RayD - Posted - 03/27/2018:  10:58:00

Sonny, what banjo is he playing in that picture? Curious minds want to know!

gibson49classic - Posted - 03/27/2018:  12:14:47

I believe the banjo Raymond is playing in the photo above is one of them style sixes that you like so much Chief?!

TheChief - Posted - 03/27/2018:  14:26:06

That's for sure Sunset park sometime between 1983 and 1993. That's the front of our Eagle with T shirts hanging on the windshield wipers. Raymond E Huffmaster messing up someone's banjo. I don't remember who it belonged to. I don't think it's a junk 6...looks like a Fender, or some brand such as that. Not a Gibson, odd shaped peg head for Gibson. He's bearing down on it though, huh? 

s

TheChief - Posted - 03/27/2018:  14:37:30

See that trunk there on his left?

He took that to a festival in Japan literally crammed full of albums. Attendance was 18000. He sold that thing out in 40 minutes. He came and told me he had sold everything and they were still lined up to buy more. He always wore bib overalls because...I don't know...and he had every pocket crammed full. Funny, he looked 40 pounds heavier with his pockets bulging. 

s

TheChief - Posted - 03/27/2018:  14:40:59

Lincoln..Did I take the picture you have as your avatar? Looks like my sun room...or Florida room...or whatever! I was probably TRYING to teach you how to play, unsuccessfully...I might add! 

s

Edited by - TheChief on 03/27/2018 14:43:01

gibson49classic - Posted - 03/27/2018:  14:47:13

Yessir, that’s the one you took. My favorite picture of myself, because of the man behind the camera of course! Seems like I had just been instructed how to play a certain lick in a Gospel Melody of yours?!

Edited by - gibson49classic on 03/27/2018 14:51:44

El Dobro - Posted - 03/27/2018:  18:11:32

That's my old junk flathead 6, with a repro neck by Randy Wood.

Edited by - El Dobro on 03/27/2018 18:11:54

TheChief - Posted - 03/28/2018:  09:16:54

Don you orta know better. Them old 30's flathead banjos were nothing but junk, wore slap out. I know a guy that took a 1935 Granada and had Gibson put new parts in it. Said the old parts was wore slap dab out. That's probably not a true story, actually it isn't...I just made it up. Sometimes I'm like that.

On a serious note, would someone, Don maybe...explain to me how a verifier works. Why is it necessary?

Ask questions and appear stupid once, remain silent and be stupid forever.                                                     (Quote from Robert Osborne...my Dad)

s

TheChief - Posted - 03/28/2018:  09:24:50

Ray... That banjo is a flathead Gibson style 6. Belongs to Don Sojka. A 45 year friend. You still have that beautiful, excellent Osborne Chief Banjo?

s

TheChief - Posted - 03/28/2018:  09:42:41

202 i do believe

RayD - Posted - 03/28/2018:  14:44:02

Sonny,

Yep, I still have that beautiful Chief banjo. I had you work with Frank and his boys to have abalone purfling strips put on the neck, heel, and resonator. It still looks nice and the abalone truss rod cover really complements it all. That banjo sounds as good now, if not better, as when I pulled it out of the shipping box 10 years ago! I felt like a kid at Christmas. I got home from work and saw the box and just couldn't wait to unpack it. I don't know if you recall, but I was on a deployment when you and MisChief worked with me on getting that banjo made. On behalf of all of us Chief owners, thanks for being so committed to having the best banjos made by one of the premier banjo makers to your exacting standards.

Lost 54 - Posted - 03/28/2018:  14:55:08

I would have to agree that in my opinion the chief banjo can't be beat .i have owned a lot of banjos over the last 15 years ,recently sold the last two and kept my chief .to me no point in keeping any other banjos when my osborne is the best sounding and easiest playing banjo i have ever owned .some of my friends have played it ,and think the same as i do .thank you sonny

El Dobro - Posted - 03/28/2018:  16:57:40

I think that was Sunset Park around 1990. Here's Sonny showing Robbie McCoury how to play the break for "why Don't You Tell Me So".

 

TheChief - Posted - 03/31/2018:  14:33:30

Does anyone know the where abouts of Tim Krell from Lexington, South Carolina.

s

TheChief - Posted - 04/01/2018:  10:21:30

Don you're exactly right. Sunset park, me and Rob discussing the finer points of WHY DON'T YOU TELL ME SO which was one od Earl's brighter moments.

s

My very good friend, Byron Robbins of Knoxville TN passed from this life last Wednesday, March 28,2020. Quite a lot of you would have met him at Banjothon. He did love the banjo.  

