RayD - Posted - 12/14/2009:  21:33:51

Chief,

On another topic, how's the book coming along?

Cheers,

RayD

TheChief - Posted - 12/14/2009:  23:25:40

The book is "coming along." Scott Street has done a million interviews, and still has more to go.

Steve..I will be there on the 20th. These are two lifelong friends we're all doing this for. I don't yet know what capacity I'll be used, but whatever it is, I'll try. It surely won't be playing or singing. Probably be doing some MC work if they'll let me. I'm going to ride up with the Grascals I think.

I hope to see you there...all of you who can make it.

s

TheChief - Posted - 12/19/2009:  13:31:18

Any of you going to Banjothon Jan. 9?

DHoffmeyer - Posted - 12/19/2009:  16:58:47

likely !

Siempre - Posted - 12/20/2009:  02:02:44

I'll be there.

mbirdmusic - Posted - 12/20/2009:  06:06:15

What is Banjothon? Where? Glenn

bigbluegrasser - Posted - 12/20/2009:  06:13:57

I'll be there.
Ray

El Dobro - Posted - 12/20/2009:  12:24:15

I'd like to, but too many things always come up for me in January.
Hey Sonny, find a photo you liked?

laceyth9 - Posted - 12/20/2009:  19:12:41

Hey Chief!

Good to see you today in Wilmington, OH. Pretty long standing ovation for just walking up to a mic!!! The folks up here just love you and Bobby. Claim you as their own. Then, The Grascals were just super and Kristin was a joy to watch. This is the first time I've seen her with the Grascals and it looks like they are making her the centerpiece. Can't blame them, she has a great stage presence. Couldn't help but watch Terry Eldredge and Kristin cut up during the show.

Also good to see that Dale Vanderpool was well enough to play with Don Rigsby. Don can sure bring the place down with The Kentucky Waltz.

Anyway, it was good to see you again... even if it was from afar.

Tim L.
Chief #5

Edited by - laceyth9 on 12/21/2009 05:05:16

TheChief - Posted - 12/22/2009:  22:38:21

Banjothon is in Maryville TN Jan 9 and it is for everyone who has interest in the banjo. You may bring a banjo to show off, or you may come empty handed.It's run by Larry Mathis and Barry Palmer..both banjo players. There will more than likely be 50 old Gibson mastertones there. It's really interesting.
I think the name of the place is Music Row.

s

banjodave93 - Posted - 12/22/2009:  22:49:52

so anyone can come or do you have to be invited.

BTW: Merry Chirstmas Sonny and isnt Rocky Top's anniversary comin up

TheChief - Posted - 12/23/2009:  08:54:14

Anyone can come...It's mainly just a bunch of show-offs..me included..who are proud of their banjo(s) and wants everyone else to see why they are so proud of them. I usually take the Granada, RB3, and a new Chief. It's really a lot of fun. JD showed up last year and stood around and talked and I don't believe he even brought his banjo! a good time for all.

Don..I'm not sure, but I think one is going to be used for a CD cover photo. I haven't been told yet.

Rocky Top will be 42 years old December 25. Hard for me to believe. I remember thinking 40 years was ancient..now I have a song who will be 42, and it's not the first one either. It has brothers and sisters much older. One older brother, Sunny Mountain Chimes is 15 years older. My goodness, how time does get away. Ray Price has a song entitled "Time"...as a matter of fact I believe the CD is titled the same. But, this song is very interesting..tells all about time. How it doesn't play by rules, waits for no one, and "Everyone runs out of time." Great song.
Oh well....

Merry Christmas All...Thank you for making this possible.

s

Edited by - TheChief on 12/23/2009 09:00:21

DG-banjo - Posted - 12/23/2009:  09:57:39

Wanted to say hello to everyone and wish everybody a Very Merry Christmas! I hope that the Holidays are great for you all. Let us keep in mind the reason for all the celebration of this season! Merry Christmas to Sonny and all of you!!!

kathy315 - Posted - 12/23/2009:  15:01:31

Sonny,and all my hangout friends,have a very Merry Christmas and a happy and healthy new year.I hope to see a lot of you in 2010!!

Greg Earnest - Posted - 12/23/2009:  20:41:41

I'll be there, Sonny!

John J - Posted - 12/24/2009:  05:36:13

Merry Christmas to you Sonny and everyone else here. I hope the New Year brings better times for all of us.

John (#66)

Kep0042 - Posted - 12/24/2009:  09:36:44

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to you Sonny and all my fellow Chiefton's

Banjo Stan - Posted - 12/24/2009:  20:21:50

Merry Christmas Sonny and all the Tribe!

