fgodbey - Posted - 09/01/2014:  21:01:43

Sonny,

Part of the job Marty and I had as "consultants to the producer" was to look for omissions, errors and inconsistencies, and to insure that the historical research was accurate. In line with that I was given the chance, along with Bobby, Tom and yourself, to preview the documentary.  I spotted a couple of small fixes that were dealt with; but what you guys missed, I also missed.  Sadly, Marty was not around to participate in that function; she may well have spotted the omission!  All told, though, I feel that Russ did a great job in making the history of The Osborne Brothers come vibrantly alive.



As you say, "Lotta memories there," -- like The Northern Restaurant & The Outpost!



--Frank

TheChief - Posted - 09/02/2014:  10:05:51

First; I'M STILL AMONG THE LIVING AS OF TODAY...SEPTEMBER 2, 2014! { :-)> Actually word of my passing started 30+ years ago. Somehow there are those who want to be the first to report it...  



Russ, Frank Tom and Marty:



When this project was first mentioned and Russ Farmer's name came up, along with you and Marty and Tom, I knew it would be professionally done, and a class product upon completion.

I am sorry we missed those two important parts of my life after...! I'm sure others have gripes and questions as well, but I don't believe a better team could be formed.



I thank all of you for pushing until it was a finished product.

~

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 09/02/2014 10:09:52

Jeff Markham - Posted - 09/02/2014:  12:45:57

quote:

---

Originally posted by Russ1949

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

---

Russ, do you know if KET intends to offer the Osborne DVD as a "gift" for contributing to KET?  A few years ago, I contributed to get the JD Crowe documentary.

From Greylock to Bean Blossom - Posted - 09/02/2014:  15:46:51

quote:

---

Originally posted by TheChief

First; I'M STILL AMONG THE LIVING AS OF TODAY...SEPTEMBER 2, 2014! { :-)> Actually word of my passing started 30+ years ago. Somehow there are those who want to be the first to report it...  





~

s

Sonny Osborne Banjo Co.

PO Box 647

Hendersonville,TN.37075

chiefbanjo@comcast.net

sonnyosborne.com

615-824-0096

IN GOD WE TRUST

---

Sonny,

These rumors put you in pretty good company. Consider the following:

ATTRIBUTION:MARK TWAIN (Samuel L. Clemens), “The Report of My Death,” Mark Twain in Eruption, ed. Bernard De Voto, pp. 252–53 (1940).



  In 1897, Twain was living in London where a cousin, Dr. Jim Clemens, fell ill. The newspapers, believing Twain was near death, sent reporters to investigate. Twain made his remark when the correspondent for the Evening Sun told him his death had been reported in New York, and asked what he should cable in reply.



  Albert Bigelow Paine, Mark Twain, vol. 2, chapter 197, p. 1039 (1912), gives a slightly different version of the story, ending, “Just say the report of my death has been grossly exaggerated.”

Ken

as606 - Posted - 09/02/2014:  23:22:00

Sonny,
I've always wanted to know,The tuners that you had on your banjo when Jimmy Martin was working with you and Bobby in Detroit, who made them? I've saw them in the cast photo of y'all on the Casey Clark show and the song book y'all had in WJR. I believe that's right. They look like stainless steel or something like that. Thank in advance.

TheChief - Posted - 09/03/2014:  07:56:11

as606
As best I remember, Hayes Hall, a gentleman from the Knoxville area, made and gave them to me in 1953. He came to WROL radio studio where we were doing a broadcast and introduced himself, then gave me those tuners. By todays standards they were crude, but they worked. Flatt and Scruggs were working on the other end of Gay Street, at WNOX...The Mid Day Merry Go 'Round. He told me that he had just come from giving Earl a set of them as well. They didn't require drilling.
~
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 - 09/03/2014:  11:29:26

I'm sure someone else will comment, but Hayes Hall was the guy that had the Reno banjo "Nellie" and was the guy who sold it to Snuffy Jenkins before Earl got hold of it.

