apherigo - Posted - 11/15/2009:  15:04:30

Bill Emerson played his Chief at the North Carolina Banjo Clinic this weekend. Sounded GREAT!!!

Aaron Pherigo, North Carolina
Maple Chief #75, 1988 Gibson RB-3, 1934 Gibson TB-1 Converted

TheChief - Posted - 11/16/2009:  13:29:31

Mahogany #11. Try that head tension at 89 or 90. Should bring it back. Let me know..

s


Sonny Osborne Banjo Company
chiefbanjo@comcast.net
615-824-0096
web site: sonnyosborne.com
"IN GOD WE TRUST"

style 6 - Posted - 11/17/2009:  00:52:14

Hi Sonny
Thanks a lot for getting back to me, I will try these settings and get back to you.

Richard

R.T. - Posted - 11/18/2009:  18:53:44

I have a question for the Chief banjo owners. What bridge do you use on your Chief banjo? I have used the Neat, Snuffy Smith, and Scorpion. All have sounded good to my ear but each one a different sound. I have the SS on mine now. I might add, I'm not trying to get into an argument which is the best bridge, only which bridge you like on your Chief.

Edited by - R.T. on 11/18/2009 19:20:45

stringman711 - Posted - 11/18/2009:  19:17:27

Frank Neat is what's on my Chief. His are very good, and they are consistant. As with anything Frank does, It's as good as it gets. Arthur Hatfield is also making some excellent bridges as well. Arthur is the first person (to my knowledge)to ever make a compensated bridge that works. I have tried several over the years. NONE worked. The ones that came close to making the intonation good ended up killing the tone. Arthur makes straight bridges as well. His compensated ones succeeds in the banjo noting correctly from one end of the neck to the other, and does not sacrifice any tone. J.D. Crowe expressed interest in trying these bridges, and several are being made now from him to try.

R.T. - Posted - 11/18/2009:  19:30:20

Thanks for the reply Dana. I enjoyed your playing at Bean Blossom again this fall. Sorry I didn't get up to the table to talk to you this year. You were playing your Chief and again your playing was super.

stringman711 - Posted - 11/18/2009:  19:35:38

Thanks for the kind words Ron!

laceyth9 - Posted - 11/18/2009:  20:18:50

I am using one of Charlie Cushman's bridges on mine. Charlie set it up for me a year ago. Before then, I was having all kinds of intonation problems. I had tried a few different gauges of strings and numerous bridges, to include the scorpion, SS, and neat. Charlie ended up changing the head, strings, and bridge. He also did some other small adjustments I couldn't figure out what he was doing. My intonation problems disappeared! The strings I'm using now are Charlie's signature American Made Banjo strings and I have not changed the strings since Charlie put them on... over a year ago. And, I don't have any tuning problems. So, big endorsement for Charlie and his AMB strings. He is also a gentleman to work with.

Tim L.
Maple Chief #5
thelaceyfamilybluegrass.com

Edited by - laceyth9 on 11/18/2009 20:19:58

whywild - Posted - 11/19/2009:  09:47:54

I've got one of Dave Wadsworth's old piano wood bridges on my Chief and it sounds great. But you can't beat Frank's bridges either. For whatever reason, the Wadsworth just sounds better to my ear. And David is a super nice guy to work with - he'll go out of his way to get your what you need.
Doug

TheChief - Posted - 11/20/2009:  18:02:05

I used Frank Neat bridges since he started making them. (On the Granada, RB3, and Chief number 00)

Silvio Ferretti makes a great bridge too.

s

TheChief - Posted - 11/22/2009:  16:37:51

I suppose all have heard by now..Allan Shelton passed from this life yesterday, He was 73, leukemia was the cause of death.
One of the most Innovative banjo players ever.
Marty Robins was not a big fan of the banjo, but he told me so many times how much he liked what Allan did.

s

Woolpersteve - Posted - 11/23/2009:  10:54:48

Sonny,
I always felt Allen was a ground breaker without trying to be one .He made changes but they weren't forced for the sake of being different. He always played "music".
I only met him once and enjoyed every minute of it . He loved that dojo he recorded with-said it was the best instrument he ever played as far as noting perfectly every time.
I wish I could smile like Allen . I could never come close to his playing.
Steve

