TheChief - Posted - 03/07/2015:  18:24:59

Dave I thought I sent a reply, but I've searched and can't find it.

I did receive and listen to what you sent. I do need to listen again though.

s.

TheChief - Posted - 03/08/2015:  10:15:20

Dave;

I looked back and found the material you sent.

And I did listen to it.

gibson49classic - Posted - 03/09/2015:  14:01:32

Hey Sonny, the coolest thing happened today at my school. I am a junior in high school and go to Unicoi county high, today in my 4th period, (US History) we were talking about state animals, plants, and songs and my teacher mentioned Rocky Top. He then played yours and Bobbys version of it! The cut that was on the country bluegrass albulm. It was so neat because every kid in the class, regardless of the style of music they listen to, all knew every word to Rocky Top! Our teacher however said at the end of the song,"Man that woman can sing!" I replied to him saying,"that woman your talking about is what I consider to be the best male lead singer ever born." I then had to prove to everybody in the class that even a man could sing that high and sound as clear as a bell and that it really was Bobby singing. They got a small history lesson on you all today to say the least! Wait till they hear Ruby!! 😉

Edited by - gibson49classic on 03/09/2015 14:03:22

davehicks - Posted - 03/09/2015:  15:13:29

No problem, I've been so busy I wouldn't have known if you had, bad weather has been against us!

TheChief - Posted - 04/05/2015:  14:01:13

WELL, I JUST GOT FINAL CONFIRMATION FOR THE LINEUP AT BANJO CAMP.

DATES ARE OCTOBER 8 AT THE STATION INN FOR THE OFFICIAL "POUR BEER ALL OVER THE CHIEF" NIGHT. FEATURING THE STAFF IN CONCERT.

 OCTOBER  9-11 AT CAMP MARIMOUNT.

TEACHERS ARE:

TONY TRISHKA

ALAN MUNDE

RAYMOND MCCLAIN

JANET DAVIS

FRANK AND RICKY NEAT

BILL EVANS

CINDY SINCLAIR

AND I WILL POP IN PERIODICALLY (LIKE THAT'S GONNA DO ANYBODY ANY GOOD)

OF COURSE WE WILL HAVE THE BEST FOOD ON THE PLANET FROM MARSHA...AND GUARANTEE A FUN TIME, AND A POSITIVE EXPERIENCE FOR ALL..

HEALTH PERMITTING, IT'LL BE GREAT TO SEE YOU ALL AGAIN...KINDA LIKE A FAMILY REUNION 

S

Edited by - TheChief on 04/05/2015 14:07:07

Spike2 - Posted - 04/11/2015:  12:02:40

Once again, it sounds like a great group of pickers for the banjo camp. If I still lived back there I think I'd reserve a spot and show up for the pure joy of it. I'd for sure make it to the Station Inn. Hope you guys do a sell out again.

TheChief - Posted - 05/27/2015:  14:44:08

For you who have not heard, The GRASCALS have a new high singer. JOHN BRYANT is his name and I'm told that he is quite good. Jamie Johnson had other things that he wanted to pursue, mainly songwriting I would imagine Sorry to hear that, but time must proceed and the Grascals will move forward.

If you haven't seen or heard Joe Mullins, and you really love authentic Bluegrass music...you will need to get their latest cd, Another Day in Life I believe. It's good. And while on the subject of authentic Bluegrass music, The Rhonda Vincent band..THE RAGE..should be on the list with Joe as the real deal. They're good...real good!

Haven't been on here in awhile. I hope youns haven't given up on me. I'm not as healthy as I could be if I'da taken better care of myself 40 years ago, but I'm not sickly, so......

s

From Greylock to Bean Blossom - Posted - 05/27/2015:  14:58:28

Shocked Shocked and sad  to hear of Jamie leaving. I loved him singing Indiana as well as other songs. I thought he and Terry had a good chemistry and stage presence. They seemed like a fun group together. Looking forward to how the new blend is.

youtube.com/watch?v=7geqREQOCes

Ken

TheChief - Posted - 06/04/2015:  16:41:04

I had lunch today with Daryl Mosley and Tim Graves. They gave me a CD, their latest on Pinecastle records. It is good. New songs, and a few old ones, but mostly new ones. GOOD new songs. Title of the CD is; "Better Than I Deserve."

