Ebanjo - Posted - 07/21/2014:  13:59:05

I wanna hear more about this Carl Farmer fellow.
Eric Ellis

stringman711 - Posted - 07/21/2014:  15:08:53

Eric...... No you don't!.... lol

Tim13 - Posted - 07/21/2014:  20:55:53

quote:

---

Originally posted by Ebanjo

I wanna hear more about this Carl Farmer fellow.

Eric Ellis

---

I want to hear more about only hitting the 5th string once, and not twice.

Tim

stringman711 - Posted - 07/21/2014:  21:08:30

Tim. Nah.... You don't want to hear about that!...lol

TheChief - Posted - 07/22/2014:  08:48:58

I KNOW NOTHING.......

TheChief - Posted - 07/22/2014:  08:52:14

ONE OF THE FUNNIEST STORIES...
LET ME FIGURE OUT A WAY TO TELL IT WITHOUT INSULTING SOMEONE..

I'll get back to you, I promise.

s

stringman711 - Posted - 07/22/2014:  18:47:53

Sonny......it's not necessary!

Tim13 - Posted - 07/22/2014:  19:58:42

quote:

---

Originally posted by stringman711

Sonny......it's not necessary!

---

Let the man talk....hahahahahaha. 

If it's not suitable for public consumption, that's completely understandable of course.

Tim

TheChief - Posted - 07/22/2014:  22:35:13

Oh it's suitable, but just needs to be told in a certain way. I'm working on it..

s

TheChief - Posted - 07/23/2014:  08:16:18

There was this superstar (not named) who decided he would do a little Bluegrass. So he hired a banjo player. (I use that term loosely I might add.) He will also go nameless. So he recorded a Bluegrass song, and this superstar, not knowing a good (from bad) banjo player, used this guy he had so carelessly hired.

This "banjo player" had a habit of doing a lick where he would hit the Fifth, third, fifth and third. He sounded like a guy who was trying to learn the three finger style, but would revert back to the two finger way. I had met the guy. The superstar was a good friend which I had known from the time when he was not a superstar. When I was introduced to him I thought his name was CARL FARMER.

RALPH STANLEY ALSO DID THIS LICK and I'm not sure where Dana Cupp learned it but he did it on occasion and when I heard him do it I would tell him to stop using that CARL FARMER lick, that it didn't fit. It became a joke in our band.



In the meantime, (several years) I learned this guy's real name. IT WAS NOT CARL FARMER.



We were playing Clay City, Kentucky and when I peeked around the corner of the door leading to the stage, who was sitting on the fourth row, right in front of me but this guy (banjo player) and his Dad. You must realize, this had been going on for over 10 years, before Dana came to work with us, while he was still working with Bill Monroe. And the CARL FARMER LICK would still show up in Dana's playing now and then, and I would remind him every time too.



When I introduced Dana to play his banjo tune that night, I dedicated it to "a good friend who had come to our show, CARL FARMER!" This guy didn't know "HE" was who we were talking about. Our band, David Crow, Terry Smith, Terry Eldredge, Gene Wooten, came undone right there. We laughed about it from then to the end of our show.



Now, over 20 years later when I see any of those guys they will ask; "When have you seen CARL FARMER?"



MY NAME IS SONNY OSBORNE AND I APPROVE THIS MESSAGE

~

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 07/23/2014 08:20:12

Ebanjo - Posted - 07/23/2014:  16:31:48

Thanks for telling this story Sonny. I think I know who he is (at least I know of a banjo player that played that way or very much like him who played for a country superstar). When I hear that name I'll probably laugh now too.
Eric Ellis

Tim13 - Posted - 07/23/2014:  21:52:00

Good story.  Very funny!  Worth the wait.

Tim

Brett - Posted - 07/24/2014:  06:29:39

pretty sure I know who this mystery "super star" is and therefore the banjo picker, but won't say names.  Great country singer with a well known hard driving band that influenced future generations, but the bluegrass phase was bad.  If it's who I think.

jaderhold - Posted - 07/25/2014:  20:53:04

Hi Sonny,  Saw Bobby yesterday in Hiawassee, Ga. at the Georgia Mtn. Fair.  I picked up a copy of your Nashville cd and have played it several times today.  Enjoyed all of the songs.  The two Louvin Brothers  songs are standouts, but my favorite cut is Half A Mind.  Bobby really delivers on that one.  His voice is clear as a bell.  You did some nice work on the guitjo, and Gene Wooten plays as pretty a break on the dobro as I have ever heard.  Great to hear these great cuts.  Glad they were able to be released.  Sort of like opening a time capsule.

cabinwood - Posted - 07/30/2014:  13:06:15

Sonny,

Great hearing you and Bobby on WSM the other night. I really enjoyed hearing all the stories and music.