TheChief - Posted - 04/01/2018:  10:25:32

TIM KRELL

LEXINGTON, SOUTH CAROLINA

I NEED TO FIND HIM.

S

Mooooo - Posted - 04/01/2018:  11:25:53

Happy Easter Sonny, thanks for all the inspiration.

Mike

Edited by - Mooooo on 04/01/2018 11:26:21

Mark Cox - Posted - 04/01/2018:  12:14:25

Hello Chief! Is Tim Krell a banjo player! If so, a message could probably be posted to all members of the hang out that you are looking for him. That way everyone on the hang out will know that you’re looking for him, not just those of us that follow this thread.

thebanjobert - Posted - 04/01/2018:  12:38:54

quote:

---

Originally posted by TheChief

TIM KRELL

LEXINGTON, SOUTH CAROLINA

I NEED TO FIND HIM.

S

---

He is listed here on the Hangout, Sonny.  You can find him by doing a member search, then send him a private message.

TheChief - Posted - 04/01/2018:  16:31:07

Well, Jeff Markham sent me some information concerning Mr. Krell. I think that's all I need. Thank you Jeff. 

Thank you all for your interest. I do appreciate the efforts. 

S.O

TheChief - Posted - 04/02/2018:  08:20:28

Thank you Jeff...the information you provided concerning Mr. Krell was in fact correct. He passed from this life on or about March 25. He was a banjo player, had purchased my instruction video from some years back, narrated by Bill Evans. Mr. Krell was 57 years old.  

Thanks, all of you.

s

Edited by - TheChief on 04/02/2018 08:24:54

El Dobro - Posted - 04/08/2018:  09:12:05

Ran across this pic, Cousin Jake at Sunset Park. This was after the break-up when it was still The Lester Flatt Show.

 

TheChief - Posted - 04/09/2018:  11:07:47

Nice Picture. Thanks. 

s

TheChief - Posted - 04/13/2018:  08:05:29

Jake, or Junior Tullock, I knew him before he went to work with F&S. One of the really nicest people you would ever want to know. Absolute class act.

Ain't many left like him.

s

El Dobro - Posted - 04/13/2018:  20:12:30

I remember listening to the Opry when they had a contest to name Lester's band.

Texican65 - Posted - 04/16/2018:  21:51:36

Hey Sonny! If you get a chance, check out the Collectors Corner section. I’ve got an old Scruggs Vega that I had restored. I put up some before and after pictures and videos. I’d be proud for you to see and hear it, I’m a big fan of your Vega material.

Dow

El Dobro - Posted - 04/21/2018:  07:02:59

I ran across this one the other day.

 

TheChief - Posted - 04/22/2018:  07:54:59

Eldobro Sir, where and when was this picture taken?

s

TheChief - Posted - 04/22/2018:  07:58:45

Dow

I tried to find the piece you referred to and could not. I guess I would need to know what heading it is under on that page.

s

saulsmanb - Posted - 04/22/2018:  10:05:36

I believe he’s referring to this thread.

All the best.

Brian Saulsman

El Dobro - Posted - 04/22/2018:  20:19:34

quote:

---

Originally posted by TheChief

Eldobro Sir, where and when was this picture taken?

s

---

That was behind the stage at the Delaware Valley Festival in Woodstown NJ. I think it was the early to mid 90s.

TheChief - Posted - 04/26/2018:  10:17:40

Hey, big news.

Our friend Lincoln Hendsley is playing the banjo with my Brother Bobby on the Grand Ole Opry this Saturday night. I'm wondering just how nervous (scared) he is right now. 

I remember my first time there in 1952, I was beyond nervous and scared...petrified would be more like it.

s

Nathan Nisley - Posted - 04/26/2018:  10:40:32

That's really great! Playing the Opry is every bluegrass musician's dream. Congratulations Lincoln! I'll be listening on Saturday.

gibson49classic - Posted - 04/26/2018:  10:44:32

Petrified is a good word to describe this feeling. When Bobby called I asked him what he was planning on playing and he said “Well... Rocky Top... and the rest will be a surprise.” Talk about making an ol’ boy want to practice!! I’m honored to have the opportunity to play that stage with Bobby.

rbfour5 - Posted - 04/26/2018:  10:47:22

That will be a memorable event like no other! Hmmm, I wonder which banjo he will be playing? ??

rbfour5 - Posted - 04/26/2018:  10:51:43

You’re gonna do fine Lincoln; just remember to breathe... lol.

bulldog bob - Posted - 04/26/2018:  11:21:46

Remember Lincoln...he has you there because he KNOWS you can do it.

markbyrum - Posted - 04/26/2018:  13:52:03

quote:

---

Originally posted by TheChief

Hey, big news.