Well recorded, well produced. Musically, and vocally good. They're going to be in Petersburg, VA at the Dimwittie Music Festival, I think tomorrow. You wanta hear some good stuff, go see!!!!

Also, the cover of Bluegrass Unlimited has a great photo of The Gibson Brothers. Man, I mean look how they are dressed. Like they respect you, the fan...and the business they are in enough to look like they are going to the office..the stage being their "office." My Goodness, that looks good. This is my opinion, if you like it..good! If you don't agree, that's good too.

'Twas said the reason I never played melodic, chromatic, whatever..was because I couldn't. Well, way back yonder, in the 60's we recorded a song, "Cut The Cornbread Mama" and if you'll listen to the ending, it might surprise you. Grady Martin told me I couldn't, and that was not the right thing to say.     

Now, if that had been Dana Cupp, welllllll...that's another story!

~

S

Sonny Osborne Banjo Co.

PO Box 647

Hendersonville, TN. 37077

615-824-0096

.

Edited by - TheChief on 06/04/2015 16:44:12

From Greylock to Bean Blossom - Posted - 06/04/2015:  16:57:05

quote:

---

Originally posted by TheChief

I had lunch today with Daryl Mosley and Tim Graves. They gave me a CD, their latest on Pinecastle records. It is good. New songs, and a few old ones, but mostly new ones. GOOD new songs. Title of the CD is; "Better Than I Deserve."

Well recorded, well produced. Musically, and vocally good. They're going to be in Petersburg, VA at the Dimwittie Music Festival, I think tomorrow. You wanta hear some good stuff, go see!!!!

Also, the cover of Bluegrass Unlimited has a great photo of The Gibson Brothers. Man, I mean look how they are dressed. Like they respect you, the fan...and the business they are in enough to look like they are going to the office..the stage being their "office." My Goodness, that looks good. This is my opinion, if you like it..good! If you don't agree, that's good too.

'Twas said the reason I never played melodic, chromatic, whatever..was because I couldn't. Well, way back yonder, in the 60's we recorded a song, "Cut The Cornbread Mama" and if you'll listen to the ending, it might surprise you. Grady Martin told me I couldn't, and that was not the right thing to say.     

Now, if that had been Dana Cupp, welllllll...that's another story!

~

S

Sonny Osborne Banjo Co.

PO Box 647

Hendersonville, TN. 37077

615-824-0096

.

---

Dressing well, respecting the music, respecting the fans and respecting the opportunity is a bluegrass tradition started by the first generations players. It is great to see it when it is still being honored that way. Thanks for mentioning it Sonny.

ken

CAPT Steve - Posted - 06/04/2015:  19:54:39

Sonny--thanks for giving us the 'Heads-Up' about the Gibson Brothers article.  Just enjoyed reading it; they've become one of my favorite groups and I have several of their CDs.  I was stationed in Buffalo and had half my folks based in Massena, NY, as far north in NY as you can get and not be in Canada.  This was about a half-hour from where they grew up, so I knew the area fairly well.  I appreciate the songs they've done about about this region of the country.  While I'd already heard most of the article content, it just reinforced how genuine these guys are. Just classy.   Would love to see them in concert some day (they don't get too close to this part of Florida).

Steve

P.S. I think Eric is a very under-appreciated banjo player, I find he does a lot of really interesting things.  Not too shabby a guitar player, either.

stringman711 - Posted - 06/04/2015:  20:49:15

Grady Martin told me I couldn't. That was the wrong thing to say! But had that been Carl Farmer!, well that's another story!  Click on picture to enlarge.

