I'M TOLD THAT OLD FRIEND RAYMOND FAIRCHILD IS IN SERIOUS CONDITION AFTER TURNING HIS TRACTOR OVER ON A HILL. MULTIPLE INJURIES. SOME VERY SERIOUS INCLUDING BLEEDING ON THE BRAIN.
I received several messages today informing me of this information. I'll be sending prayers for Raymond, perhaps you might do the same. I'm sure his family will appreciate any and all.
TO YOU WHO HAVE REQUESTED TO BE INCLUDED ON MY FRIENDS LIST, THEY ARE BEING SENT TO MY EMAIL ADDRESS AND WHEN I TRY TO ACKNOWLEDGE THEM I'M TOLD THAT I HAVE NO REQUESTS AND THEREFORE NO WAY TO ADD YOU TO MY LIST.
I know this has been discussed somewhere but cannot find the discussion... So I apologize for the repeat.... I'm interested in knowing what the difference is between the Chief-Hoffmeyer picks and the regular Hoffmeyer picks. I thought somewhere I read where the blades are more flat on the Chief picks but not 100% certain.
I appreciate any info.
By the way, I'm absolutely LOVING my Mahogany Chief #3 (2003). I've owned it since 2010 and I just cannot put it down! It just keeps getting better and better.
The picks Dean makes for me have a slightly flatter blade which gives a little more full tone in my opinion. Kenny Ingram tells me this also. Dean's picks are so good that one probably could not tell the difference unless you were a working professional player. To be honest, I used the old National the duration of my career and by the time Dean was producing his pick...due to rotator cuff surgery I wasn't able to play. However I've been told by some pretty good players (Professional) that these picks are comparable to the old National, and some say they are better.
It pleases me so much to hear someone talk favorably about one of my Chief banjos. I just received Joe Mullins new CD in which he uses the Rocky Top model and it really sounds good. Joe is a very good player and has a great band, by the way. Perhaps one of, if not the best going right now.
Sonny's picks do have a little flatter blade on them. With the flatter blade you get a much flatter note when you strike the string. That's the very 1st thing I noticed when I tried them. They sounded great right out of the little bag. Most of the time you always had a little break in time for a new set of picks in but these sounded great from the get go.
Another thing that I heard was when I jingled them in my hand they sounded different also. They were bell like and you could hear them ringing and not dull sounding. I play with a light gage set of strings and when you put that flatter blade pick like these you get a much bigger fatter note. Love Um!
A question out of the blue. Did you every pick with Tony Rice? From all the things he brought to the table and all the things you brought to the table, it seems to me that would have been very interesting.
Ken..I have played a bit with Tony...I recorded a Tony Trischka Album with Tony and Sam Bush...Blaine Sprouse might have been on that session too if I remember correctly. Tony is astounding...reminds me somewhat of Chester Adkins...quite different actually, but same approach...they just don't make blunders. That's hard to do in a recording studio when you know that what you do will be there forever. Has a definite effect on some good players.
Tony Rice, is a fun guy to be around, for that matter Sam and Trischka too. They know and respect where it all came from and the part they have played.
Wynn Osborne, great banjo player, my nephew and Bobby's son lives in Ocala Florida. His words, "it's a mess!"
For you who don't know about Wynn, the banjo player...in 1980 I produced an album of Wynn's banjo playing titled "Five String Magic" for CMH records. If you're familiar with this work you know what I'm talking about. For those of you who are not, you need to Google Wynn's name and listen to "the real deal" of banjo playing. And some things that one would not associate with the banjo. The theme from The Pink Panther movies being one. I sat in the control room and watched a teen age boy play Flint Hill Special and Farewell Blues flawlessly, and then have the intestinal fortitude to do some things that wasn't normal.... just plain ain't normal.
Praying that Wynn, and all the others that are in Florida, stay safe. I stood five feet from Wynn this year at SPBGMA and watched him play for over 3 hours and I was completely amazed with what I was watching. He kept the whole room on the "edge of their seat," though most of us were standing up! Aaron Mcdaris was there and let Wynn play most of those songs on the "Rocky Top" banjo. Something I'll never forget. 😉
Hey Sonny. I was thinking about some of the banjos you have endorsed in the past. Stelling, R&T, Recording King. Theres probably more. I was wondering if Gibson ever offered you an endorsement deal ? Seems like there should have been a Sonny Osborne Granada in the mix. Just curious. Thanks, Cliff
Cliff...The Stelling banjo has the best workmanship, and all around just plain good banjo on the market right now. I, with the able assistance of Frank Neat and son Ricky tried to make the Chief banjo as good and I believe we succeeded in doing just that. The materials and workmanship that is put into the Chief banjo is as good as any and better than most...In my opinion.
