Timeless1952 - Posted - 11/16/2014:  22:23:01

Dean makes the picks & I have a set of those but Sonny's picks seem to be shaped a little different with the blades flatter making more contact with the strings. The Hoffmeyer picks I have seem to be spooned or radised more. I have been using the Hoffmeyer finger picks for a long time now & I believed they were an improvement over what I was using at the time.  When I tried the Chief pick I knew also something was a little different about them so I got to looking at the blades and feeling them. You can absolutely feel a difference in the picks. 

K

TheChief - Posted - 11/17/2014:  10:01:46

Coming from You Kenneth, that's quite a testament. You orta know!!!

Hoffmeyer is the best. And when you have the best, why mess with the rest...IN MY OPINION!

I guess this is where I chime in.
Dean makes the best pick since the old National, which I used my entire career.
The Chief picks from Hoffmeyer are good but since I don't play at all I can't really tell but those who use the picks I sell tell me they are very good.
The difference between the Chief pick as opposed to the Standard Hoffmeyer pick is probably a personal preference. Like Chevrolet or Ford, Honda or Toyota. Both are great but one feels just a little better/worse on your finger, or drives and/or rides best to your taste. And the price is right.
You can't lose either way. {;-)>
~
s
Sonny Osborne Banjo Co.
PO Box 647
Hendersonville,TN.37075
chiefbanjo@comcast.net
sonnyosborne.com
615-824-0096
IN GOD WE TRUST

Timeless1952 - Posted - 11/17/2014:  11:28:02

Well as far as I'm concerned, anytime "I" can put more blade of the pick on the string the fatter the note will be. I know a good thing when I see & hear it. This is one of them.  Another thing I noticed about Dean's finger picks is that when you shake them in the palm of your hand they Jingle & Ring. Haven't noticed the same sound with other picks of the same style. Like "The Man" says, it's all a personal choice & its great to have those.  It's GREAT time for Banjo players these days!

K

Edited by - Timeless1952 on 11/17/2014 11:33:56

TheChief - Posted - 11/18/2014:  05:58:05

We should also discuss thumb picks. Kenneth talked about the amount of pick which contacts the string, in that the wider the blade the more full sound. This is true. When I was playing I did not want a thumb pick whose "blade" (the part striking the string) had a point, which most do. I would take a new pick and use cardboard to round the point away.
Put the pick on, and hold the cardboard in the other hand while moving the pick in a half circular motion. That will take the point off and the sound will be more full, matching the finger picks.
Worked for me.
~
s
Sonny Osborne Banjo Co.
PO Box 647
Hendersonville,TN.37075
chiefbanjo@comcast.net
sonnyosborne.com
615-824-0096
IN GOD WE TRUST

Ceres Banjo Works - Posted - 11/18/2014:  06:15:28

I sure like my Hoffmeyers... Been using them about a year now.

-Jim

gibson49classic - Posted - 11/26/2014:  16:50:13

Sonny recently I've been wondering about your Guitjo that you played, the one with the guitar body and banjo neck, and was trying to figure out who made it? Do you recall who made yours and what your opinion was on it? Thanks in advance.

Edited by - gibson49classic on 11/26/2014 16:51:01

bevans - Posted - 11/26/2014:  16:59:50

Happy Thanksgiving, Chief! And to all who read this list. It's one of the things I'm thankful for this Thankgiving.

All the best,

Bill

TheChief - Posted - 11/28/2014:  08:18:14

My Guitjo;
Made by Greg Rich for use on the Glen Campbell TV show, and being played by Larry McNeely. Somehow it didn't work out for them, I don't know the reason.
When Larry left Glen he moved back to Nashville and left the instrument with George Gruhn to sell. Long story shortened greatly, I saw it and bought it for $600. Why? It was different and I thought I might be able to make use of it. I don't remember the year, maybe mid 70's. I had two of them, sold one, kept the original.
My opinion?
It is a wonderful instrument for use in a recording studio, not so much on a live stage. Why? To really get the best sound from it you simply must play it softly. With a good sound man (if one exists) it would also work on open stage but you would need to have your own sound man go with you every day, and purchase a very good mic for use with a very good sound system.
I loved the sound and loved playing it, at home, bus, and studio.
Aaron McDaris and Joe Mullins recently borrowed it for recording use with their respective bands. I don't think Aaron used it, but Joe did play it on "LIFE", his latest album and he did it proud.
I used it on several recordings, "Ashoken Farewell" and "Amazing Grace" are the two that stand out, but there were more.
My Guitjo has undergone several cosmetic changes...from blonde to black to sunburst, From nothing to Hearts and Flowers, to the present light porn inlay by Greg Rich. Undetectable unless specifically knowing it's there and looking for it...and then must be shown. Beautiful art work, created by an absolute genius. Greg Rich is the best. He designed the inlay for the Chief and Scout banjos as well.
Nice change, is the Guitjo!
~
s

bbanjoboy - Posted - 12/04/2014:  11:02:21

So, this just came acrossy my facebook .... is it just me?