Edited by - stringman711 on 06/04/2015 21:00:28

 

TheChief - Posted - 06/04/2015:  22:57:56

chuckv97 - Posted - 06/05/2015:  11:18:21

The Gibson Brothers are super - great songs, great brother harmonies, and super musicians. I heard Leigh say in an interview that it was closer to the Canadian border than it was to the nearest store to buy new strings. haha.
About dressing up - I realize the 1st generation wanted to take bluegrass out of the hayseed hillbilly image, and to garner some respect. Kudos to them! But being a teenager in the '60's , I thought the more "hip" casual look with jeans ,etc. attracted me more to the bluegrass culture, so to speak. (Suits were for old guys that were always telling me what to do...😁 )

TheChief - Posted - 06/11/2015:  07:13:35

I SAY THIS JOKINGLY...I SAY THIS JOKINGLY CHUCK.....

MAYBE YOU SHOULD HAVE LISTENED TO THE OLD FOLKS WEARING THEIR SUITS 

s

Ceres Banjo Works - Posted - 06/11/2015:  07:26:40

Having long admired the "Old School" guys, and working for a few; The "suits and ties look" is still where it's at  for me....  I even remember them telling me you need to "look like something" off stage as well.

-Jim

Brett - Posted - 06/11/2015:  07:39:29

I remember Dad taking me to see Bill Monroe and how sharp they looked in their matching white suits and hats.  Same for when I first saw Sonny & Bobby and Jim&Jesse and Jimmy Martin.  I noticed how the volume would increase when the pro's took the stage.  How they knew how to work together and move and project (and the dynamics) and blend, and interaction with the audience just in the right amount (well, except for little Jimmy)....

El Dobro - Posted - 06/11/2015:  09:44:20

quote:

---

Originally posted by TheChief

 

I SAY THIS JOKINGLY...I SAY THIS JOKINGLY CHUCK.....

MAYBE YOU SHOULD HAVE LISTENED TO THE OLD FOLKS WEARING THEIR SUITS 

s

---

I remember one time where you and Bobby dressed to be comfortable on stage, but there was a reason.

TheChief - Posted - 06/13/2015:  07:17:23

It's a business...Always a reason for everything you do, Don.

One other point that might be relevant, maybe not. 

The most successful Bluegrasss bands dress as professional entertainers, or like going to work at an office. Stage being the office. 

Wonder if one considers RHONDA VINCENT AND THE RAGE, DOYLE LAWSON AND QUICKSILVER, GIBSON BROTHERS, SPINNEY BROTHERS, LARRY SPARKS, DAILEY AND VINCENT, DEL McCOURY BAND.and others! ..ARE THESE THE "OLD GUYS IN SUITS?" Just to name a few. If these are the people you're talking about, maybe we ought to listen and pay some more attention. That's the present day most successful people in the Bluegrass Music Business. Respect. Respect for the folks before you who set the bar. MONROE, FLATT AND SCRUGGS, THE STANLEYS, JIM AND JESSE, MAC WISEMAN, JIMMY MARTIN, etc, etc.Respect for what they did, and what you're attempting to do.

THE ABOVE IS STRICTLY MY OPINION, not an argument starter, nor meant to offend anyone!. I DON'T HAVE A DOG IN THE FIGHT ANYMORE. JUST STATING MY OPINION. That and about $3 will buy you a large coffee to go. 

chuckv97 - Posted - 06/13/2015:  08:06:27

Well you know, when you're a know-it-all cocky punk like a lot of us were as teenagers in the sixties, anybody over 30 wasn't to be trusted. lol. The whole "dressing down" thing started then- everybody walking around with holes in their jeans, etc. haha. Makes me laugh now. But I'd go home and put on my F&S ,Osborne Brothers, Carl Story, Monroe records and be fascinated by the sound. Absolutely no disrespect intended.

El Dobro - Posted - 06/13/2015:  08:17:40

Someone running a festival ran out of money. I watched other band busses coming down the hill, finding out, then turning around and going back up the hill. Bobby and you stayed and played. You said that you stayed because of the audience, but you're going to be comfortable doing it, and laughed. That was completely acceptable.