Rich and Taylor was the best sounding banjo at the time but the neck had problems they seemed to never get just right...thus ending that endorsement.
Gibson had used my Granada for a working pattern to reinvent the new Granada model. I talked at length to a Mr. Berryman about my interest in associating my name with that banjo. Everything went well with one exception. And it was a deal breaker for me. So in 1998 I had Frank Neat get the best materials available and make a banjo...and The Chief became real.
No banjo is EVER going to have the sound of the thirties Gibson, and some of those were not as good as others. I don't know why, and to my knowledge no one has figured it out...I seriously doubt we ever will. Aaron McDaris owns my original Gibson five string RB3 and has it sounding extremely good. But, my Granada number 9584-2 was the best sounding banjo on a night after night basis that I ever had the pleasure of playing. However,The Chief is a good sounding professional grade banjo and perhaps the best, most comfortable playing and affordable banjo on the market today.
Perhaps one day, with age, an OLD CHIEF and some others will match the tones of the old masterpieces...I seriously doubt that happening but it is possible....I guess.
Hey, I know this is much too long, and I rambled and got a far piece off the subject...but I didn't have anything else to do...so....I enjoy talking about that stuff.
hey Sonny. Thanks for the explanation! I always figured that something must have gone astray with Gibson because a Sonny Granada seemed like a natural fit in their lineup. I could not agree with you more about Stelling. Geoff's fit and finish are the best on the planet as far as Im concerned and has always been consistent. I think you made the right move with the Chief. Gibson could have never matched the quality of Frank Neat.
Did you see the picture I posted on you in 1996? Something bad happened that day on stage. I'll never forget it.
If that is the place I'm thinking of, I got really mad at a ceiling fan and attempted to shoot it but the hammer of my Colt 38 got caught in my pants pocket and I couldn't get it out. When David Crow saw and realized what was happening he reminded where we were and I couldn't shoot a fan because it was running, and by the time I got everything straight, my temper had subsided. One might wonder what made me so mad...I went to take THE GRANADA off to pick up the Guitjo and the stupid ceiling fan hit the original neck, which was not replaceable. I was furious. Later that week we were in Georgia and someone (LRL) had placed a wooden straight back chair directly behind me and when I turned I hit it again, harder.
After that show I called Frank Neat and told him to make an exact duplicate of the Granada neck and soon after that I replaced it.
Yep! That was the day and place. I'll never forget that sound and the sick feeling in my stomach! I cant imagine what you were feeling but, you didnt smile much coming off stage. Sonny, did the neck that Frank built you sound much different than the original neck? I would imagine so but then again, that banjo has so much mojo, maybe it didnt make much difference.
Cliff the neck Frank made was 3 grams or .11 ounces difference in weight...note the decimal. Eleven hundredths of one ounce. That ain't much, is it. But then...he's the very best and I guess one could expect something like that. 3 GRAMS!!!!
One person, Raymond McClain commented. He was working with Jim and Jesse at the time.
He was on the way to the Opry and I played the new neck that night for the first time. Raymond heard it and when he came in our dressing room, he asked if I had done anything different to my banjo. He said it sounded a bit different, still good but just different. I really couldn't tell any change at all. It looked and played exactly the same. Actually a better built neck than the original.
Sick feeling when it happened. I've thought about that many times and each time I've wondered, and been asked what I would have done if the 38 wasn't stuck in my pocket...would I have shot the ceiling fan??? After destroying a valuable non replaceable work of art, I think it,. the ceiling fan deserved it, but to actually have done the deed would have made me look really stupid, huh? Where the fan struck the neck left a mark...scar if you will...or both. It hit at the top of the peg head just above the N in Gibson.
A friend, Charles Perry was sitting on the front row beside Chubby Wise (Original Bluegrass Boy fiddle player 1945) and he told me later that when it happened and everyone saw what was about to happen, Chubby said, "Huh oh, They's about to be trouble hyer)
I don't know about stupid. I am sure it would have made you look passionate and controversial. From what I have heard, Raymond Fairchild has used a pistol to remove some hindering objects and Raymond wants it played right and he is well respected.