Terry McGill

gospelman97 - Posted - 07/30/2014:  13:28:08

quote:

---

Originally posted by cabinwood

Sonny,



Great hearing you and Bobby on WSM the other night. I really enjoyed hearing all the stories and music.





Terry McGil

---

I was a day late in seeing the announcement about the interview.  I can't find it archived on their website either.   Does anyone know if those that missed the interview will be able to hear it?  I always enjoy hearing Sonny tell stories!

Edited by - gospelman97 on 07/30/2014 13:28:42

fgodbey - Posted - 07/30/2014:  21:37:02

For those of us in the Kentucky Educational Television viewing area, next Tuesday, August 5, will be a special day... the premier airing of "A Kentucky Treasure: The Osborne Brothers," a 90-minute documentary produced by Russ Farmer, will be at 9:00pm, Eastern Time.  It's a great show; my late wife Marty and I were heavily involved as interviewers, researchers, and "consultants to the producer."  I've seen several work-in-progress versions and I'm certain that it will be interesting, informative, entertaining and well worth the time.

Here's a link to the KET schedule information for the show.

ket.org/tvschedules/episode.ph...OB+000000

I hope y'all enjoy watching it as much as Russ, Marty & I enjoyed working on it.   If you live outside the area, track down a pal and have him or her record it for you!

I missed the WSM Eddie Stubbs interview with Bob and Sonny the other night because the information didn't reach me in time; I hope this heads-up will keep folks from missing "A Kentucky Treasure: The Osborne Brothers."

--Frank

Edited by - fgodbey on 07/30/2014 21:42:19

BanjoTom47 - Posted - 07/31/2014:  03:17:41

I'll happily and heartily add my voice to Frank's endorsement of A Kentucky Treasure: The Osborne Brothers, scheduled for its broadcast premiere on Tuesday, August 5th, 2014, on Kentucky Educational Television.  I was also involved (though to a much lesser degree than Frank and Marty Godbey) in Russ Farmer's work on this video project, and have also previewed several versions of the documentary.  For fans and friends of Sonny and Bobby, it's going to be a wonderful and memorable experience!  

TheChief - Posted - 07/31/2014:  07:10:03

The interview with Eddie Stubbs was supposed to be from 8 till 10 PM but we were there until Midnight and could have done 4 hours more.
Eddie informed me that it will be archived soon although they haven't given him a time.

It was fun to be there with Bobby and Boj. I hadn't made a public appearance in a few years, and probably won't again, but it was a good time for all.

I understand Bobby and his band are doing the Opry and The Ernest Tubb Midnight Jamboree Saturday, which is after the Opry from The record shop on Music Valley Drive, here in Nashville, and broadcast on WSM and WSM.com world wide. He invited me to join him but I can neither play nor carry a tune in a bucket any more so..what would I do?

~
s

TheChief - Posted - 07/31/2014:  07:12:13

BOJ is Bobby Osborne Junior, thus B O J.
Nice man. He must 25 yrts old now, maybe a little older.
Good guy.
s

Ebanjo - Posted - 07/31/2014:  14:22:37

Just go stand up there on stage and look purty Sonny.
Eric Ellis

bcampbe5 - Posted - 07/31/2014:  18:56:45

Sonny, If you go, you may even see Carl Farmer.  

wjtank - Posted - 08/03/2014:  11:28:30

Sonny, I thoroughly enjoyed watching this video of you and Bobby !

youtu.be/52O32miytOs

Bill Tankersley

From Greylock to Bean Blossom - Posted - 08/03/2014:  11:56:11

Bill,

Thanks for posting that. It was some great music and it really had Marty Robbins smiling, tapping and jumping. you could tell he really loved it.

Sonny,

Was that the same Vega that Mr. Kenny Ingram is still making sound great today?

Ken

the picture was at Bean Blossom 6/8/13

Jeff Markham - Posted - 08/03/2014:  12:07:04

Sonny, some questions about the tone rings you are using....