From Greylock to Bean Blossom - Posted - 06/13/2015:  10:02:11

Bean Blossom starts today. Tonight Paul Williams, JD and Doyle get together. Also the good Dr. Ralph Stanley is scheduled to be back. Hope he is feeling ok and doing well. He and Mr. Bill sure held court in this area many times. Lynwood Lunceford is doing a  banjo workshop. Miss Dixie Hall has donated some personal things to the museum and the will be on display. She also donated a very special golf cart to transport the starts to and from the stage. (her words not mine)   There will be a hot time in the old town tonight.

Ken

PS the only thing missing is Sonny at the top of the  hill after the show talking to people, but Mr. Sonny you have done your duty and thank you for it!

TheChief - Posted - 06/14/2015:  13:16:39

Man, that was big of Dixie.

You know, if I remember correctly they ((The Museum) have the clothes Bobby and I wore when we played THE WHITE HOUSE in 1973 when Nixon was the president. 'Twas about three weeks before Watergate broke out for real, and MR. Pres was a nervous, troubled, man. March 18, 1973. Pat Nixon's birthday, and St. Patricks day.  

We flew from Dallas and it was my first time to fly. To be it mildly, I was scared. The night before our flight the next morning, we had visited Bill Mack, the all night disc jockey at WBAP Fort Worth, and he, (oh so graciously) dedicated a song to me that night. Patsy Cline's "I FaLL TO PIECES!" Lovely man, Bill Mack.

s

TheChief - Posted - 06/14/2015:  13:18:51

Ken, you're too kind.

I thank you.

Joe Connor - Posted - 06/14/2015:  13:45:35

We flew from Dallas and it was my first time to fly. To be it mildly, I was scared. The night before our flight the next morning, we had visited Bill Mack, the all night disc jockey at WBAP Fort Worth, and he, (oh so graciously) dedicated a song to me that night. Patsy Cline's "I FaLL TO PIECES!" Lovely man, Bill Mack.

Wow, Sonny, I think we should nominate Mr. Mack for the Smart-Ass Hall of Fame. Very funny story. Thank you for sharing this with us.

From Greylock to Bean Blossom - Posted - 06/16/2015:  21:38:48

Sonny,

Here are your suits:

Edited by - From Greylock to Bean Blossom on 06/16/2015 21:39:21

Norm2704 - Posted - 06/17/2015:  13:17:17

Classy... :)

TheChief - Posted - 06/18/2015:  12:41:40

That's me buddy, all class!!!!!

TheChief - Posted - 06/24/2015:  09:59:14

Hoffmeyer Chief finger picks must be pretty good. I wish they were around whilst I still played.

Thank you Dean.

S 

From Greylock to Bean Blossom - Posted - 06/24/2015:  15:12:08

This thread just went over the century mark of 100 interesting and enjoyable pages!

Thanks Sonny.

Ken

bbanjoboy - Posted - 06/24/2015:  15:20:20

Wonder if they'll be putting (insert your favorite dresser down's name here) clothes in that museum... I doubt it.....

jcomfs - Posted - 07/06/2015:  05:19:08

question-  my scruggs tuner on the third string of my Chief - seems to have "slop " in it-  there is a period during which I turn the tuner but the sting pitch does not change- then it seems to engage - but it makes the tuner kind of ineffective.  can this be adjusted somehow-?

its almost like it doesn;t "grab" for a bit of the turn of the peg

TheChief - Posted - 07/06/2015:  10:55:44

John, to get an honest, knowledgeable answer you should ask Bill Keith.

I would loosen the set screws and perhaps give the tuner a few turns and check if there is any drag at a certain spot.

Then maybe reset the tuner. If it were mine this is what I would do. Maybe someone reading this will have a better thought on the problem. I'll stand behind the Chief banjo but the Keith tuners is not included because I don't have a clue as to how they work.

Tell me John, is your tuner stainless or Gold? And, is the third the larger spool? Give me these answers and I might know someone to get a replacement if nothing works.

Please stay in touch though and I'll help you all I can.

The last thing I heard, Bill is a pretty sick boy right now. Maybe someone has an update on this too.