Dana and Brandon...00 or Double zero is a special banjo for real. The first Osborne Chief built...June 16, 1998. It's been on an uncountable number of albums and been played by some of the best players in the world. All say the same thing. It is awfully close to the Granada. I would be inclined to agree.
Who would have thought that David would become a respected attorney! he is a great guy and always friendly to fans. He gave you some good advice that day but still, if you had started shooting that ceiling fan, well, it would have made a great story ; ). Glad you didn't though. Thats pretty amazing about the new Neat neck but, knowing Frank's work, It does not surprise me. Too bad you didnt have a Chief when you were touring hard and could have saved the Granada for the studio or Opry. Great information Sonny. I appreciate it. I wish more of the legends would participate here with the enthusiasm that you do!
Last night in Raleigh, Sonny took the stage to join Bobby and sang Rocky Top at the IBMA Awards show. The crowd went nuts and rose to their feet when Sonny came walking out! Alison Brown led an all-star band with triple banjos and triple fiddles, but it was the brothers who shined brightest.
Thank you Chief for making the trip and giving the bluegrass community a treat they won't forget!
"That Rocky Top was a good ol horse to ride, wasn't it?"
Amen to that....I want to publicly thank Kenny Ingram and Larry Stephenson for taking me to Raleigh in Larry's bus. As you know I don't fly, can't walk, and won't drive that far. So thank you Larry and Kenny for being such good friends. It was so good to be there with Bobby and hear him still "bringing it" at 86 years old...December 7.
That was fabulous Sonny! Also, Suzanne my son and his wife went to Bean Blossom last Friday and Saturday, and Bobby did not disappoint. Made Suzanne's day getting to see him for the 2nd time this year. It was hot and muggy last weekend, but well worth it. Again- great to see you standing on stage with Bobby. And thanks @Bryan Haywood for posting the video
Mr. Sonny, I've read where Roy Acuff was really scrappy and insisted on being top dog at the Opry (when younger), and that Monroe felt very similar. I can't recall what book I read where it said they actually squared off and Big Mon finally gave up on whipping Roy and just quit. Any of that true? I don't suppose it is, but it was in some recent bio type book (can't recall who said they did fight)...
Roy was about 5'8" and 170 lbs. Bill was 6'4" and 275 in 1952...and strong as an ox. He wouldn't have had very much trouble with Roy..in my opinion...however...opinions are like Ford and Chevy...everyone has one...or should have had one at some point.
Honestly, I don't know of any kind of physical trouble between Roy and Bill. Although there was a problem with each claiming the first to sing Mule Skinner Blues on the Opry. Roy appeared first in 1938. Bill in 1939. Did you know Roy's first audition did not go well but the second time succeeded...just a bit of a history lesson fer youn's!
Monroe was a member of the Opry from October 28,1939 until September 1996. Acuff , 1938 until November 1992.
Cliff the neck Frank made was 3 grams or .11 ounces difference in weight...note the decimal. Eleven hundredths of one ounce. That ain't much, is it. But then...he's the very best and I guess one could expect something like that. 3 GRAMS!!!!
One person, Raymond McClain commented. He was working with Jim and Jesse at the time.
He was on the way to the Opry and I played the new neck that night for the first time. Raymond heard it and when he came in our dressing room, he asked if I had done anything different to my banjo. He said it sounded a bit different, still good but just different. I really couldn't tell any change at all. It looked and played exactly the same. Actually a better built neck than the original.
Sick feeling when it happened. I've thought about that many times and each time I've wondered, and been asked what I would have done if the 38 wasn't stuck in my pocket...would I have shot the ceiling fan??? After destroying a valuable non replaceable work of art, I think it,. the ceiling fan deserved it, but to actually have done the deed would have made me look really stupid, huh? Where the fan struck the neck left a mark...scar if you will...or both. It hit at the top of the peg head just above the N in Gibson.
A friend, Charles Perry was sitting on the front row beside Chubby Wise (Original Bluegrass Boy fiddle player 1945) and he told me later that when it happened and everyone saw what was about to happen, Chubby said, "Huh oh, They's about to be trouble hyer)
s
I remember Terry McGill and I were in the audience at Sunset Park, wondering why the neck on the Granada didn't look right.
If you lay them side by side I would bet you could not tell them apart. He even put the wear and tear marks in it. And, I don't think we played Sunset Park at that time...wasn't it already gone? What was the date it closed? HUH? HUH?