Brandon

as606 - Posted - 09/03/2014:  16:08:34

Sonny, again thanks for the info, I'd give anything to have got to hear or see y'all and Flatt and Scruggs at those stations. Do you know if the buildings where the radio stations were located are still standing ?Always appreciate the coversastion.

TheChief - Posted - 09/03/2014:  22:30:19

WROL was in the Andrew Johnson Building and yes it is still standing.



Near the end of Gay Street, before the bridge, corner of Hill Street I believe..

To my knowledge the WNOX building is gone. It was at the other end of Gay, nearest the interstate, and Regis restaurant. My brothers F5 Gibson Fern mandolin was bought new in a music store just across the street from WNOX. Jim Smith remembers the name of the store. I do believe CHARLIE BAILEY bought it there.



Ahhh...Those memories...can't run from them.

~

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 09/03/2014 22:31:58

Dave Magram - Posted - 09/04/2014:  15:08:38

Hey Sonny,

I just ran across this video-clip and thought you might be interested in seeing it if you haven't already..

"The young Osborne Brothers live on stage, hosted by Marty Robbins" - youtube.com/watch?v=52O32miytOs

You (with a Vega banjo), Bobby, and Dale Sledd performing: “Worried Man”, “I'll Be Alright Tomorrow”, and “Up This Hill and Down”.

Very cool stuff—I’ve always especially loved that funky stuff you did on “Up This Hill”.

Pretty radical arrangements and material at the time—I’m guessing the late 1960’s or early ‘70s?

TheChief - Posted - 09/06/2014:  06:15:05

Dave I believe that would be in 65.



Marty was a good dude, to say the very least. Never drank, never smoked, (maybe an occasional cigar) never messed with drugs, great talent, top shelf song writer, funny, good friend, pretty good race car driver, loved to sing, and above all, respected the business that made his living and loved his fans. He would sign autographs until the last person was gone..that's not hearsay, I've seen it on more occasions than I care to admit.



Such memories!

s

Edited by - TheChief on 09/06/2014 06:24:17

Brett - Posted - 09/08/2014:  05:44:54

I sure hope these memories make it into a Sonny Osborne book someday.  I think we're all waiting on that.

TheChief - Posted - 09/08/2014:  21:23:33

For reasons far beyond the control of mere humans, that project has been put on hold,

I'm really sorry but that's all I can say for now. I will have more very soon though. TRUST ME!
~
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 - 09/08/2014:  21:27:21

Dana Cupp was kind enough to jar my aging memory...Bill Monroe has been gone 18 years.
September 9, 1996.
Sad day!
~
s
Sonny Osborne Banjo Co.
PO Box 647
Hendersonville,TN.37075
chiefbanjo@comcast.net
sonnyosborne.com
615-824-0096
IN GOD WE TRUST

Tim13 - Posted - 09/09/2014:  00:15:33

That's a great picture of Wynn.  He was brought to my attention by a friend.  After seeking out some videos of Wynn playing, it's clear that he's a great picker.  Very first generation stuff, just the way it ought to be played.  He must have had some good mentors when he was learning....

Tim

From Greylock to Bean Blossom - Posted - 09/09/2014:  03:46:32

Mr. Monroe was a force wasn't he Sonny. I remember a Wednesday night show during his 10 day Bean Blossom festival when it was late at night and few were there: he came on the stage and said " I'm going to play you some blues". He leaned into the microphone from the right side of it and just started playing. You will remember that usually Monroe would banter with the crowd in getting them to shout songs they wanted to hear. But this time he didn't say a word, he just leaned into the microphone and played straight through a long set. It was an unbelievable show and literally raised the hairs on the back of my neck. At the end of the show I asked him if I could have the tape of the show that the sound men made and he said to ask his wife, who at the time was I believe Della (?). She just smiled a condescending smile and said no. That music is gone forever. What a waste! To me it seemed like she had no real appreciation for what she just heard.

I also remember him coming on stage during your show and you and he taking each others hats off and putting them on yourselves so that he was playing with, I think your UK hat  on, and you playing with his Stetson hat on. Seemed like you were both laughing pretty good and having a lot of fun.