Kenneth Logsdon - Posted - 07/06/2015:  20:07:54

A guy brought Chief No. 10 to our jam last week.. any info as to age... rim and resonator.. who is assembling and doing the finish work?? A top notch excellent banjo.. First one I've seen in our immediate area..

jcomfs - Posted - 07/10/2015:  17:40:20

Sonny, thank you for your response.   the tuners are gold and no the third string tuner is not bigger than the second string tuner.  what happens is with set screws engaged or not engaged there is a portion the turn of the tuner beg where the string tone does not change.  not even an eighth of a turn but enough that when the tuners are set-  the third string does not go the full range of tone change needed .  also when just trying to tune the third string, the peg turns a bit as mentioned before it actually changes the tune of the string.  I have Keith Tuners on a 1978 Gold Star and they work perfectly.   the tuner I am talking about has always been like this , but there was a period of time where I was not banjo active. now I have the bug again. thanks again

jcomfs - Posted - 07/10/2015:  17:40:47

jcomfs - Posted - 07/10/2015:  17:41:17

Would hate to think about putting those UGLY tuners on my Chief-

TheChief - Posted - 07/11/2015:  17:36:31

Only thing about the Uglies, they work perfectly every time. Granted they won't enhance the cosmetic appearance of any banjo but they were not made for that purpose, they were made to work. And they do.Once adjusted correctly, you won't need to mess with it again.

Hey...today is Dana Cupp's 67th birthday. HAPPY BIRTHDAY OLD FRIEND.

s

bcampbe5 - Posted - 07/11/2015:  19:50:02

Happy B-Day Dana.  You're one of the best, and a dear friend to boot.  Are you really 67?    I think it's more like 57 BUT, time sure is flying by...  

TheChief - Posted - 07/12/2015:  09:33:23

I thank you for bringing my error to my attention.

It's actually 68!    

~

s

TheChief - Posted - 07/12/2015:  09:47:58

Tomorrow, July 13 is Rhonda Vincent's birthday.

s

Barnet in SoCal - Posted - 07/12/2015:  10:48:58

Hi Sonny,

I'd love to buy a set of those Chief / Hoffmeyer picks... might you please let me know the tax / shipping to send them to zip code 90405?

That's in the Santa Monica Badlands of the Los Angeles Territories, in the deep South of Cal-i-for-ni-yay.

Thanks Chief!

Barnet in SoCal

___________________________

-->Earl and Sonny:  the ones… the only-s

TheChief - Posted - 07/12/2015:  22:12:46

Picks are $25 per set of 2, plus $5 shipping for up to 5 sets.

Send your address and they will be on the way to you...and you will love them!.

~

s

Timeless1952 - Posted - 07/15/2015:  10:35:31

The finger picks are GREAT!!!! They come polished ready to use so there is no break in time. You won't be sorry you tried them.

K

Edited by - Timeless1952 on 07/15/2015 10:39:55

Scaggs7 - Posted - 07/15/2015:  17:07:44

I got two sets
the they are good

stringman711 - Posted - 07/18/2015:  21:04:14

IT WAS 56!!!!!!! NOT 67, 57, OR 68!!!.... Thanks Sonny and Brad!! If I knew I was gonna live this long, I would've taken better care of myself!

TheChief - Posted - 07/19/2015:  07:46:36

Dana that's not right...you were 45 when Monroe died in 95. That was 20 yer ago. 20 plus 45 equals 68. Happy birthday.

s

PeterJ - Posted - 07/21/2015:  12:23:19

Sonny - just wanted to say that I caught Bill Emerson and Sweet Dixie recently. Bill was playing his Chief, and I was blown away! Not only did it have the punch and depth of a great banjo, but when he capoed up 4, none - I mean nonn - of the bass went away. The tone was just as full and strong as with no capo. This is the first time I'd heard a Chief in person. I've got one on my wish list, now.

That's an amazing sounding instrument, Chief (of course, the guy driving the banjo may have had a little bit to do with it...)

bcampbe5 - Posted - 07/22/2015:  09:43:39

Peter,

You can't go wrong with a Chief.  I have a mahogany version and absolutely love it.. And, It's getting better all the time.