but they just don't hold up to that Granada. My Chief banjo is close, but still not the same.

Mickey Flatt

bhrb75 - Posted - 02/11/2014:  08:27:23

I've been fortunate enough to play the Granada several times and it's still my favorite banjo. I'll never forget the first time I played the Granada. It was at Cherokee in June of 2003. Before their first set that day I ran into Sonny and asked him very politely, "If it's not too busy after the set, could I stand in front of you and hear the Granada away from a microphone." Sonny's reply was simple: "Come down to the lounge after the set." The lounge is situated below the porch and had a bunch of pool tables and some concessions. Three or four songs before the end of the set I made my way down to the lounge and waited with baited breath for Sonny to come in, having great trepidation that he was going to forget my request and busy himself with doing business; which I understood totally. Glen Duncan was in the room having a conversation with someone and all of a sudden, Sonny comes into the lounge with a huge grin and loudly shouts: "Hey Glen, listen to this!" He began to play Grady Martin's kickoff to E Paso and my jaw hit the floor. Sonny walked over to where I was standing and he pointed to a chair that was behind me, and he said sternly: "See that chair?" I looked around and nodded yes. He said: "Sit down." So I sat down and he handed the banjo over to me. My shaking hands began to play "Little Darlin' Pal of Mine," and "Lonesome Road Blues." I'll never forget the tone the exploded out of that banjo. It's like there was a built in loudspeaker under the head that was just pumping out sound. James King was in the room and came walking over and asked Sonny while I was playing: "Who's that guy? Sonny said kind of under his breath: "He's some kid that lives around here." James said: "Boy's pretty good aint' he?" Sonny said: " He can play his a%@ off." Thank you for that Chief, that was a good day!

Brandon

Scaggs7 - Posted - 02/12/2014:  15:48:12

Sonny
Willow Osborne , the little girl that plays banjo, is she any kin to you

mahogchief01 - Posted - 02/12/2014:  18:50:56

Sonny,

Here's a link to a video of Earl from 1956. Don't know if you have seen this or not....but Earl is on! Looks like Lester is playing a D-18. Has Paul Warren on fiddle and Uncle Josh playing bass. youtube.com/watch?v=URAttAsnAeo


Mickey

From Greylock to Bean Blossom - Posted - 02/12/2014:  19:05:42

Live link:

youtube.com/watch?v=URAttAsnAeo

mahogchief01 - Posted - 02/12/2014:  19:10:06

If you watch the video, the two bottom thumbscrews are missing on the flange. ha

Mickey

Goldstarman - Posted - 02/13/2014:  06:51:46

Love Lester's guitar playing........so smooth

jfb - Posted - 02/13/2014:  07:32:01

quote:

---

Originally posted by bhrb75

I've been fortunate enough to play the Granada several times and it's still my favorite banjo. I'll never forget the first time I played the Granada.



Brandon

---

For those who may have an interest, here he is picking it at Banjothon in 2010..the first tune is Lonesome Road Blues with Brandon picking Sonny's Granada

banjohangout.org/myhangout/med...;archived=

TheChief - Posted - 02/15/2014:  13:21:24

Joe Mullins and the Radio Ramblers are doing the 8:15 spot on the Opry and Ernest Tubb's Midnight Jamboree tonight.(12 Midnight till... with Larry Cordle and his band) It is broadcast on WSM AM radio (650) or WSM.com if you would like to hear a Rocky Top Chief banjo.

Joe and his band are good, and have a CD out right now with Junior Sisk.

And listen to this...The Osborne Brothers are due to have an 8 song album release on Pinecastle Records in June. When we left MCA we were half done with an album and due to a disagreement with their managerial prowess, or lack there-of, we decided it best to depart. We bought the masters and they are to be released in June. They were recorded in 1974.

Interesting, huh?

~

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 02/15/2014 13:23:47

Ebanjo - Posted - 02/16/2014:  12:20:36

Looking forward to getting a copy of that MCA stuff on Pinecastle Sonny. From the names of the titles it should be very interesting and good.
Eric Ellis

TheChief - Posted - 02/17/2014:  06:35:21

Mr. Skaggs7;

To my knowledge Ms. Willow is not a relative. I must try to find out more about her...age, hometown, etc.If anyone will put me in touch with her I would appreciate it greatly!