The pallor at the fall festival when he was not there in 1996 was so strong and still so memorable.

There was some work to get a US postal stamp in memory of Mr. Monroe but that did not go through. Which is unbelievable to me in light of some of the much less deserving people they have so honored.

ken

TheChief - Posted - 09/09/2014:  11:30:24

Nothing but politics Ken, stupid crooked politics.

In 1952 I was a 14 year old child working as a Bluegrass Boy. When he did a Quartet song my place in the Quartet was next to Bill. Every night I would come away from those songs with my right ear buzzing. He was so loud, his voice was very strong.
Bill was professional..loved his Mandolin, loved to be on stage and the most important lesson I came away with was the respect he had for his place in the world and his appearance. He loved and respected The Grand Ole Opry...It's so different now. Bill would not even think of going on that stage with ripped Blue Jeans, etc. etc. Neither would I.
~
s
Sonny Osborne Banjo Co.
PO Box 647
Hendersonville,TN.37075
chiefbanjo@comcast.net
sonnyosborne.com
615-824-0096
IN GOD WE TRUST

slimpikenz - Posted - 09/10/2014:  13:30:31

Hi Sonny!

I checked out for a few months but am back and happy to see you are still alive and well!! : ) ...I also ran across a you tube video of you and am wondering when it was taken as I see you are singing and not playing so maybe it was recently...

youtube.com/watch?v=6CmrN18eCGw

you mentioned you don't really enjoy singing but maybe you and Bobby are gonna get on stage together Once More...any chance that might happen in the future?? Its just fun to see you have fun on stage...like during Listening To The Rain...

Thanks and Hope you have been doing well!
-Slim

El Dobro - Posted - 09/15/2014:  15:01:19

Wow, this one is still going!

laceyth9 - Posted - 09/15/2014:  17:56:42

Dana,

Was that Chief #5 you were playing in this video posted by Slim? Looks like it could be.

Tim L.

From Greylock to Bean Blossom - Posted - 09/15/2014:  20:13:11

quote:

---

Originally posted by slimpikenz

Hi Sonny!



I checked out for a few months but am back and happy to see you are still alive and well!! : ) ...I also ran across a you tube video of you and am wondering when it was taken as I see you are singing and not playing so maybe it was recently...



youtube.com/watch?v=6CmrN18eCGw



you mentioned you don't really enjoy singing but maybe you and Bobby are gonna get on stage together Once More...any chance that might happen in the future?? Its just fun to see you have fun on stage...like during Listening To The Rain...



Thanks and Hope you have been doing well!

-Slim

---

Sonny,

That had to be very tough to be on stage and not be able to play. When you were playing along with the singing, you had constant interaction and  input into the music with your banjo. It also had to be tough to want to hear some things and they not be there.

ken

TheChief - Posted - 09/30/2014:  14:20:03

Tim;
I didn't see the video you were making reference to.
It could be.
You still happy with it?
~
S
Sonny Osborne Banjo Co.
PO Box 647
Hendersonville, TN. 37077
615-824-0096

TheChief - Posted - 09/30/2014:  14:25:27

The hardest thing was to stand there, helpless, and wait for certain notes to appear and they didn't.
And you don't dare say anything to the banjo guy, knowing he's doing the best he can, but he doesn't hear what I heard in that particular song. That was rough, and contributed heavily in my decision to call it a day. I'm happy I did that too.
~
S
Sonny Osborne Banjo Co.
PO Box 647
Hendersonville, TN. 37077
615-824-0096

TheChief - Posted - 09/30/2014:  14:43:24

Jim Ed Brown has lung cancer.
Frank Neat's brother died last Wednesday.

{ : ( >

laceyth9 - Posted - 09/30/2014:  15:40:13

Sonny,

Very happy with #5. Can't imagine playing anything else. Whenever I'm able to play other banjos, I try to compare them with my Chief and have yet to find one that measures up. With that said, I've not played a pre-war. Couldn't afford one if I decided I liked it better, so best not to get hooked. I saw what happened to Bill Evans when he found a pre-war he liked.