The original Chief was meant to reproduce the sound of your Granada.  You started with the Huber, then moved to the Blaylock.  All three of my Chiefs are Blaylocks.

With the Rocky Top, you're aiming at the sound of your RB-3.  I can understand *not* using the same Blaylock that you use (*did* use) for the Chiefs.  So, you worked with Bill Blaylock to come up with a completely new ring.

Now, you've also switched the maple and walnut Chiefs to use the new tone ring.

I don't get this.  How does the same ring keep the Granada sound in the Chiefs and *also* bring out the RB3 mahogany sound in the Rocky Top?

I did play Bill Evan's Rocky Top briefly, but don't remember much about it other than it sounded fine.

wjtank - Posted - 08/03/2014:  15:43:11

Reposting, hopefully this time with a live link:

youtu.be/52O32miytOs

RB00 - Posted - 08/03/2014:  18:30:31

Love that!

The Pope - Posted - 08/04/2014:  10:14:42

Greylock, that is the Sonny Osborne Vega that Kenny plays. I saw them @ the Grass Valley festival & Kenny played the Vega in one set & his Burlile prototype at another. Both sounded like Kenny, even tho the banjos are different. Score one for "it's the picker, not the banjo"! 

fgodbey - Posted - 08/05/2014:  14:47:38

quoting myself:

---

Originally posted by fgodbey

For those of us in the Kentucky Educational Television viewing area, next Tuesday, August 5, will be a special day... the premier airing of "A Kentucky Treasure: The Osborne Brothers," a 90-minute documentary produced by Russ Farmer, will be at 9:00pm, Eastern Time.  It's a great show; my late wife Marty and I were heavily involved as interviewers, researchers, and "consultants to the producer."  I've seen several work-in-progress versions and I'm certain that it will be interesting, informative, entertaining and well worth the time.

Here's a link to the KET schedule information for the show.

ket.org/tvschedules/episode.ph...OB+000000

I hope y'all enjoy watching it as much as Russ, Marty & I enjoyed working on it.   If you live outside the area, track down a pal and have him or her record it for you!

I missed the WSM Eddie Stubbs interview with Bob and Sonny the other night because the information didn't reach me in time; I hope this heads-up will keep folks from missing "A Kentucky Treasure: The Osborne Brothers."

--Frank

---

Tonight's the night... 9:00pm Eastern time/8:00 Central... all y'all within range of  KET don't miss it!

--Frank

Gary Griffin - Posted - 08/05/2014:  18:45:02

Sure wish there was someway to get it to all of the PBS stations! All of us folks in GA would like to see it to!

TheChief - Posted - 08/07/2014:  08:23:58

Jeff...
quite simply, no one thing makes the sound of a banjo. It depends on several items. Tailpiece, bridge, head, head tension, strings, nut, tuners, and I think most importantly wood used for the neck and how it all fits together. The flange and plating are also involved.
The way a banjo is set up these days differs so much from the tone I grew to love as a kid, that I couldn't play one that sounded like this! You don't understand? You don't have to, play it, and set it up the way you want it to sound. It's up to the builder, Stelling, Deering etc. to make a banjo which will be capable of producing this sound. I believe The Chief is one that will. {;-)>

Bill Emerson heard the new tone ring, liked it, and ordered three of them. He told me the Maple sounded decidedly better, and of course the Mahogany is The Rocky Top banjo, but the Walnut did not sound any better..in fact it was worse, so he traded back to the older style Blaylock and the tone returned.
One huge factor is in the right hand of the player. How you, as an individual, play is different from anyone else. Like finger prints I suppose.

Rob McCoury used a Chief banjo on Del's album, "Del and the Boys" and Bill Emerson has used a Chief on several albums, they sound different, but rather good if I must say so myself. Going back to my earlier statement, they are both great players and know how to get the best from their banjo.
I hope this answers your questions.
~
s

Jeff Markham - Posted - 08/07/2014:  09:14:18

Sonny, thanks for the explanation.  I'll see if Bill Evans will let me play his Rocky Top against my Chiefs.

BanjoTom47 - Posted - 08/07/2014:  09:46:15

Speaking of Chief banjos . . . I remain really happy with #17, which I bought from you, Sonny, back in 1999.  It has the original Huber tone ring, and while some days ole No. 17 sounds better than others to me, it's always pretty solid.  I was lucky enough to be jamming with Michael Cleveland one day, and he leaned over to me and said "What is that banjo you're playing?" and when I told him, he quickly said "that's a good one!"  Still, I believe pulling its best tone is all up to me, the player -- and some days I'm a lot happier with my playing than other days <g>.   



