bbanjoboy - Posted - 10/16/2017:  14:37:53

Sonny, you are most welcome, but it is us the fan that should be doing the thanking.. You know, that road is hard.. and you sacrificed a lot.. Granted, it's better than swinging a hoe all day, but it's not an easy life.. I'm sure you did it for music, money, companionship, etc etc and not necessarily in that order.. The truth is that you also did it for the fans.. and I for one am exceptionally grateful.. You, Little Roy, and Ralph were my 3 banjo heros.. I was fortunate to have made a living playing for quite a few years.. and if it weren't for folks like you, that probably never would have been... that being said.. banjo playing is one thing.. you practice long enough.. you can get it... but those harmonies... my friend.. you just can't learn that... you and your brother are blessed in the vocal category... all the banjo breaks in the world are not what made 'the Osborne brothers'... those HARMONIES are what set you guys head and shoulders above the rest... of course those bluesey banjo licks never hurt!!

fitch5string - Posted - 10/16/2017:  15:19:45

quote:

---

Originally posted by TheChief

Cliff, I sang lead on a couple songs, I Just Steal Away And Pray, and Lovey Told Me Goodby, and the chorus on New Pardner Waltz.

That was three too many. I loved to make the banjo talk for me but never, NEVER sing solo. I detested singing alone. 

s

 

 

---

I Just Steal Away on the Favorite Hymns album? If that is you, it sounds great to me!

El Dobro - Posted - 10/16/2017:  16:27:46

quote:

---

Originally posted by bbanjoboy

OK Chief, I've got a question for ya.... After being a fan for about 45 years or so, I can see a lot of influences in your music.. but what has me stumped is this: your vocals.. You and Bobby had THE most incredible vocals in bluegrass EVER... So it begs the question, where did they come from? For example, on 'bluegrass memories'.. The blend is insane, you guys sounded like nobody else.. Where did that come from? It was just heavenly... "Kentucky" the way you guys moved all over the melody and came back together just sends chills... In comparison, Ralph singing 'Gloryland", Bill singing with the 'bluegrass quartet' "Jim & Jesse" even the Louvin brothers... all INCREDIBLE in their own right, but you and Bobby were like NOTHING else... There had to be SOME kind of influence, but when I consider all genres that I'm aware of, I can see absolutely nothing like the two of you.. Even the last 'Tennessee" on the last chorus of Rocky Top was over the TOP... As you once recorded "Thanks for all the memories"......

---

Ira Louvin sang with the Osbornes on Give This Message To Your Heart, which happens to have been composed by the Louvins. 

bbanjoboy - Posted - 10/19/2017:  13:08:56

Hey Chief, Thought you might enjoy this! Love it!!!

facebook.com/lincoln.hensley/v...19455852/

TheChief - Posted - 10/19/2017:  16:39:15

Hey Kenny, I know Lincoln. He's from Flag Pond Tn. 19 years old, Going to college, and be coming a fine banjo player. The break he just learned and posted was "It's Gonna Be Rainin When I Die" from our NASHVILLE cd and if I must say so myself, for me it was a little bit tough, but he learned to do that break a lot quicker than it took me to figure it out. 6 string banjo and all. He and his parents came over and had lunch with our little group a few weeks ago...not so little any more.

There is another young man from Charlotte, Brandon Henson who is playing banjo..real banjo...awfully good. Sounds as though banjo picking is in pretty good hands. I'm proud of both because they are  doing it right. I mean every string and every note in the right place.

s 

bbanjoboy - Posted - 10/19/2017:  21:38:01

I know what you mean.. I 'met' Lincoln through the internet.. He and my buddy Greg Rich are pals.. I was so glad to see a young guy doing it 'right' that I sent him one of our straps~ Gotta love when they are doing it right!

gibson49classic - Posted - 10/20/2017:  06:37:18

Thanks Sonny, you're playing has always stood above everyone else's for me. I will say there have been many times I've had trouble "figuring out" Sonny's breaks, and he has always been willing to help me out with them. Something was said the other day that might've slipped past you, as I was sitting at the table, I heard "Edard" say to Larry, "How would you like to be a banjo player at 19 years old and be setting at a table having lunch with Sonny Osborne, Don Reno's son Ronnie, Earl's son Gary, and Kenny Ingram?" I was very thankful to get to meet you the other day, and all the others too.

Edited by - gibson49classic on 10/20/2017 06:40:42

Mike Rowe - Posted - 10/20/2017:  06:56:53

Wow Lincoln!