~

s

Sonny Osborne Banjo Co.

PO Box 647

Hendersonville,TN.37075

chiefbanjo@comcast.net

sonnyosborne.com

615-824-0096

IN GOD WE TRUST

bhrb75 - Posted - 02/18/2014:  06:55:06

That's a big "me too" Eric! Heard a clip of "Gonna Be Raining Til I Die" on Bluegrass Today's website and it's pretty tough!

Scaggs7 - Posted - 02/18/2014:  16:40:28

Sonny ,
She is playing one of your songs-- Siempre--
Google -- Siempre Osnorne - and she come up on utube

TheChief - Posted - 02/20/2014:  09:51:59

Funny..we share the same last name, and I go to Pigeon Forge often, and I have never heard of (nor from) her...but the fact is, I don't get out much. My big day in Pigeon Forge is going to the Golden Coral with my best friends, (Jim and Trish Smith and Byron Robins) and having dinner and telling stories.

Next time I'm there I will try to look her up..I'd like to hear her play..

~

s

Scaggs7 - Posted - 02/20/2014:  19:19:10

Sonny
As young as she is and with proper instructions she should be a good picker

I thought she did pretty good on your song with the left hand spread -- considering age.

I'm sure if you would talk with her that would be something she would never forget and inspire her also

If you do contact her would you post it

I'm sure the parents would appreciate it also.

Sonny, remember when you. did Swanee River (what year) and another on a 45.
I bought the records and didn't even have anything to play them on.
Oh, what sweet memories. I'm thinking abt. 1953 for the songs mentioned

You were my idol. I can still hear the sound. .what banjo did you record them with.

TheChief - Posted - 02/21/2014:  08:48:23

Mr. Skaggs7;I appreciate all that you said. To imagine that you are someone's idol is mindboggling within itself...and

it still shakes me. Thank you.Mr. Skaggs7..you are very kind.



The banjo I played on that record was/is a 1929 RB3 raised head, presently owned by Byron Robins of Knoxville, TN. He also owns my Vega 6 string banjo.

Those records were recorded in 1952...I was 14-15 years old.

Now reality..I'm not forward enough to impose on her or her family, however if they were to contact me and ask for my advice on how to improve on her playing, I would gladly offer. I just heard her play on utube, and with proper instruction she could become a very good player.

Again, thank you sir!

~

s

Jeff Markham - Posted - 02/21/2014:  09:06:54

quote:

---

Originally posted by TheChief

Those records were recorded in 1952...I was 14-15 years old.

 

---

Now, *that* is mind-boggling.



Did you ever dream that folks would be listening to those recordings 62 years later?

 

TheChief - Posted - 02/21/2014:  15:02:36

Never in my Wildest dreams Jeff...NEVER. I felt extremely lucky that it was ever released. (Thank you Lord)

They (the dreams) would be rather wild too, as I don't dream!  

s

Edited by - TheChief on 02/21/2014 15:03:47

Scaggs7 - Posted - 02/21/2014:  17:51:26

Sonny
In 1952 I was 10yrs.
I didn't know who Earl was.
I got my first banjo at abt. 12-13yrs. A Sears Silvertone

I heard people on the Grand Old Opera but it didn't know who they were. We had an old battery operated radio. Dad would charge it up on Saturday so we could listen to the Opera. That was it of another week.

stringman711 - Posted - 03/09/2014:  20:11:13

"Opry"   Grand Ole Opry.

Edited by - stringman711 on 03/09/2014 20:12:22

TheChief - Posted - 03/09/2014:  21:17:12

Yikes

I have heard Bill Monroe refer to the Opry as "the OPRA." Not the OPERA..... "OPRA"

Most new comers to the Grand Ole Opry call it the Grand OLD Opry. We talked some time ago about things that we hated to see go, well that's one of them..also most younger people omit the letter "H" in words where it appears...EXAMPLES of this omission are; When..becomes "WEN" and why has suddenly become "Y"  What is "WAT", Which is "WITCH", Where is now "WARE"...everyone doesn't do it but most do. I guess it reflects on scoolteachers just not teaching as they did when I went to school, brief as it may have been. WH had a distinct sound, it's omitted today.