Very thankful for my banjo Sonny. Glad you made the effort to provide a high-quality instrument for the working folk. Thankful I had Charlie Cushman set it up for me when I attended your banjo camp a few years back. Had some intonation problems before Charlie got his hands on it. No problems since. Charlie sure knows his way around a banjo, as a craftsman and a player.

Tim L.

TheChief - Posted - 10/02/2014:  23:48:34

Denis Uhrig from New Jersey is the latest Maple Chief owner.
Received it today.

s :-)>

TheChief - Posted - 10/07/2014:  10:42:20

And guess what...he liked it so well, he bought a Mahogany.

{ ;-)>

s

Road Dog - Posted - 10/10/2014:  06:12:54

Well, my Chief (#82) is a little over 10 years old. I love this banjo! Last spring I had the frets cleaned up and a new head put on and the setup tweaked. It sounds better than ever. (Thanks "Bill in Maine".)

#82 and I were at Sonny's Banjo Camp in 2006. Second row, 3rd from the left in the camp photo (chief owners) on Sonny's web site. Also, on page two of the Tribe photos: the ones with Little Roy.

I've got other banjos, but #82 is my #1.

Oh yeah, I haven't cleaned the metal parts since Banjo Camp...

TheChief - Posted - 10/11/2014:  10:14:53

I bet old 82 is looking like all the banjos I owned. I never saw the need to clean and polish..always thought it would interfere with the sound....! { :-)>

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

Road Dog - Posted - 10/11/2014:  13:39:32

Sonny, I'm glad I followed your advice on cleaning and polishing... Don't wanna mess with a great thing!

Jeff Markham - Posted - 10/11/2014:  23:30:25

Haven't cleaned mine either.  Yes, I'm superstitious, too. You can get lost in the tone of these banjos.  Don't see a reason to make any changes.

TheChief - Posted - 10/12/2014:  06:23:14

I guess the beginning of that, along with the "skinned" unfinished neck came because I never owned a new banjo, other than the Chief number 00 which was 1998, so how it looked was never an issue. The unfinished neck? The old banjos I played the finish was worn off and they played soooo much easier... the Chief neck was bare. Must have been ok, lots of builders have what they refer to as a "speed neck." I don't know if I'm superstitious Jeff, but I have 300-400 banjos out there without one penny spent on advertising, so...that's my story, and I'm sticking to it...The Chief will remain "unfinished!" {;-)>

I wanted them to be good enough to sell themselves, and they did. I rest my case!

~

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 10/12/2014 06:26:23

TheChief - Posted - 10/16/2014:  07:12:44

Paul Craft, great songwriter whose health has been failing for some time, is not doing well.



Paul, a friend from about 1959 wrote several songs we recorded. "Midnight Flyer", "Blue Heartache", "We're Holding On",  "Fastest Grass Alive", "Teardrops Will Kiss The Morning Dew" (Which sold 4 million for Alison Krause) and more. Paul was responsible for getting our publishing company (Rocky Top Music) into the mainstream.

He produced The Osborne Brothers album; "Some Things I Want to Sing About" on which we did his song; "February In My Heart." He came to me during the session and asked if he could sing the third part on the chorus, saying that one of his lifelong dreams was to sing with us..so he is singing the low tenor part. Good song, also recorded by the Grascals.

He had hits from lots of others, "It's Me Again Margaret", "Dropkick Me Jesus Through The Goalposts Of Life" both major hits for Ray Stevens...and the list goes on.

"Blue Heartache" was a major hit for Linda Divies, (Mother of Earl Scruggs Grandson, Chris Scruggs)

Linda Ronstat had a hit with my favorite, "Keep Me From Blowing Away" which we also did, and I believe Jerry Lee Lewis as well. I believe he was the first to record it.

My information came from Terry Comer, local dentist, Bluegrass picker, and lifelong friend to Paul.

Paul Craft also played banjo for Jimmy Martin for a time and recorded with him.



Say a quick prayer for Paul.