TheChief - Posted - 11/24/2009:  07:26:04

Funny...u are the only person who has commented about Allan..I guess most people wasn't familiar with his playing or either just didn't know who he was. Steve, we're getting old for sure...well, I am I should say.
He did have that personality but he could also play...could he ever. People talk a lot about hand (right) positions. He had the most unique looking right hand I ever saw. He and Doug Dillard..they would almost lay their hand on the head of the banjo. Allan always (since the 50's) played a Gibson RB 250. He loved it.
He really understood music, background, etc.
He had been retired for a lot of years..I hadn't seen him for some time but knowing he's gone makes me wish that were not the case.

s

bhrb75 - Posted - 11/24/2009:  07:37:59

I know one thing Allen could sure jerk the tone out of that raised head 250! Especially on "Fireball," his timing was like a Singer sewing machine on that stuff.

Brandon

R.T. - Posted - 11/24/2009:  11:06:06

Sonny, there are quite a few comments on Allen's passing on "Other Banjo Topics"

Yes, he was certainly a fine banjo player. I had never met the man personally.

Edited by - R.T. on 11/24/2009 11:06:57

DG-banjo - Posted - 11/24/2009:  13:03:17

I had the pleasure of being able to be around Allan several times during my years with Jesse McReynolds... To me his playing was a huge part of the trademark "Jim and Jesse" sound..Allen was a stylist when he played you knew who it was, his thought patterns and approach were diffrent from others. As a banjo player I had upmost respect for not only his playing but Allan as a person, he was very kind every time i was around him... My condolences to his family

cardinbanjo - Posted - 11/24/2009:  16:12:55

His albums have some of the best banjo arrangements ever put down. It would have been great, and I have mentioned it on the hangout before,... if there was a commemorative fly swatter head banjo made by someone, dedicated to his contribution. Mr. Shelton just like the Chief and handful of others are very distinguishable as soon as the music starts. always sound like themselves !!!

banjoman69 - Posted - 11/25/2009:  04:39:18

I was around him several times, always took the time to talk and not necessarily about the banjo. I only wished that he had made more than one album, Shleton Special, as it has a song diversity to it that projected Allen's personality I think. I asked him once about his style and he smiled and said, " it's just chords and you can do it.. just grab those chords and pick" Great guy and will be missed.

Woolpersteve - Posted - 11/25/2009:  07:27:32

Sonny ,
I am getting older by the second but today I had a whole nuther year thrown on top of me.
Hey Darrell, Allen used to carry a cassette of his music. Half is with the dojo only. I cannot remember the name , I bought it from him . It was never put on CD or vinyl .It is very unique and great as well.
Steve

kathy315 - Posted - 11/25/2009:  13:12:10

Happy Birthday Steve! And a very Happy Thanksgiving to all.I hope you all have a great day,and are surrounded by folks who love you.

Woolpersteve - Posted - 11/25/2009:  18:32:28

Thanks Kathy .Its been a great day so far .
Hope you have a great Thanksgiving as well.
Steve

TheChief - Posted - 11/25/2009:  19:54:47

HAPPY THANKSGIVING...REMEMBER WHAT IT'S ALL ABOUT.

S

RayD - Posted - 11/25/2009:  20:07:33

Sonny, here's hoping your's is a great Thanksgiving as well. We're going to have a couple of Air Force basic trainees with us again tomorrow. It's a great joy to us to be able to host them. Helps make us more grateful and thankful. Happy Thanksgiving All!


Cheers,

RayD

Fortancient - Posted - 11/26/2009:  08:48:17

S,
While waiting for that Thanksgiving bird to come pass my blind Monday morning I had set up on a creek bottom, I had Muddy Bottom going through my head over and over. I got my bird, he is in the oven now. I will always remember that bird as the Muddy Bottom bird.I am thankful to the creator for many things; banjo music and the ability to go to the woods to get food are on my top 10.

Banjo Stan - Posted - 11/26/2009:  10:09:36

Happy birthday, Steve and Happy Thanksgiving to all.

Tomorrow a lot of young adults from our church are coming over for dessert and pack Christmas boxes for the troops in Afghanistan. I bought 10 lbs of Black Angus round steak and made beef jerky out of it. There is one special Marine, the son of my best friend who's gonna get that box.