 

TheChief - Posted - 12/04/2014:  12:14:40

Nope, not just you

mahogchief01 - Posted - 12/04/2014:  12:27:24

No bbanjoboy, it's not just you. Makes me go hhhhhhmmmmmm.

Mick

TheChief - Posted - 12/09/2014:  10:33:24

I got to spend some time with, and have the pleasure of seeing again, Dana Cupp.
Very good banjo player, worked with The Osborne Brothers several years before I retired. Dana was multitalented...he played Mandolin with Jimmy (Frog) Martin, Banjo with Bill Monroe, Banjo, and Guitar with us...good bus driver, a doer...that would be do...r. If we broke down, needed a rental car, airline tickets, hotel reservations, even to the point of checking into Hotels. If we got to a venue at 8AM and check-in was not until 3PM, he could somehow get them to allow us to check in...I would venture to say 90% of the time. He could just get it done. As I said, a doer!
He had lunch with Larry, Ben Serrat, David Parmely, Ronnie Reno, Robin Smith, and I... and it was so good to see him. It had been several years.
He also got to try out the Rocky Top Chief banjo.
I worked out a version of El Paso, the Marty Robins classic,(copied from Grady Martin, note for note) and have mentioned it to several banjo players and none seemed to see any future in learning to play it...except Dana. He played it for me and that did bring back some memories.
Anyhow, that was special.
~
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 - 12/09/2014:  10:41:07

Funny, Frog Martin called him DANNY!

Don't ask why, no one knows.

s

TheChief - Posted - 12/10/2014:  11:27:18

Incidentally, Red Allen hung "FROG" on Jimmy Martin.
I was there when it happened, on Ralph Emery's all night radio show. WSM am radio back when it meant something. Before internet, etc. etc.
Nearest equivalent would be EDDIE STUBBS.

s

bbanjoboy - Posted - 12/10/2014:  12:27:23

I rember "frog" hanging a nick name on Enos Johnson at Newport..Don't care to repeat it though

TheChief - Posted - 12/11/2014:  19:00:48

Frog didn't do that. Smokey Ward called Enos "Calf Killer!"

JD Crowe was "Bird Seed"

Claude Stewart was "Little Beaver"

Ralph Emery named Dottie West "Beulah"

Bill Monroe called Jimmy "Simmon Head",,,come to think of it, Frog might have had another name for Enos.



Funny, none of them were dirty or smutty. 60 years ago, music business was fun, and filled with characters.The Stanley Brothers had nicknames for everyone.

I mention a few, but there are lots more.

s

Edited by - TheChief on 12/11/2014 19:07:38

gibson49classic - Posted - 12/18/2014:  19:17:57

Sonny did you ever record any with chet or on one his albums. My banjo teacher seems to remember an albulm with you and him on it that he loaned to a friend and never got back and we are trying to find the name of it so we can find another one.

stringman711 - Posted - 12/19/2014:  09:28:57

Sonny. Thank you for the kind words. It was great seeing you, Ronnie, Ben, David, Larry, and Robyn again. I had a great time. The Rocky Top banjo is an excellent instrument. As good as any new one I have played. It plays and sounds "old". Those many years we worked together are very special times to me. I always enjoyed your version of El Paso. It's one of my favorites of anything you played. Heck. Maybe I'll record it!..lol. 

TheChief - Posted - 12/21/2014:  09:38:25

Yes, I did an album with Chester Atkins but I don't remember the title of the album.
I do however, remember being in such awe it was very hard to play.
He was one of the best in the world...and he proved it that day.
I did a Jazz album with Gary Burton (Tennessee Firebird) on which he tried, what he called "fusion" and he seemed well pleased. But, once again, I was in such awe that I was lost from the time I walked into RCA Studio B as I was when I left. In the mid 60's banjo players were not supposed to do what I was trying to do...and other players looked at me kinda funny. They were all genius, and I was a lowly banjo player. But I figured someone had to have called me or I wouldn't have been there. Right?
Oh well, that was another life ago.
s

knowsnothing - Posted - 12/22/2014:  14:25:32

Is this the one?

