rbfour5 - Posted - 06/19/2017:  18:58:55

And yes, Kristen Benson sounded great too! I could not tell what banjo she was playing; it was dark when they finished out the night, and we just weren't close enough to really tell. There seemed to be a name block at the 15th fret, and another name block at the 21st, and appeared to be Flying Eagle inlay. (If I had to guess, a Chief Rocky Top?).

Oh, if my best were the level of when you may have struggled, I would have to eat a jar of dill pickles to wipe the smile off my face.......

BTW- Sammy held a banjo workshop on Saturday afternoon, and there was a gentleman on the stage with him who drove your bus, and thought he said he played guitar too? I believe his first name was Dick (but I could be wrong). Wore overalls, told a lot of stories. And Sammy really gave you a great deal of credit in teaching him about the "business" of leading a band. It was a great workshop. Both Sammy and Dick are just down to earth, great people. They made a regular ol' dirt clod like me feel very welcomed to sit, listen, ask questions- what a blast!

From Greylock to Bean Blossom - Posted - 06/20/2017:  04:14:23

KSB was playing a Gibson.

I believe the gentleman in overhauls you are referring to is Raymond Huffmaster. The link below has his picture. while I was not at the workshop, it sounds like you are describing him.

monroemandolincamp.com/2014/ra...ffmaster/

ken

Edited by - From Greylock to Bean Blossom on 06/20/2017 04:20:03

The Chief - Posted - 06/20/2017:  09:58:50

Definitely Raymond E Huffmaster. He drove the bus for us..10 years. Some of the most enjoyable times of my 55 year career. Great driver, good guitar player (rhythm) sung occasionally, owns a place in Mississippi called Loafers Glory. Got everything, including the kitchen sink...it might be 100 years old, but if you are looking for it, he's probably got it. Good man, good friend.

If Kristin was playing a banjo with two name blocks with FLYING EAGLE inlay..it could have been the Rock Top Chief...she does have one..but her #3 Gibson looks just like it, but only has one name block....and sounds like a good flathead...which it is. She is such a great player. I love her as a friend, and as a person...if you ever wanted to know someone whose heart and mind is in the right place, it's Kristin Scott Benson.

​s

Edited by - The Chief on 06/20/2017 10:03:44

rbfour5 - Posted - 06/20/2017:  10:54:48

That's him- You are correct Ken, and Sonny. He sure had some stories to tell, and yes He is a good man.

The Chief - Posted - 06/23/2017:  16:05:43

Did you know;

Bill Emerson, Charlie Waller, and John Duffy were the founding members of THE COUNTRY GENTLEMEN in 1957.

Little trivia.

s

From Greylock to Bean Blossom - Posted - 06/23/2017:  20:34:12

I would have flunked on that one Sonny as I thought Eddie Adcock was in there before Bill Emerson.

Was listening to Tom T. Hall songs tonight on the internet. the way he sang and the words he used took me back to a time when if we were on my grandmas farm it was a big deal if someone came over and  we could tell who was coming by the sound of their car. i mean it was out in the Ozark country and lots of red clay roads and hot summers. Frog giggin, trot lines, hot dog roasts and ticks.

ken

The Chief - Posted - 06/24/2017:  11:23:11

Ken..that is from Bill... he was first. 

We did a song called "Cut The Cornbread" that tells that same story. We lived on a creek, Thousandsticks, Kentucky...and you could hear a truck coming long before you could see it. There was no road so they had to drive in the creek for the most part, and in "Bull Dog" which some call "Granny" gear...I guess it's a gear lower the first. 

 Farmer Couch, (my Dad's brother in law) had bought a 1940 Dodge flatbed. Bobby and I were standing about 50 yards from the creek, on a hill beside our house, and we heard this sound. I asked Bobby what it was and he said, "That's a Truck!" We ran down and followed it for a ways. The first vehicle we had ever seen. I was 4 and Bobby was 10.

s

rbfour5 - Posted - 06/24/2017:  14:32:24

"Cut the cornbread Momma company's coming.......great song!

Mark Cox - Posted - 06/24/2017:  18:23:47

They've all been here before, they're coming back again, while they old green car is still a running', we all know what a good time there's going to be, cut the corn bread mama companies coming.

chuckv97 - Posted - 06/24/2017:  20:02:29

Great tune ,that. "Cut the Cornbread, Mama" was on this album I had.  Also one of my faves , "Sure-Fire".