We've got a lot to be thankful for.
Best wishes,

RayD - Posted - 11/26/2009:  12:58:12

Stan,

Good gesture you and the young adults are doing. I know from personal experience having been over there that the troops just love getting the care packages from back here. Prepackaged flavored popcorns (like the Boy Scouts sell) are popular items, too. Jelly Bellys are popular since they don't melt in shipment. Different flavor gums. Snack crackers (peanut butter variety). Peanuts. Sunflower seeds. Tiny Tootsie Rolls. I would have my wife send boxes of stuff and just dole the stuff out to my fellow team members. Thanks for doing that.

Cheers,

RayD

DG-banjo - Posted - 11/28/2009:  12:43:37

A little late but I wanted to wish Sonny and everyone a very happy Thanksgiving! Hope it treated you all well!

RatLer - Posted - 12/01/2009:  16:42:26

Hey...everybody...wake up...slipped all the way back to the 3rd page...must have ate too much turkey...

wjtank - Posted - 12/06/2009:  12:40:41

Hey Sonny and all the Chiefsters !

For those of us who were fortunate enough to see the Osborne Brothers perform live, when and where was your first time seeing them?

My first time was in late April / early May 1991 at the Lewis Family homecoming bluegrass festival near Lincolnton, GA. The band members were Terry Smith on bass, Terry Eldredge on guitar and lead vocals, and Gene Wooten on dobro. I was completely mesmerized from the first note till the last and still am !

dale v - Posted - 12/06/2009:  18:03:00

Frontier Ranch Columbus Ohio june 1972 Bobby,Sonny,Dale Sledd,Dennis Digby,Robby Osborne

John J - Posted - 12/07/2009:  05:24:48

Berkshire Mountains Bluegrass Festival,Hillsdale NY. mid 70s.

John

kathy315 - Posted - 12/10/2009:  13:51:41

bump

Ebanjo - Posted - 12/10/2009:  14:43:47

The first time I saw Sonny and Bob I was 6 years old. It was at the VFW in North Wilkesboro,N.C. around July or August of 1964. It was Sonny, Bob,and I think Gordon Cash on guitar. I don't remember if they had a bass player that night or not. The one thing I remember is hearing Bobby sing "Hey Bartender".
Eric Ellis

TheChief - Posted - 12/11/2009:  07:14:59

Me, Miamisburg Ohio...1950...Bobby, Middletown Ohio 1947..Us, I don't remember...Probably farm house on Olt Road..Dayton..1948.
Best I can do.

TheChief - Posted - 12/11/2009:  07:19:34

That Miamisburg band consisted of:
Claude Stuart, Mandolin.
Jerry Williams, Guitar
Carl Eldredge, Fiddle
Me, Banjo.
It was in a furniture store.

alison130 - Posted - 12/11/2009:  09:22:25

Sunset Park in the mid 70's. Sonny had issues with the overhead fan saying [there's somethin bad wrong with that thing] but decided to let it on rather then to have a melt down due to the heat.

I don't care if I do die just as long as my Allison flies
Terry
Chief 128 [bonk bonk]

bhrb75 - Posted - 12/11/2009:  10:23:11

Cherokee June 1997. Still have home videos of all the shows of them from 97 to 2000. Good memories of those festivals for sure.

B.

apherigo - Posted - 12/11/2009:  10:56:13

About May 2007, Youtube, Ruby, youtube.com/watch?v=qlKMbezXtZE
I got my Chief #75 shortly there after. Thanks Chip.

Aaron

thkidd - Posted - 12/11/2009:  13:03:13

I saw them at the Reeves Community Center in Mt. Airy, NC, probably sometime in the early 70's. I don't remember much about it; I wasn't the biggest BG fan back then, and I could kick myself now.

I just watched the Osborne Brothers on Reno's Old Time Music Festival this week, and it was a great show. Sonny did most of the talking, and he really seemed to be enjoying himself. When Bobby was introducing the band, he introduced Terry Eldredge as Ronnie Eldredge, which caused everyone to totally crack up.

picknman - Posted - 12/11/2009:  13:20:32

Watermellon Park, Berryville, Virginia Sept. 1968. This was my first Bluegrass festival
and very memorable one.