Chet Atkins ? Hometown Guitar This original stereo LP Record album was released as RCA Victor Records LSP-4017 in 1968...the record has the RCA Victor Deep Groove black label with silver print and the "Dog" logo and "RCA Victor" in white at the top and "Stereo Dynagroove" in silver at the bottom. Chet Atkins (guitar) is featured on this album with Sonny Osborne (banjo) and others. The track listing is as follows: Big Daddy ? Sittin' On Top Of The World ? Huntin' Boots ? Blue Guitar ? Cattle Call ? Back To Old Smokey Mountain ? Sweet Georgia Brown ? Blue Angel ? Get On With It ? Reed's Ramble ? Pickin' Pot Pie ? The Last Thing On My Mind The album cover shows wear and is graded "VG+" ? the vinyl is clean except for some minor scuffs and light surface scratches that should be inaudible when played and is graded "EX". All Grading is visual - Grading is as follows: NEW: Still factory sealed...brand new product M-: Mint minus...used product in near new condition EX: Excellent...used product with minor flaws not affecting play VG: Very Good...used product with some damage possibly audible G: Good...used product that will play, but not with passable quality

 

Edited by - knowsnothing on 12/22/2014 14:30:13

TheChief - Posted - 12/23/2014:  17:43:47

MERRY CHRISTMAS

Edited by - TheChief on 12/23/2014 17:46:24

From Greylock to Bean Blossom - Posted - 12/23/2014:  17:57:11

Thanks Sonny,

Merry Christmas to you.

Ken

miket - Posted - 12/23/2014:  18:10:20

A Merry Christmas to you Sonny, and all the other Chief owners and enthusiasts.

Ebanjo - Posted - 12/23/2014:  20:10:31

Merry Christmas to you Sonny.
Eric Ellis

RatLer - Posted - 12/24/2014:  06:12:45

Merry Christmas Sonny and all you banjer pickers.... :-D

Scaggs7 - Posted - 12/25/2014:  08:19:48

Marry Christmas to all

Jim1 - Posted - 12/25/2014:  09:06:24

Merry Christmas 

Norm2704 - Posted - 12/25/2014:  12:29:48

Merry Christmas everybody!

TheChief - Posted - 12/28/2014:  19:38:14

JIMMY DICKENS, AGE 94  (Dec. 19) IS IN NASHVILLE HOSPITAL IN CRITICAL CONDITION.

GRAND OLE OPRY MEMBER SINCE 1948.

DEAR FRIEND, WONDERFUL ENTERTAINER.

If you are a person who believes in prayer, PLEASE offer a prayer for Jim. I certainly will.

Thank you

s

Edited by - TheChief on 12/28/2014 19:42:11

chuckv97 - Posted - 12/28/2014:  21:09:46

I sure will send a prayer and Jimmy will be in my thoughts. What a great entertainer. Heard him on the Opry last month or so. Get well,Jimmy!

fgodbey - Posted - 12/29/2014:  08:26:15

Lots of folks think of Jimmy as a singer of novelty songs, and he did quite a few of those; but he's as good a straight country singer as ever trod the Opry stage.  His recording of "Fireball Mail" is my second-favorite version of that tune.  Give it a listen:

youtube.com/watch?v=cJPf0dRITaY

And while you're at it, listen to Jimmy's fine rendition of "Another Bridge to Burn"

youtube.com/watch?v=AgrC8OGBKWU

A great country singer... He's on my prayer list for sure.

--Frank

From Greylock to Bean Blossom - Posted - 12/29/2014:  08:32:02

Here is Hank Williams and Jimmy:

youtube.com/watch?v=1KdFFhZIw_0

Some great and true country.

Ken

TheChief - Posted - 12/30/2014:  11:36:52

MY FRIEND, SCOTT STREET, IS IN SERIOUS CONDITION.

HOSPICE CONDITION

From Greylock to Bean Blossom - Posted - 12/30/2014:  11:53:21

quote:

---

Originally posted by TheChief

MY FRIEND, SCOTT STREET, IS IN SERIOUS CONDITION.

HOSPICE CONDITION

 

---

Sonny,

You are having a rough holiday season. Prayers will be sent.

ken

TheChief - Posted - 12/30/2014:  12:19:45

I can usually accept this as part of life but these two have really hit me very hard.  I certainly won't forget 2014.

Thank you all for your thoughts and prayers. I can't begin to imagine what their families are going through right now, and I realize there are others that are having the same experience. Life is not ALL fun and games.