TheChief - Posted - 10/20/2017:  13:46:06

EDDARD LARNCE STUBBS

LARNCE STEPHENSON

TheChief - Posted - 10/21/2017:  13:41:38

THAT WOULD BE 

Edward Lawrence Stubbs and Larry Stephenson

fgodbey - Posted - 10/21/2017:  13:52:07

quote:

---

Originally posted by TheChief

...

There is another young man from Charlotte, Brandon Henson who is playing banjo..real banjo...awfully good. Sounds as though banjo picking is in pretty good hands. I'm proud of both because they are  doing it right. I mean every string and every note in the right place.

s 

---

Yessir, that Brandon Henson gets the job done, no doubt in my mind!

youtube.com/watch?v=9ExccmuohrM

Edited by - fgodbey on 10/21/2017 13:56:19

TheChief - Posted - 10/22/2017:  20:39:23

BILL EVANS' WIFE KATHY PASSED AT ABOUT 10:15 CENTRAL TIME TONIGHT.

chuckv97 - Posted - 10/22/2017:  22:36:20

Aw man, that’s sad. My condolences to Bill and family.

RayD - Posted - 10/23/2017:  03:37:52

Condolences are certainly in order for Bill and his family. My prayers go with him as well.

rbfour5 - Posted - 10/23/2017:  04:50:55

Sad news, thoughts and prayers to Bill and his family.

DG-banjo - Posted - 10/23/2017:  05:13:07

Prayers of peace and comfort to Bill and their family-

chief3 - Posted - 10/23/2017:  07:31:41

My condolences to the family and friends of Bill and Kathy Evans.

From Greylock to Bean Blossom - Posted - 10/23/2017:  08:40:26

Here is a thread on Bill's wife and maybe a more appropriate and effective place to express condolences:

banjohangout.org/topic/335939

Ken

kevin chilton - Posted - 10/24/2017:  07:00:08

Prayers going up.

From Greylock to Bean Blossom - Posted - 10/24/2017:  07:03:06

Kevin,
Bill is following the above thread that I posted and has even responded to it.
ken

TheChief - Posted - 10/28/2017:  10:45:21

I'm sure Bill appreciates all the condolences, prayers, and well wishes you guys have offered. 

I personally thank you for being the kind of folks you are.

s

markbyrum - Posted - 10/28/2017:  15:16:06

Happy birthday, a day in advance, Sonny; and many, many more!
Mark Byrum

HPNomad - Posted - 10/28/2017:  16:15:35

Sonny, I saw you with Bobby on stage for the 50th anniversary of Rocky Top. I can admit that I teared up a little bit.

TheChief - Posted - 10/28/2017:  16:38:36

Thank you MARK. I appreciate that.

Corey, were you there or still in Japan?  It was a fun night. Being on stage with Bobby amongst the best band in the world. Mind blowing to say the least.

s

fgodbey - Posted - 10/28/2017:  21:07:07

It's after midnight here in UK country where the Cats squeaked by the Vols (sorry UT folks) -- but that doesn't matter because now it's officially The Chief's birthday, so have a great day, Sonny!

chuckv97 - Posted - 10/28/2017:  21:44:21

Have a great birthday, Sonny,, and many more.

btw, I was lucky enough last week to play Chief #8, owned now by Tim Vickers of Calgary. What a great sounding and easy-to-play banjo!

bevans - Posted - 10/28/2017:  22:24:17

Happy Birthday Chief! Thank you for your friendship and mentorship for all these many years and I hope you have a wonderful day today.

And thanks to all of you who have reached out to me and my family this week upon the passing of my wife Kathy. Your words have meant a lot to me - more than you know. I'm glad and fortunate to be a part of this community.

Your friend,

Bill Evans

Lost 54 - Posted - 10/28/2017:  23:12:40

Happy birthday sonny ,and i also feel very honoured and fortunate to own a wonderful chief banjo

Norm2704 - Posted - 10/29/2017:  04:31:14

Happy Birthday Sonny! Hope you have a great day!

deestexas - Posted - 10/29/2017:  08:11:15

Felicitations on the occasion of your natal anniversary.

WesB - Posted - 10/29/2017:  08:26:59

Happy Birthday Sonny! And, while your Chiefs might be better known, a big thank you for also making the Osborne Scout happen. Great little banjo!

