chuckv97 - Posted - 07/21/2018:  12:15:24

we're rooting for you, Sonny. God bless.

Mooooo - Posted - 07/21/2018:  15:51:41

You've got my prayers Sonny, I wish I could offer more. Best wishes for as quick a recovery as possible.

Mike

jlsorbit - Posted - 07/21/2018:  17:57:37

Good to hear from you Sonny. Wishing you well and know that you are in our thoughts.

Astrobanjo - Posted - 07/21/2018:  18:00:08

Love ya Sonny...you were the main reason I picked up the banjo

dmiller - Posted - 07/22/2018:  18:02:33

quote:

---

Originally posted by TheChief

To be honest, not too well, but in reality as well as could be expected. I'm hoping to improve though.

Along with the heart surgery and it's rehab rules, which consisted of a lot of sitting which made me victim of a UTI which has it's own set of rules. Hopefully the antibiotics program they have me on will do It's job. Appears to be working well so far.

Thank you all for your thoughts and prayers.

s

---

One of the client's at the group home I work at has the UTI thing going on and you're right- - different set of rules.  Antibiotics are a Godsend to help with "that which ails you".  Here's hoping and praying you get "on top" of this thing soon.   

whywild - Posted - 07/26/2018:  11:17:32

Sonny - it's good to hear you're on the good side of everything that's happened. There aren't many guys who are strong enough to come back from a stroke and you did....and we're all pullin, prayin and knowin you'll get over this one as well. I sue do miss seeing you every fall. None finer than our old group at Banjo Camp! Take it a day at a time and before long you'll be back to 100%, even if that's redefined a bit. Get better! Doug

TheChief - Posted - 07/28/2018:  12:38:13

Doug we did have a pretty good gathering, too bad things had to go sideways. Greed will do it every time.

I still stay in touch with Bill through his tough times. Good to hear from you and hope all is well.

To all of you who have sent thoughts and prayers, I can only say Thank You. It never seems enough but that's all I can do for now. 

s

chief3 - Posted - 07/30/2018:  11:29:18

We're all pulling hard for you Sonny and some can pull really, really hard. Get well soon.

Chief

 

TheChief - Posted - 08/05/2018:  09:44:23

No other way to say thank you all. I appreciate the kind words, prayers, and thoughts.

That's a good looking hoss you got there. (;-)>

s

Spike2 - Posted - 08/15/2018:  23:08:29

Sonny, so glad to see a few recent posts from you. Just keep getting better, ok? Prayers said for you and love and a big hug from me to you.

TheChief - Posted - 08/29/2018:  08:20:53

Yesterday was JD's 81st birthday. We had a great lunch in his honor. 

Gary Scruggs, Larry Stephenson, Ronnie Reno, Boj abd Bobby Osborne, Tim Dilman, JD, Steve Chandler, David Crow, Russ Carson, Eddie Stubbs, Ricky Wasson, and Me. I hope I didn't leave anyone out.and I apologize if I did. 

JD was also in town to promote his new CD which is a tribute to Merle Haggard. JD produced it with Steve Chandler and HAG sang a song on it. JD, Ricky, and Steve appeared on Eddie Stubbs radio show on WSM. 

I remind you, JD is 2 months and 2 days older than I  !!

Those things are such a good time.

From Greylock to Bean Blossom - Posted - 08/29/2018:  08:27:31

Sonny,

Great to hear from you! Glad you are out and about celebrating. Keep it up. If you get into a big night and need bail money, just give me a call. As you know JD will be playing Bean Blossom again next summer and I am looking forward to it. I hope he plays his new banjo. Did he talk about his new banjo?

Keep on gettin better.

ken

TheChief - Posted - 09/02/2018:  20:41:29

Mr Tom Mckinney passed from this life Thursday of last week. A good guy, I bought my Granada from him. He didn't want to sell it but I convinced him how much I wanted and needed it. I send my best to his wife Dale. Rest in peace my friend.

s 

From Greylock to Bean Blossom - Posted - 09/03/2018:  04:12:25

Sonny,
I am sorry for your loss. It hurts ...some of the friends we lose. Sorry.
ken

bbanjoboy - Posted - 09/13/2018:  12:25:53

So sorry for the passing of Tom.. great guy.. super guy.... Keep on keepin on Sonny.. you are da man!... so.. maybe we should get back to reminiscing .... so.. first, I've been playing the album with Rocky Top on it a lot lately.. I honestly had forgotten how good it was.. I transferred it to CD and when I did I failed to write the name, just 'Osborne Bros" on it.. LOL.. but what's cool is that it still sounds like my original vinyl.. so that's fun.. anyhow.. the isntrumentation was amazing.. the steel, the guitar, the drums.. SO tasteful.. just a pleasure to listen to after all these years.. so I do have a question for you.. you've probably answered a dozen times.. but... here goes: The break on "long lanky woman'.. where you took the 2nd half.. who and what was that? It sounds like a harpsichord or something.. I just can't figure it out.. you guys were SO far ahead of your time... ain't nobody has come close to you guys since... one thing of special note.. the kick off on 'miss you mississippi' just perfection.. and "Arkansas".. whew... the harmonies.. love you guys so much.. OK.. one more question... on "Samuel WIlders will".. the question that has driven me half batty since I was a little kid... so.. the dad kills Samuel... and Samuel left everything to the family.. on condition that upon his GRAVE they write "Samuel was a good man after all"... So.. did they get the goods or not? I mean, how could they write it on his grave if nobody knew where his grave was...? And while we're on the subject, why did the guy who killed pretty Polly go to the jailhouse if he he was trying to get away>>>>???