RatLer - Posted - 12/25/2009:  04:43:50

Merry Christmas Sonny and all the Tribe. I'm not a 'Chief' owner, but do enjoy all the stories and comments hear on your 'thread'...fine group of folks

Edited by - RatLer on 12/28/2009 17:43:41

Beardog - Posted - 12/25/2009:  07:30:00

Merry Christmas, everyone...Still loving my maple Chief!

ChipL - Posted - 12/26/2009:  06:32:08

...A belated Merry Christmas to the everyone in the Tribe and warmest wishes for all the best in 2010

....one week to go before Nashcamp 2010 registration opens !!

banjoman69 - Posted - 12/26/2009:  15:11:56

Sonny,
I'll be there.. only 30 min. from home, can't miss that one!

dale v - Posted - 12/28/2009:  14:57:55

how about directions coming from the north, what time?

Banjo Stan - Posted - 12/31/2009:  15:56:39

Happy New Year Sonny and all!
Poke Chipe, Have a great gig in the streets of Philly tomorrow! Stay warm!

kathy315 - Posted - 01/01/2010:  05:30:50

Happy New Year! Chip,stay warm!! Don't forget,Nashcamp reg starts Tomorrow..!!

John J - Posted - 01/01/2010:  06:49:29

Happy New Year Sonny and everyone.

John

TheChief - Posted - 01/02/2010:  07:59:38

Hey...Happiest and most healthy New Year to you all...Now will someone tell Dale Vanderpool where Banjothon is..address, location, how to get there from Columbus Oh. It goes all day Saturday January 9.
As Jimmy Martin would have said:

Thankyi!

s

ChipL - Posted - 01/03/2010:  20:24:11

Happy Belated New Year everyone !! Here's hoping 2010 is the best ever for all of us

Stan/Kathy We had a blast out on Broad Street here in Philadelphia on NYD. Weather was perfect... in the mid 40's and sunny. It was also good seeing many old friends along the way not to mention I was esp. proud of my kids who went up the street again with their old man :)

Here's a link for the uninitiated....

banjohangout.org/topic/167141

Now.... time to break out olde Poke Chipe' and slip back into Bluegrass mode

TheChief - Posted - 01/05/2010:  07:56:08

Vanderpool..according to Jim Smith who is a mandolin player (owner of a Loar) Music Row,where Banjothon is held, is on Rt. 321 South of Knoxville about three miles past the hospital on the right.

see you therre I guess.

s

banjoman69 - Posted - 01/05/2010:  10:05:02

Banjothon:
As you enter Knoxville, follow the signs toward the airport, Hwy 129 toward Maryville. Just south of the airport the road divides, take left fork toward Maryville/Townsend. Go thru approx. 7 traffic lights, good 4 lane highway and as Sonny says just past the Hospital about a mile, Music Row building will be on your right. And for all of you GPS'ters, here is the physical address:
2816 E Lamar Alexander Pkwy
Maryville, TN 37804

dale v - Posted - 01/05/2010:  11:30:24

thanks for the info,health permitting i will be there

kathy315 - Posted - 01/05/2010:  14:53:59

..does anyone know when registration forms for Nashcamp will be out?The site still has the 2009 one..thanks

R.C. Stern - Posted - 01/05/2010:  18:10:40

Kathy,

As of 8:00 pm CST, the registration form is up for the Banjo Retreat!!!!! My check's going into the mail tomorrow.

See you there.

Rick

TheChief - Posted - 01/06/2010:  08:51:20

Dale, see you Saturday then...Kathy and Rick..Kathy needs a Chief banjo to replace her "toy." (Joke) And I hope to see you both at banjo camp.
It's supposed to snow here tomorrow (joke) so maybe I'll get to see it again before my alternative.

We have three new people with Chief banjos..Bob Emmert from New Mexico, Shin Toki from Japan, and David Carusello from Waterbury, Conn.. Thanks and welcome boys.

s

Edited by - TheChief on 01/06/2010 08:54:28

TheChief - Posted - 01/06/2010:  09:05:02

Need I remind all that today (January 6) is Earl's birthday...number 86 I believe.