From Greylock to Bean Blossom - Posted - 10/29/2017:  09:32:16

Happy birthday Sonny, Hope you had a big country breakfast and have a great day planned.

ken

Steve Bruce - Posted - 10/29/2017:  10:53:34

Have a blessed birthday, Sonny! God bless!

gibson49classic - Posted - 10/29/2017:  11:05:32

Happy Birthday Sonny! Hope you're having a great day!

 

rbfour5 - Posted - 10/29/2017:  12:31:23

Happy Birthday Sonny from Suzanne and I both.

chief3 - Posted - 10/29/2017:  12:53:47

Happy Birthday Sonny!

Ebanjo - Posted - 10/29/2017:  14:00:35

Happy Birthday Sonny.

RatLer - Posted - 10/30/2017:  07:25:46

Happy Birthday Sonny...!!!

Pam W - Posted - 10/30/2017:  09:07:52

Happy Birthday Sonny! 

Don't post much but saw this photo on a Facebook page the other day, the youngest one I've seen of you.  I'm guessing this was back in the Monroe days?

 

bcampbe5 - Posted - 10/30/2017:  09:20:54

Happy Birthday Sonny!

Looks like that picture Pam posted was when you were playing on WJR in Detroit.

TheChief - Posted - 10/30/2017:  09:24:52

That photo was taken in Detroit, 12101 Mack Ave....Sept- Dec. 1955. I was 17. Playing a 1929 RB 3...Gibson.

s

Edited by - TheChief on 10/30/2017 09:27:25

chuckv97 - Posted - 10/30/2017:  12:51:01

‘cross the Ambassador Bridge from CKLW Windsor. btw, they’re finally building a new bridge - gonna be called the Gordie Howe Bridge, after the Red Wing great from Saskatoon. ( never miss a chance to plug 🇨🇦 or hockey....😉)

TheChief - Posted - 10/31/2017:  10:36:59

CKLW in Windsor...did a Friday night show on that TV station for about a year..sponsored by a Chevrolet dealer.

1954-5

s

rbfour5 - Posted - 10/31/2017:  11:02:52

Hey Sonny- had the finger board already been replaced when you acquired the ‘29 RB-3? It’s the first bow tie finger board on a fiddle cut peg head banjo I have seen. But since that’s the way Gibson handled fret replacement it makes sense.

TheChief - Posted - 10/31/2017:  14:19:04

Dean...

I bought that banjo from Shorty Fincher  who was from Pennsylvania, in 1953, and get this...it was an all original five string, 1929 RB3 arch top. It cost me (my Dad) the whopping sum of $125 and he paid shipping. How bout them apples? 

I sent it to Gibson to have it refinished and when I received it back it was refinished alright but they had also replaced the fingerboard and the original inlay had been replaced with the block (bow tie) pattern which I didn't necessarily like, (nor appreciate). But I had to live with it. I don't remember the year but Earl and I were talking and he related the identical story about his Granada. They changed it without being asked. Odd!

s

Brett - Posted - 10/31/2017:  14:58:37

Your memory skills are nothing short of astounding. I can’t wait for your book, I know it’s going to be super! And, Happy Birthday!

rbfour5 - Posted - 10/31/2017:  15:02:24

Well, I like them apples, so I’ll take a dozen for that price! Hard to believe that Gibson would just make that decision for you. That almost warrants a short drive to 225 Parsons Street in Kalamazoo to shake the hand of the decision maker... 😡

So is that the banjo that Bobby played on a recording that you made with twin banjos? Do you still have that arch top? Thanks for the details!

cdm

TheChief - Posted - 11/01/2017:  15:24:46

Bobby did in fact play that banjo on Ruby, HO Honey Ho, and Della May. I played it on Down In The Willow Garden and all the early 1952 53 records..and the RCA records of The Osborne Brothers and Jimmy Martin.                                                             

Down In The Willow Garden because it had D tuners and the RB3 did not. Good banjo (for a raised head).                            Byron Robbins of Knoxville, TN. has that banjo now. 

s

TheChief - Posted - 11/16/2017:  13:27:11

LARRY STEPHENSON BAND, WITH THE BANJO MAN, KENNY INGRAM PLAYING THE OLD ROLL MUDDY RIVER BANJO, WILL BE ON THE GRAND OLE OPRY FRIDAY AT 7:30 AND 9:30...WSM AM RADIO..650 ON THE AM DIAL, OR WSM.COM WORLD WIDE.

 GOOD PICKING.

S