I wonder why that bothers me....

s

Edited by - TheChief on 03/09/2014 21:38:37

TheChief - Posted - 03/09/2014:  21:47:55

Bill also called a BANJO..a BANJA...not Banjo nor Banjer (as I still do at times. A thing that is shaped like a skillet with a long neck is a BANJER!!!!)....but BANJA. And when Earl didn't have time to think about it he also called it a BANJER, as did most of us older people. My children make fun of me yet for saying BANJER.

How 'bout that

;-)

RatLer - Posted - 03/10/2014:  06:09:32

I generally say banjer, but sometimes have to correct myself and say banjo to those who have no clue what either is...!!

thebanjobert - Posted - 03/10/2014:  06:29:45

Sonny,

I saw Bobby on 'Country Reunion, Simply Bluegrass' on the RFD network this weekend.  He told the story of how you guys came to record 'Rocky Top' and then, of course, they insisted he do a little of it.  He sounded as good as ever.  Of course you were greatly missed.  Ron Stewart subbed for you on banjer - I mean, banjo.  Not a bad substitute to have, if you must have one!

Terry

TOMCAT - Posted - 03/11/2014:  13:13:06

Nothin wrong with sayn banjer. I have to make myself say banjo if i say it at all

momo - Posted - 03/14/2014:  08:34:29

Hi , Sonny I have heard that the MIMT roll pattern was a roll you  started using..first.. did you come with that for a particular song to get the melody more accurate or just to find a  different Roll pattern that Scruggs never did?

TheChief - Posted - 03/15/2014:  13:30:13

That came about whilst playing "Old Joe Clark" at a dance in Detroit..about 1954. Scruggs never entered my mind, it was simply the melody of the song. Sounded right and it fit more than just that song.

I wrote an instrumental, "Old Hickory" which used that particular pattern exclusively. Recorded on MGM in app.1959.       



s

Jeff Markham - Posted - 03/15/2014:  13:36:24

quote:

---

Originally posted by TheChief

That came about whilst playing "Old Joe Clark" at a dance in Detroit..about 1954. Scruggs never entered my mind, it was simply the melody of the song. Sounded right and it fit more than just that song.

I wrote an instrumental, "Old Hickory" which used that particular pattern exclusively. Recorded on MGM in app.1959.       



s

---

I've got that on "Bluegrass Instrumentals" and "1956-1968".  Sounds like the same recording, but the sound quality is different.

I presume that Bobby is twinning with you.

Jeff Markham - Posted - 03/15/2014:  13:39:43

Also on Bill Keith's "Beating Around the Bush". Is that you twinning with Bill on that recording?

Doctordeere - Posted - 03/15/2014:  14:20:35

Totally off topic, but... Sonny... Tina Windham says 'hey'.

markbyrum - Posted - 03/15/2014:  15:43:36

All this discussion about alternative spellings of banjo ("banjer") reminds me of my truck license plate.

Mark

Edited by - markbyrum on 03/15/2014 15:43:57

License Plate

 

Jeff Markham - Posted - 03/15/2014:  16:50:33

I sometimes say "banjuh" (or maybe it's "banja") because I'm too lazy to say "ban-joe".

MisChief - Posted - 03/16/2014:  09:32:51

I seeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee you.

---

Originally posted by Doctordeere

Totally off topic, but... Sonny... Tina Windham says 'hey'.

---

TheChief - Posted - 03/16/2014:  09:37:11

Jeff...that is Benny Birchfield playing the lead on that recording, I played harmony.

I didn't record anything with Bill Keith altho I did record with Tony Trischka and Bela Flake but I don't recall the song title and we did something with that pattern I do believe. Sam Bush and Tony Rice were also on the session.

s.

TheChief - Posted - 03/16/2014:  09:48:34

Jeff...Bill Monroe and Earl both called it a "Banja"...In Earl's case it would be when he was in "mixed" company, otherwise it would be banjer. 

You know, I just remembered something, I bought a banjo from Wesley Campbell in Dayton, Ohio in 1952, he called in a "BAINJER" and come to think about it, I've heard more then just him say that. I seem to think it was a Southeastern Kentucky term. 

The BAINJER was an RB150 Gibson.

s

Edited by - TheChief on 03/16/2014 09:51:39