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

Edited by - TheChief on 10/16/2014 07:24:00

Spike2 - Posted - 10/19/2014:  14:24:00

Thank you, Paul Craft, for the wonderful music you gave us. Your generosity of spirit will be greatly missed.

Edited by - Spike2 on 10/19/2014 14:25:57

TheChief - Posted - 10/20/2014:  17:12:24

Paul Craft passed from this life Saturday.
s

bevans - Posted - 10/20/2014:  17:32:55

Years ago, Ben Eldridge told me a great story about Paul Craft and Sonny, maybe you can confirm this. Both Ben and Paul attended the University of Virginia in Charlottesville (and I myself went there too - but *years* later). Ben was already playing bluegrass banjo and Ben and Paul were already friends. One day, Paul came up to Ben and announced that he was quitting college and was going to take up banjo, with the goal of landing a job playing banjo for Jimmy Martin in six months. 

Now, Ben thought, "Um, right, Paul." But Paul did just that and lo and behold, six months later, Paul was in Nashville playing banjo with Jimmy Martin. And one of the first things that Paul had to do was to into a recording studio and record "Train 45."

I believe that Paul replaced J. D. Crowe in the band as well. Paul also told a great story about how Jimmy would sit next to him in the backseat of their travel vehicle playing roll patterns very forcefully on Paul's leg, telling him, "Paul, J. D. played it like this!" Ouch!

TheChief - Posted - 10/23/2014:  07:32:39

Jimmy would do this so that he could say he "showed you everything you knew!"
From first hand experience I know this.
In the mid 50's he was one fantastic rhythm Guitar player, but he knew as much about how to play the banjo as I know about calculus, which is zilch. He would pick up the banjo and with a two finger right hand, would say; "Sport, do it like old Jimmy does!'
Some banjo players will say that he taught them a lot, but personally I am not one of them.
I respected Jimmy's music. Still do. Some of the things he did in the mid-fifty time period was, and is to this day, untouchable. He had two of the best banjo players in history to work with. J.D Crowe and Bill Emerson.
~
s

Joe Connor - Posted - 10/23/2014:  11:24:28

Sonny, when are you going to write an autobiography? You have so many stories and they're all so interesting. If you decide to write that book, I'll be the first one in line to buy it!

TheChief - Posted - 10/23/2014:  16:19:09

Well, the book. It's on hold right now.
Scott Street has been diagnosed with cancer and that book is the least of my worries, as I'm sure it is with him. If and when he wants to continue, we will. Not until then however.
He's doing well and the hope is that he will continue to improve. I had a long conversation with Scott and he is doing well.
~
s

flatthead - Posted - 10/29/2014:  05:15:37

Happy birthday to Sonny Osborne, a titan of a musician and wonderful person as well.  Have a great day Chief, and thanks for all the music!

Edited by - flatthead on 10/29/2014 05:16:59

apherigo - Posted - 10/29/2014:  05:27:22

Happy Birthday Sonny!!  Thanks for your enormous contributions to music and all of the Bluegrass society!

Aaron

gibson49classic - Posted - 10/29/2014:  05:45:39

Happy birthday Sonny!! Hope you have a great one.

BanjoTom47 - Posted - 10/29/2014:  06:43:27

Happy Birthday, Chief!  

fgodbey - Posted - 10/29/2014:  07:59:20

Many happy returns, Sonny! 

Super-cool video here:

youtube.com/watch?v=52O32miytOs#t=258

--Frank

Edited by - fgodbey on 10/29/2014 08:10:10

Steve Bruce - Posted - 10/29/2014:  08:15:27

HB!

chief3 - Posted - 10/29/2014:  08:18:52

Happy Birthday!

RatLer - Posted - 10/29/2014:  08:24:20

Happy Birthday Sonny, from Dayton, Ohio...!!!

banjoman56 - Posted - 10/29/2014:  09:08:01

Happy Birthday Sonny from a fella Wildcat fan! :)

bevans - Posted - 10/29/2014:  09:13:22

Happy Birthday, Chief! I'm already looking forward to the 2015 NashCamp Banjo Camp with you! Hope you have a great day!