Edited by - chuckv97 on 06/24/2017 20:05:37

rbfour5 - Posted - 06/24/2017:  21:12:19

I'm with you Chuck- I love "Sure-Fire"

From Greylock to Bean Blossom - Posted - 06/25/2017:  06:28:49

Sonny,

Living in a place where people have to drive down a creek bed to get to you: that is remote. What did you think were the good things and the bad things about living in a place so remote? Was there any stuff from there that you have had a lasting effect or things that you keep near you? and I am not talking about physical things.

One of the things I remember was shaking hands with some Ozark farmers. Those hands were thick and calloused and they looked you in the eye when they shook your hand. And the custom of that place and era was that contracts weren't necessary but when you shook on it, well people were good for their word and lying was disgusting. My grandmother was a little girl in the Oklahoma territory.  Her father laid railroad bed and she spent time living in a covered wagon and went to school with Indian children. Remember when running water came to the farm and we didn't have to draw it out of the cistern.  I consider myself very fortunate to have seen that life then.  My how times have changed.

Just wondering what thoughts you have of it.

Ken

ken

The Chief - Posted - 06/25/2017:  06:52:17

Man, you all are something. I thought that song was so obscure that NO ONE would remember, but happily I was wrong. You surprise me. You will notice two banjos played in harmony. That's Dale Sledd playing the lead and I played harmony. Dale was a good banjo player, great harmony singer, and equally great rhythm Guitar player, and good bass player.  One of the three best Guitar players I had the pleasure of playing the banjo with.

 Sure Fire..I think one of the best bluegrass instrumentals ever. Written by my brother and shows that he was a great mandolin player as well as singer..named for THE WILBURN BROTHERS publishing Company, Sure Fire Music...

GRAND OLE OPRY, DECCA RECORDS, SONGS...Teddy Wilburn found, and re-wrote sooo many songs without taking any credit...Those four men were so important in our career, as well as Loretta Lynn. They built her from scratch...and she appreciated it so much that when she made the movie "Coal Miner's Daughter" their names were not mentioned...not once. OK...she wasn't actually in the movie but every word spoken came from her.

Sad

s

Edited by - The Chief on 06/25/2017 06:56:10

The Chief - Posted - 06/25/2017:  07:04:52

Ken, you bring up an interesting subject, One I will give some thought and answer later. You have my handshake on that!

s

rbfour5 - Posted - 06/25/2017:  12:56:22

I don't believe there is anything obscure regarding Osborne Brothers songs/ recordings in our house. Suzanne has been singing and remembering a lot of these great tunes ever since seeing Bobby perform 2 weeks ago at Bean Blossom. She cracks me up, "Banjo's Going Home" has been stuck in her head; I catch her singing it around the house. I had forgotten all about the "Bluegrass Express" album until Chuck posted the picture.

The twin banjo work is awesome on "Cut the Cornbread", had no idea that Dale played the banjo- and very well. This is what I like about this thread, your willingness to share with us these back stories. Some has said it earlier, if you, Bobby and others (say your All Star Lunch buddies...) would get together, write all these stories, information, the history of all of your careers, what a book that would be. I would buy it!

The Chief - Posted - 06/28/2017:  08:31:39

Ken;

From Thousand sticks I remember the talking machine (wind up record player)...My Dad was a huge Jimmy Rogers, Carter Family fan..he also had an open back banjo that no one was allowed to touch ;-)  a battery radio and the Grand Ole Opry...Roy Acuff and Bill Monroe...The news from NBC I think...Gabriel Heeter, sponsored by WHIZ..(The best nickel candy there is)...Joe Louis and Billy Conn...fighting 15 rounds I think. Bobby had it a lot harder than I because he was 6 years older. Looking back, life was good, really hard for parents..but that was just how it was.. I guess you would say poverty, but we didn't know that word. No electricity, plumbing, cars, Ice boxes, bathroom, no one else had any of that either...so...That's enough for now.... 

s

From Greylock to Bean Blossom - Posted - 06/28/2017:  17:32:58

Sonny, thanks for the answer. The talking machine

A while ago I thought your were thinking of writing a book. Are you still giving that any thought? quite a diversity of experiences.

ken

The Chief - Posted - 07/02/2017:  09:39:39

Ken..About the book. A lot of people requested I do a book. It was suggested by Scott Street, a great friend, banjo player, lawyer, from Richmond, Virginia...and he would do all the interviews, etc. I said ok. Scott did an enormous amount of leg work, and brainwork...to no avail..he became very ill and passed from this life. Bill Evans, when hearing of Scott's passing, offered to finish what Scotty had started. Bill being an excellent writer..having authored several books...I was  grateful that he would be so kind. THEN....Bill's wife Kathy contracted a form of leukemia requiring two bone marrow transplants which understandably put everything on hold...again! 