Our friend Lincoln Hendsley is playing the banjo with my Brother Bobby on the Grand Ole Opry this Saturday night. I'm wondering just how nervous (scared) he is right now. 

I remember my first time there in 1952, I was beyond nervous and scared...petrified would be more like it.

s

---

Sonny, if you were ever scared of anything, you certainly knew how to not show it! 

TheChief - Posted - 04/27/2018:  12:44:46

The first tune I played was "Rawhide!" Scared, absolutely. But I was a Bluegrass Boy.

I still believe THE BIG GUY had his hand on my shoulder that night and took care of a scared child who was in trouble and needed help. HE was definitely in control. Lincoln will do just fine. 

s

davidcava - Posted - 04/27/2018:  13:49:11

Hey, this is really something special. Congratulations Lincoln! Someone should post this in the main forums too. How do I listen in? on the internet?

davidcava - Posted - 04/27/2018:  15:22:45

Alright now, I found it, Opry live and the bottom of their website.

TheChief - Posted - 04/27/2018:  16:42:46

Practice Mark, lots of intense practice!

s

TheChief - Posted - 04/27/2018:  16:46:20

Opry Live.com is world wide. Absolute amazing.

s

TheChief - Posted - 04/27/2018:  16:51:44

For those interested, Bobby (with Lincoln playing the banjo) is on Saturday night at 8PM and 10:30 WSM AM radio or OpryLive.com. World wide.

s

davidcava - Posted - 04/29/2018:  06:32:43

I wanted to Thank You Sonny, for bringing up that Opry show information. I really enjoyed that, and felt the energy of that place through my Speakers.

You've been one of my favorite banjo players since I started out when I was a teenager, and I'm greatful to have seen you and Bobby play live a couple times. I remember you put on a great impromptu banjo workshop in a field in Kissimmee Fl., it was great! and seeing, and hearing you both at a festival near Fishkill NY.......Darn I can't remember the name of that festival now.

Do you play any gigs anymore Sonny?

David

TheChief - Posted - 05/01/2018:  16:41:01

DAVID, I APPRECIATE THE KIND WORDS.

Your first appearance on The Grand Ole Opry is an unforgettable experience that is unlike any other and for sure, one that will remain with you for a lifetime. I'm sure Lincoln will agree, and the desire to do it again is just as strong.

I haven't played the banjo, or anything else since shoulder surgery in 2003. Rotator cuff was the culprit.  I miss the sound of the banjo, but there is just as much that I don't miss. My Brother and I had a good run and it was a great experience...for me 39 years as a member of the Opry was special. 

s

gibson49classic - Posted - 05/01/2018:  19:10:25

That experience is something I’ll never forget. I will say, that I’ve never been so nervous in my entire life. I was shaking when Bobby was introducing the song, and it just kept getting worse as the introduction was coming to an end. My legs were sore the next day because I was trying so hard to hold them still and keep them from shaking when I walked out on stage. That being said, when that crowd responds to something you do, there’s not a better feeling in the world. I appreciate the opportunity and like Sonny said, after experiencing it the desire to play the Opry for me just gets stronger and stronger. There is something magical about playing that stage, especially with a legend like Bobby.

Edited by - gibson49classic on 05/01/2018 19:11:35

Jonny5 - Posted - 05/01/2018:  19:41:53

I tuned in and it was a treat for the ears Mr. Hensley. As I said on Instagram, sounds like you belong in that class of performer. Hope you can be a regular guest in the future on the Opry.

Timeless1952 - Posted - 05/02/2018:  16:23:10

Lincoln if it didn't have that effect on you ,, then you have no business being there. I remember playing the Opry my 1st time in 1972. Those shaking leg's are real!! When you stand out there in that circle where all the "Greats" have stood ,It has an effect on you.

Happy for you.   Maybe one day you can go back and play the Opry again but be at the Ryman. Then you'll get a double whamy!

K