Doug J

mitchmanns - Posted - 12/11/2009:  14:16:26

Michigan state fairgrounds '73 or 74 BIG country package show w/Pee Wee King, Dickens,Tommy Cash.
Bobby knocked the dust off the rafters when he started RUBEEEEEEEEEY

mahogchief01 - Posted - 12/11/2009:  14:29:09

My first time the see the Osborne Bros. was in McAlester, OK in probaby 78 or 79. BUT, my most memorable show they done was in Canton, TX in 1994 or 95. That's the year that the old granada's peghead wound up in the ceiling fan. I just knew that Sonny was going to reach in his pocket, pull out a gun, and shoot that thing. My Dad and I were sitting on the front row. That time period was my most favorite O.B. band. David Crow, Terry Smith, Terry Eldridge, and Gene Wooten. I truly think that with Bobby and Sonny, those guy's were about the best bluegrass band ever assembled. I feel honored to have gotten to see many of their show's during those year's. All of them were playing at their best I think. And the harmony's were to die for.

There are alot of funny story's (I think) about Canton, TX. At the time it might not have been too funny, but now we can laugh about it. One year there, it was hotter then you know where, and the A/C went out in the OB bus. That same year Doyle Lawson's bus blew an engine about 5 or 6 miles from town as they were leaving for another show and they had to use someone's van to get on down the road.........

Those were the day's.

Mick

El Dobro - Posted - 12/11/2009:  16:55:15

Had to be Sunset Park, sometime in the early 70's, and many more times after that.

bcampbe5 - Posted - 12/11/2009:  17:17:14

Milan, Michigan, 85 or 86. I had only been picking banjo for about 4 years or so and was pretty much a newcomer to Bluegrass music as far as seeing bands live. Very inspirational for me, I can tell you that... That lineup featured Blaine Sprouse, Paul Brewster, and Jimmy Brock. I was fortunate to have seen them many times through the years but, I REALLY liked that vocal trio with Paul Brewster.

I recall Sonny broke a string while playing Pain in My Heart. He changed the string while singing the baritone part, all in enough time to take his next break.. I was blown away from that point forward. Great stuff!

fgodbey - Posted - 12/11/2009:  22:06:23

Columbus, Ohio; Oct 1963. I had the "Country Picking & Hillside Singing" and the instrumentals LPs plus a few singles, but had never seen them in person, so when they were advertised at the Northern Restaurant, which wasn't really much of a restaurant, more a north side honkytonk with lots of good country music... I jumped at the opportunity.

I was "under-aged" by a few months, and when the waitress threatened to throw me and another guy, who was similarly age-challenged, out on the sidewalk, Sonny intervened with the management and they agreed to let us stay & listen, but we couldn't have anything to drink... not even a Coke. The band was Bobby, Sonny & Benny Birchfield with an electric bass player & a drummer borrowed from the house band, "Slim Starr & the Nighthawks." It was a great night & the room was not too big, so it was up close & personal with lots of great music.
--Frank

davepicks5 - Posted - 12/12/2009:  05:35:18

1964 or 1965 at Bean Blossom, each year a couple of shows one in spring and one in mid to late summer, before the festival when they would bring in single acts for afternoon shows starting at 200 pm and evening shows at 800 pm.

During the really hot afternoon shows, I was struck as a 12 year old, how serious and hard Sonny worked at playing and singing. He would sweat right through the jackets and I distinctly remembered sweat dripping though the goatee right onto the banjo.

My dad asked him once, why did he not smile and carry on as much as Bobby.......the answer when something like this.........Banjo players are working too hard to have time for that.......

He defined "professional musician" when on stage.

David

owlcreekdan - Posted - 12/12/2009:  09:01:58

i agree dave,i used to go to all the shows in the old barn & sonny always was the hardest working banjo player.really impressed me his & jds playing always set the bar high.

TheChief - Posted - 12/12/2009:  11:55:38

Have I actually been to all those places?

s

DHoffmeyer - Posted - 12/12/2009:  22:04:34

Grand Ole Opry, not too long after the spring flood of 1975.