It really didn't bother me that the book was put on hold...If Bill gets the time...ever..and wants to continue...he has my blessing to do so. 

That's the latest information on the book...we should call it..."The True Story of S"..with about 400 pages of nothing..completely blank. Then at the end, sign it. That would be all!

How bout that? Good idea?

s

From Greylock to Bean Blossom - Posted - 07/02/2017:  10:10:58

Sonny,

I have a buddy named Chuck Kriese. He is a great tennis coach having won 3 national coach of the hear awards while he coached at Clemson. He has written a bunch of tennis books. I asked him how he had time with coaching, recruiting, summer camps and all. He told me just when you get up write a little each day.  I used to read with great interest your Sonny Side articles in BNL and know that what you write would be interesting. I mention this if you are so inclined.

I am sorry for the misfortunes of all the people involved in getting it off the ground.

Ken

Edited by - From Greylock to Bean Blossom on 07/02/2017 10:12:53

bevans - Posted - 07/04/2017:  10:44:29

Happy July 4th everybody! Just in case you haven't heard this, check out the Chief playing "America The Beautiful" by linking to this YouTube video. All the best, Bill Evans

rbfour5 - Posted - 07/04/2017:  11:00:26

Thanks for sharing Bill. All the best to you and your family!

From Greylock to Bean Blossom - Posted - 07/04/2017:  11:56:05

quote:

---

Originally posted by bevans

 

Happy July 4th everybody! Just in case you haven't heard this, check out the Chief playing "America The Beautiful" by linking to this YouTube video. All the best, Bill Evans

---

Gorgeous!

Thanks.

Happy 4th of July.

ken

The Chief - Posted - 07/12/2017:  09:40:40

HAPPY BIRTHDAY... BANJO, GUITAR MAN....DANA CUPP.

bcampbe5 - Posted - 07/12/2017:  09:44:48

Yes indeed; Happy Birthday Daner! 

stringman711 - Posted - 07/12/2017:  20:52:23

Thank you Sonny and Brad! Yep. I share a birthday with Carl Farmer!

The Chief - Posted - 07/13/2017:  17:45:33

TODAY IS RHONDA VINCENT'S BIRTHDAY.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY RHONDA

Nathan Nisley - Posted - 07/15/2017:  08:41:01

Happy belated birthday Mr. Cupp! I just found out that I share a birthday with Rhonda Vincent.

Mark Cox - Posted - 07/17/2017:  08:47:34

I've been listening to the new Bobby Osborne record this morning. Wow! The opening track "They call the wind Maia" blew me away and just kept getting better. Man, this is a great record. His voice STILL cannot be topped!!! Best record of anyone's that I've heard in a long time.

FlyinEagle - Posted - 07/17/2017:  09:05:10

quote:

---

Originally posted by Mark Cox

 

I've been listening to the new Bobby Osborne record this morning. Wow! The opening track "They call the wind Maia" blew me away and just kept getting better. Man, this is a great record. His voice STILL cannot be topped!!! Best record of anyone's that I've heard in a long time.

 

---

I’ve really been enjoying “Kentucky Morning” from the same album.  Very moving lyrics!

Mark Cox - Posted - 07/17/2017:  10:23:32

quote:

---

Originally posted by Mark Cox

 

I've been listening to the new Bobby Osborne record this morning. Wow! The opening track "They call the wind Maria" blew me away and just kept getting better. Man, this is a great record. His voice STILL cannot be topped!!! Best record of anyone's that I've heard in a long time.

 

---

The Chief - Posted - 07/18/2017:  16:06:09

My Brother IS unbelievable. I've been saying that for 50 years.

He'll be happy to hear that from you all...and I'll see that he gets it. Thank you.

s 

Tim13 - Posted - 07/20/2017:  09:56:53

Speaking of Rhonda Vincent.....

I saw her perform recently at the bluegrass festival in Charlotte Michigan.  For all you southerners, it's pronounced "Shar-lot", not "Sharlut" like that other place in North Carolina.....LOL.

Anyhow, during her first set, she talked about you Sonny, and the singing you did on one of her CD's.  She also mentioned that the bluegrass festival in Charlotte Michigan was one of the last places the Osborne Brothers performed.  Is this true?