I'll note in closing that my only  minor problem with my good friend Russ Farmer's fine documentary "A Kentucky Treasure: The Osborne Brothers Story" is that -- while toward the end of the video it addresses both Bobby's continuation with his own band (the Rocky Top X-Press) and Sonny's retirement -- it never once mentions Sonny's development and marketing of the Chief banjos.   As a happy member of The Tribe, that seems to me like a real oversight . . .    

Jeff Markham - Posted - 08/07/2014:  10:11:08

I love all three of mine with the Blaylock ring.  They sound so good that I don't mess with them at all.  Just touch up the head tension occasionally.

From Greylock to Bean Blossom - Posted - 08/21/2014:  18:55:27

.

This was the picture I meant to post of Mr. Kenny Ingram at Bean Blossom playing Sonny's Vega and it sounds good!

ken

Edited by - From Greylock to Bean Blossom on 08/21/2014 18:58:26

TheChief - Posted - 08/23/2014:  20:35:23

That's a fine picture of Kenneth.
I'm glad that banjo is finally getting the recognition it deserves, and I'm equally pleased
that it's in the hands of one of the great players. Truly great players.
Thanks for posting this picture.
s

Timeless1952 - Posted - 08/24/2014:  21:19:38

That Banjo sure has a "Gleam" to it don't it!!!!

K

From Greylock to Bean Blossom - Posted - 08/25/2014:  05:30:49

Thanks Sonny. It is my pleasure.
Ken

Eastbanjo - Posted - 08/26/2014:  17:27:47

Hey Sonny can you tell me about the banjo that Wynn Osborne used to record the Five String Magic album? To me that is some of the finest tone and banjo playing.

TheChief - Posted - 08/27/2014:  12:32:58

Tom;
You know, I didn't understand (and still wonder) why the Chief Banjo was not mentioned. The Chief banjo being one of the top line banjos of the day.
But then, I also didn't understand why Jim Mills, in his book of old famous banjos, featured my Granada but didn't use a photo of The RB 3, the Rocky Top banjo.

But one of the best lines ever..."IT IS WHAT IT IS" comes into effect here and after all the good things that has come to me,
I shall not complain.
Oh well, today is JD's 77th birthday...my 77th is not until Oct, 29...which makes JD older. { ;-)>
Happy Birthday JD my friend!

s

TheChief - Posted - 08/28/2014:  11:37:11

The banjo Wynn used on the whole album was my Granada..9584-2.

You are so right. At that time he (Wynn) was as good as I had ever heard. And I believe that would hold true for today too.
People just don't play like that...aggressive. And the tone people insist on these days is a far cry from how a banjo is supposed to sound. Compare todays sound as a bass drum, and sound "in the day" as a snare.

But if that's how they want to sound, that's how they should sound. And we old guys...me and Crowe...can dream and remember "how sweet it was!" When E played "Foggy Mtn. Breakdown" (On Mercury) and "Flint Hill Special"..How Damn sweet it was.

Peace my brothers,

s

momo - Posted - 08/28/2014:  14:35:50

quote:

---

Originally posted by TheChief

Tom;

You know, I didn't understand (and still wonder) why the Chief Banjo was not mentioned. The Chief banjo being one of the top line banjos of the day.

But then, I also didn't understand why Jim Mills, in his book of old famous banjos, featured my Granada but didn't use a photo of The RB 3, the Rocky Top banjo.



But one of the best lines ever..."IT IS WHAT IT IS" comes into effect here and after all the good things that has come to me,

I shall not complain.

Oh well, today is JD's 77th birthday...my 77th is not until Oct, 29...which makes JD older. { ;-)>

Happy Birthday JD my friend!



s

---

I always wondered why the Rocky Top Flat head wasnt featured in that book as well.

chief3 - Posted - 08/29/2014:  14:23:49

Sonny, I really enjoyed spending some time with Wynn discussing the chief banjo and other topics at Gettysburg. And it was a joy to speak with Bobby. A memorable experience, as it was when I first met you.