Also my third (3) anniversary of the strokesville world. I remind myself how fortunate I am to have gotten off so easily..and I thank all the people involved in getting me back to as near normal as I am...which is not saying much!

s

Music Row of Maryville - Posted - 01/06/2010:  10:24:35

quote:

---

Originally posted by banjoman69

Banjothon:
As you enter Knoxville, follow the signs toward the airport, Hwy 129 toward Maryville. Just south of the airport the road divides, take left fork toward Maryville/Townsend. Go thru approx. 7 traffic lights, good 4 lane highway and as Sonny says just past the Hospital about a mile, Music Row building will be on your right. And for all of you GPS'ters, here is the physical address:
2816 E Lamar Alexander Pkwy
Maryville, TN 37804

---

kathy315 - Posted - 01/06/2010:  14:57:30

Rick,will definately be there!! Thanks.....Now...Sonny...my little 'toy' has been very good to me..of course,someday I'll hit Paul up for a Chief!! 3 years already?Time flies...I am so glad you are well!

Tyler8 - Posted - 01/07/2010:  10:48:10

Kathy,

Gonna hurt to have got get that tatoo removed and replaced by a chief logo....

Tyler

kathy315 - Posted - 01/07/2010:  15:21:14

Tyler,I do believe there is pleny of room back there for a Chief tattoo next to the Gibson..hahah

Woolpersteve - Posted - 01/08/2010:  06:26:12

Chief,
You are back. UK is back .All is well again.
Wish I could sneak down to Banjothon but cannot.
I will say , and I know you get tired of hearing this , my Chief banjo sounds amazing and gets better every day.The tone gets more full and more pre-war as time goes by .I think you have figured this banjo making thing out .I do like the heavier strings as well.There is more sound to pull out .
Enjoy Saturday .
Steve

TheChief - Posted - 01/11/2010:  09:15:15

Banjothon was good. Larry and Barry do such a fine job putting this thing together. I saw a lot of people I knew from last year and a few that came for the first time. It wasn't quite as crowded because of the weather but was still well attended. I stayed most of the day and was tired at the end but enjoyed every minute. Had two guys from the Czeck Republic. Pruca and friend (Can't remember his name) Pruca..yeah the guy who makes the banjos and tail pieces.
Anyways, on behalf of Larry and Barry, thank you all for coming and we'll see you next year, health permitting.

s

banjodave93 - Posted - 01/12/2010:  02:59:17

Hey sonny, i got a quick question for ya. Why wasnt your RB-3(The Rocky Top Banjo) Featured in Jim Mills Book?

TheChief - Posted - 01/12/2010:  08:18:23

I've wondered that myself. He had pictures taken of both and I thought he would have used it beings that may be one of the most popular banjos of all time. I shouldn't have said it quite that way..sounded big headed huh?
What I meant was Rocky Top is one of the two most played, and heard, songs of all time. Foggy Mtn. Breakdown would be the other...and that is the banjo that was played on that song. I don't know why he didn't use it...and I'll surely never ask...I mention it now simply because you asked.

s

Edited by - TheChief on 01/12/2010 08:22:36

banjodave93 - Posted - 01/12/2010:  16:58:29

It will remain a mistery i guess...............your granada always had the SOUND, but i always LOVED the sound of that old 3. I tend to have a Thing for Mahogany banjos. I have an old video of you all pickin at renfro valley(i think). that was when Terry Eldridge and Terry Smith was with you guys. You were playin your 3 on there and that thing is a CANNON! Its just too awsome of a banjo not to be mentiond. If i ever come to banjothon next year, i hope maybe to get to pick that banjo. I will of course bring the deed to my house and my life insurance policy

Edited by - banjodave93 on 01/12/2010 17:01:11

El Dobro - Posted - 01/15/2010:  16:59:06

Hey Sonny,
One time when I saw you at Pickin' in the Pasture, the Brothers were doing the single mic thing. I spoke to Bobby and Dana after the set and asked about the mic and Dana had a spare and showed it to me.

Do you remember what the mic was?

TheChief - Posted - 01/16/2010:  06:35:32

I don't remember right off the top of my head but I will make a point to find out.

Dana's on here occasionally, if he sees this he'll tell you. I remember it was a cheap little mic. One would not think it would produce the sound but it did.

I hope you're doing well Don.

s

El Dobro - Posted - 01/16/2010:  06:52:25

I was really surprised when I saw you were using the single mic again and was even more surprised to see that the mic was about the size of a party dog, so I made a point of asking about it. You had a really great sound going.

skybolt - Posted - 01/16/2010:  08:15:38

WOW!! I just got the chance to play my first Chief, and was blown away. Look's like i'll have to call Sonny soon, my piggy bank is almost full!!
Jerry

El Dobro - Posted - 01/16/2010:  08:53:25

Down through the years, that old 3 was my favorite. I grew up listening to that banjo. It was there all the time the Osbornes were creating their sound, first on MGM, then on Decca.