BanjoTom47 - Posted - 12/30/2014:  16:27:55

So sorry to hear of the passing of Little Jimmie Dickens, a great entertainer and true exemplar of Country Music.  Though I was never privileged to know him personally, I feel like I've lost a family member...

Jim1 - Posted - 12/31/2014:  09:08:05

Did little Jimmy pass?   That comment above is the only thing I've seen saying that he has.  Hope not. 

BanjoTom47 - Posted - 12/31/2014:  13:05:50

Word of Little Jimmy's passing came from Bob Cherry, of Cybergrass, last night.  HOWEVER, I've not yet seen any confirmation, so perhaps this is not the case . . .     I apologize if this was incorrect information. . .   Usually Bob is trustworthy, but I don't know what his source was for this information.

chuckv97 - Posted - 12/31/2014:  20:29:46

According to the "Tennessean" ,posted half hour ago, citing the Opry manager saying he visited Jimmy and he is improving,bit by bit.

TheChief - Posted - 01/02/2015:  08:19:58

I haven't heard any news about Little Jim in the past few days.

Scott Street is not doing so well. THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS FOR HE AND HIS FAMILY PLEASE.

For those of you who never met Scott, the word GENTLEMAN was a complete description of him, in every sense of the word.

THANK YOU ALL

S

chuckv97 - Posted - 01/02/2015:  16:17:40

Prayers sent.

TheChief - Posted - 01/02/2015:  16:46:29

JIMMY DICKENS IS OFFICIALLY GONE. HE DIED THIS AFTERNOON OF HEART ATTACK FOLLOWING COMPLICATIONS FROM A STROKE ON CHRISTMAS DAY.

JIM WAS 94 ON DEC. 19

Norm2704 - Posted - 01/02/2015:  17:15:53

Sad news....

chuckv97 - Posted - 01/02/2015:  17:37:09

RIP Jimmy.

From Greylock to Bean Blossom - Posted - 01/02/2015:  22:27:57

Think over his long life and career of how many people he entertained, made smile, and gave enjoyment to. Think of how many people looked forward to seeing him. He touched a lot of people. That is quite a legacy and quite an honor.  that is quite a job well done.

ken

TheChief - Posted - 01/02/2015:  22:56:18

KEN YOU SAID IT WELL.

From Greylock to Bean Blossom - Posted - 01/06/2015:  09:09:51

Sonny,

The song you all sang: Arkansas, I think is a great song and one of the most under appreciated songs. The melody and the words fit perfectly to paint a picture in time. The line “and slowly turn to old men sitting whittling on their sticks” always reminds me of a place in my childhood. As a kid we used to go spend a month each summer on my Grandmother’s Ozark farm in Lebanon, Missouri. There was a drug store in town named Knights Drug Store. We used to call it Joe Knight’s. They were the first place in town to get air conditioning and they had the words “Air Conditioned” in the front window in big, one foot high, red,neon lights. When all the folks would go inside in the middle of the summer they would stop and  say “Oh don’t this air feel good”. Anyway there was a group of guys that would sit on the curb in front of Joe Knights. They were all dressed in bib overall with straw hats, boots and long sleeve collared shirts. They would sit out there with their knives and sticks and whittle and talk. My mom and grandmother always called them the spit and whittle club. I bet Tom T. could make a good song about the spit and whittle club.  Anyway I always think of that when I hear the song Arkansas. Good thoughts.

ken

Silber - Posted - 01/07/2015:  19:57:26

Thought to drop a quick note: I was active in BHO years ago. I had to let go of pickin' the banjo in '06 because my arms literally gave out. The insides of my elbows were so shot, I couldn't even pick that thing out of the case. I think it was due to pickin' straight since 1990 for several hours a day! I had the Osborne Chief #58. Went to learning mandolin because I needed to keep playing music. I wanted to get a fair mandolin so I sold the old 58 to pay for a mando. Several years went by and my arms started improving and well I'm back on the banjer now again! I have since inherited my Dad's Chief #54 (which I played quite a bit -right after he bought it and I really did like that one better than the 58). This banjo is the second most awesome banjo I've ever played and I've played lots of them! (The best was 'Charlotte' - Dave Sweet's honey and the only pre-war granada I've ever had a chance to play!) It's a bummer I couldn't keep both of the Chief's but glad to be pickin' again and really glad I still have a Chief to play! Wouldn't trade it for anything.- trying to catch up to where I left off so many years ago now and probably won't' be as aggressive as I once was..

banjoman69 - Posted - 01/10/2015:  16:06:15

It was great to see you today Sonny at Banjothon. Hopefully I'll see you in the fall at Nashcamp if not before.