For those interested, Wynn was playing with his dad and was using a banjo made for him by Rual Yarbrough years ago. Sounds real fine and his style is not like something you would hear from most players. And I know exactly what Sonny means when he says "snare" not "bass". I would recommend that banjo players give him a good listen.

RJ spending a moment with Wynn Osborne.

The great and legendary Bobby Osborne.

From Greylock to Bean Blossom - Posted - 08/29/2014:  20:02:24

This is Wynn at Bean Blossom in September of 2013. I thought his banjo sounded so great and he was kind enough to pose with it on stage for me after

the show. When he plays there are a number of the pros sitting on the stage wings playing close attention. Some wonderful music.

Ken

Edited by - From Greylock to Bean Blossom on 08/29/2014 20:03:08

TheChief - Posted - 09/01/2014:  07:22:51

David Crow informed me that Tom Riggs passed from this life Saturday August 30.
Tom was former owner, and founder of Pinecastle Records and did a great service for Bluegrass music, as well as a
great friend. Details are not yet available.
This is in deed a sad day for many of us who were touched by his kindness and generosity.

s

TheChief - Posted - 09/01/2014:  08:02:42

I need to inform you that contrary to the belief of many, I'm still alive and doing well.



THE DATES FOR BANJO CAMP 2015 ARE, OCTOBER 9-11. SAME VENUE, CAMP MARIMOUNT NEAR FAIRVIEW TENNESSEE.



Those who watched the Russ Farmer documentary of The Osborne Brothers somehow got the impression that when I retired

from the actual picking and singing part of my life, I had either died or retired from EVERYTHING which is NOT the case

at all.

Our banjo camp took 2014 off because of a scheduling conflict with Cindy Sinclair's profession but will resume in 2015, as

stated above. This will be our 14th year.



Also THE SONNY OSBORNE BANJO COMPANY, is in it's 16th year and still in operation. Both are doing quite well.



NEITHER WERE MENTIONED IN THE OSBORNE BROTHER'S DOCUMENTARY. I've been asked a hundred times why, (which I can't answer) and are we still in business.

That answer would be a resounding YES.



This is surreal! And most definitely irritating, to put it mildly!



~

s

Sonny Osborne Banjo Co.

PO Box 647

Hendersonville,TN.37077

chiefbanjo@comcast.net

sonnyosborne.com

615-824-0096

IN GOD WE TRUST

Edited by - TheChief on 09/01/2014 08:12:12

TheChief - Posted - 09/01/2014:  08:16:05

Those two photos, KENNY AND WYNN...folks you are looking at two of the best ever.
~
s
Sonny Osborne Banjo Co.
PO Box 647
Hendersonville,TN.37075
chiefbanjo@comcast.net
sonnyosborne.com
615-824-0096
IN GOD WE TRUST

Russ1949 - Posted - 09/01/2014:  11:25:57

I assure you, no ill intent was intended by the omission of The Chief banjo from the documentary.  Having submitted the unfinished project to seven people, including Bobby and Sonny, for any corrections, no one caught this omission, including Tom Adler who submitted four pages of editorial comments.  In condensing a 60 year eventful career into a 90 minute program, something is going to get lost.  Hopefully the project as a whole will make up for any omissions. 

Thanks

Russ Farmer

Edited by - Russ1949 on 09/01/2014 11:33:45

BanjoTom47 - Posted - 09/01/2014:  13:33:40

I agree COMPLETELY with Russ Farmer's assessment of the unintentional omission of the Chief banjos and Sonny's other post-retirement activities from the Osborne Brothers documentary.  I did preview a near-final draft of the excellent video Russ produced, and should certainly have thought to point this out BEFORE Russ finalized the project -- but honestly, I did not think of it at all until after the final edits were done and I watched the premiere broadcast on KET.   Had I mentioned this in a more timely way, I'm totally confident that Russ would have found a way in his final edits to highlight Sonny's great work in creating the Chief line of banjos, as well as Sonny's ongoing involvement in so many important educational and inspirational activities like NashCamp and -- in fact -- like his participation in this ongoing Banjo Hangout forum.  

So -- for better or worse, as the old song puts it, "I'll take the blame . . . . "   It certainly wasn't Russ's fault, and I know that he thinks the world of Sonny and Bobby and all who've been central characters in their long and important careers.  I do too.  So I sincerely apologize to Russ, and to Sonny, for pointing this out after it was too late to help.    

             -- Tom Adler, PROUD owner of Chief #17