Tim

The Chief - Posted - 07/20/2017:  14:38:40

First, if you saw her and that band, man..you saw nearly the best Bluegrass has to offer. I think her daughter Sally is a good addition too.

Yes, Char..lott ...was one of the last places we worked. Played there many times. Good place, good crowd, good people. All were kind to us. 

s 

El Dobro - Posted - 07/23/2017:  20:52:13

And Staten Island, NY. 

The Chief - Posted - 07/31/2017:  15:13:37

July 31 1964 The Osborne Brothers, of which I am one :-)>, were made members of THE Grand Ole Opry. 53 years ago.

When it was THE GRAND OLE OPRY.

s

chuckv97 - Posted - 07/31/2017:  15:21:33

On good nights I could pick up WSM and the Opry back in the '60's ,living in southern Ontario. I'd hear you pickin' the banjo and the "wawa" of the station fading in and out had a cool phase-shifter effect. Ha. Congrats and thanks for the longtime memories and music, Sonny!

From Greylock to Bean Blossom - Posted - 07/31/2017:  19:02:05

53 years! Man, time flies.

ken

The Chief - Posted - 08/03/2017:  07:51:04

Chuck:

When I was a kid, I would listen to Earl with the same AM radio wa wa (WNOX, WVLK, WRVA, WPTF) and yes, those memories are priceless.

s

MisChief - Posted - 08/07/2017:  15:20:06

?

The Chief - Posted - 08/07/2017:  15:24:45

Oh my goodness...I had quite a list of friends...but somehow lost them. I now have 10!!!!!

s

RatLer - Posted - 08/08/2017:  05:20:39

Not to worry, your friends are still here....computers and servers just can't keep up with us...LOL

The Chief - Posted - 08/08/2017:  13:17:54

I golly, I appreciate that Greg.

You are in Kettering...I lived in Dayton, Huber Heights, Dayton View, as a kid..went to Jefferson TWP and Fairview High school..first appearance on radio was WPFB in Middletown.

s

Nathan Nisley - Posted - 08/08/2017:  13:25:11

I know this is slightly off topic- but since this is the Chief thread, I thought I'd mention it. I had the chance to see the Rocky Top RB-3 on Saturday at Milan. Aaron McDaris makes it sound great! He let me see it up close, which was very nice of him. I was scared to touch it! Definitely one of the best banjos I've heard.

Edited by - Nathan Nisley on 08/08/2017 13:29:26

The Chief - Posted - 08/09/2017:  09:20:19

It's definitely in good hands...and HOME!

s

momo - Posted - 08/09/2017:  09:31:40

Sonny, before you retired, were you using the same gauge strings as the your GHS sig set 11 12 13 22 11.

The Chief - Posted - 08/10/2017:  10:14:13

Nope... for the last 7-8 years before retiring I went with 10-11-12-20-10, which I used all during the 50's and up to 68. Less tone and volume...but way easier to play, especially the left hand​. In the 50's we used a Gibson wound third for a fourth. I don't know this, but if you were to ask Crowe and Earl, I would bet they did the same thing. After 68 we got so busy and I broke thos small strings soI raised the gauges. Later I used three 11's.(1st, 2nd, and 5th) Don't ask why, I don't know.

s

The Chief - Posted - 08/10/2017:  10:19:32

Dean and Suzanne Meece, I haven't forgotten you...I'm still looking.

s

rbfour5 - Posted - 08/10/2017:  10:34:09

No rush here; you have plenty going on I'm sure. Hopefully you'll have another lunch crowd report with your buddies you can share with us all!

RFsquared - Posted - 08/16/2017:  18:32:43

I haven't posted in a long time, however I felt I needed to sing praises. I took possession of #108 in August of 2005.

Since that time I have had the opportunity to play at county fairs, private parties, radio, tv shows, two cruises, three shows at Song of the Mountains on PBS and recently a bluegrass festival in Canada. The band I'm with was formed in 1979 and three of the original members are still in it, I joined in 2001. We play traditional, progressive,original, gospel and a few old rock and roll songs in a bluegrass style.

With that being said, every show we have played, someone has ask about this banjo. At the Canada festival, the banjo player with the headliner group, said it was the cleanest sounding banjo he had ever heard.

So, I want to thank you Sonny for caring enough for this instrument and for putting together the Best Team to build it. It is a far better instrument than my talent level will ever be able to match.

Rick, Proud Owner of Chief #108