TheChief - Posted - 09/15/2018:  06:26:46

Well, your compliments are so welcome and appreciated, of course. We were just children having a good time and at the same time...on a good ride. It was a fun time.

That murdering family didn't get anything because they couldn't reveal where the grave was, which would have convicted them. Sending them...the son and old man....up the river. (where Franky is..from an old movie 70 years ago)

The odd sound on Lanky Woman is my brother playing his mandolin through an echoplex machine, which repeats every note several times.

Only thing I can figure is, after he killed her, her brother stabbed him for some unknown reason...no wait, that's Hills of Roan County...he had too much of the Little Glass of Wine and, half drunk, just stumbled into the jailhouse whilst trying to get away. Carter probably told Ralph to say that and being Carter was older, Ralph believed him...all the time Carter is off somewhere snickering...!

A whole bunch of the good sounds can be credited to Benny Birchfield, Dale Sledd, Ronnie Reno, Daryl Mosely, Paul Brewster, and especially to Terry Smith and Terry Eldredge.  While giving credit where it's due I need to mention Bobby's son Robby...the electronics genius. He could do most anything...and did.

being a little off center helps...

s

TheChief - Posted - 09/15/2018:  06:36:54

Ken;

JD hasn't had much to say about the banjo...not after I told him that his only reason for getting it was because Earl and I had the other two. He just laughed and said, "yep!" JD,( who is older than I), has 9584-1, mine 9584-2, Earl 9584-3. Great banjos.

I love JD like a brother, and he knows it.

s

bbanjoboy - Posted - 09/15/2018:  07:22:47

Hmm.. ok.. 'echoplex' machine.. that's a new one on me... whatever it was, it sure was kool and funkadelic... I NEVER would have taken that for a mandolin! That's for sure... OK. so The family don't get any of Samuel's goods.. so, now the question is.. WHO did??? And I think you probably nailed the pretty Polly issue.. the stupid guy was hammered! LOL

From Greylock to Bean Blossom - Posted - 09/15/2018:  10:23:06

Sonny, You don't know how good it is for us to see you posting again!

ken

Mark Cox - Posted - 09/15/2018:  18:16:32

I agree with Ken. This tribe has been missing its Chief!

TheChief - Posted - 09/21/2018:  07:20:45

Ken and Mark, and all of you, I appreciate that a lot more than mere words could ever tell you.. Thank you.

An Echoplex (I think that's the right name) is a machine in which Grady Martin would plug his electric guitar into, when he thought a song needed it's unique effect. Bobby heard it and wanted to try it on the mandolin. Long Lanky Woman was the result...I didn't necessarily agree but he too had a set of bus keys.. and he did what he thought would work...I could state an opinion...which I did not...but like the me and the banjo, how he played his mandolin was his decision. 

I never knew if that machine was manufactured or a Nashville....Grady Martin thing. Anyhow, about that "thing", that's all I know. Although, the more I think about it, seems as though Bobby got hold of one and took it on the road with us. 

I'm glad to be here...heck, I'm glad to be anywhere.

s

Edited by - TheChief on 09/21/2018 07:22:17

TheChief - Posted - 09/21/2018:  07:32:36

Kenny, I would imagine, like everything else...I'm sure lawyers and court people found a way to get Sam's vast holdings...funny if we found out, at some later date that Sam was actually broke and in debt up to his eyeballs and his estate came to a grand total of $16.71 cents. Why did I choose "71 cents", you ask. Why, because 1971 was the year we won the CMA Vocal Group of the Year!!! 

I told you, it helps to be a little off center.

s

RayD - Posted - 09/21/2018:  07:46:08

If it helps to be a little off center, then I'm plumb crazy!

TheChief - Posted - 09/21/2018:  07:54:14

I forgot to add...The guy who did Pretty Polly in, and the guy who threw The Knoxville Girl in the river that flowed through Knoxville town...HELLO...it was the same dude. He had this drinking problem and he might have lived over there near Cosby and had access to all the "shine" he wanted...You're right, he was hammered on both occasions. And if the truth be known, his name was Willie Deer...And he probably knew and had something to do with the disappearance of Katie Deer! How bout it?

s

And I wouldn't doubt if he isn't related to Billy Joe Mcallister who jumped off the Tallahatchie bridge shortly after he and his girlfriend were spotted throwing something off the aforementioned bridge...Huh? You reckon?

OFF CENTER...Ray, looks as though we're in the same boat.

S

Edited by - TheChief on 09/21/2018 07:57:31

bbanjoboy - Posted - 09/21/2018:  09:20:52

Dang! I do believe you nailed it sir! Old Sam was indeed in debt up to his eyeballs... and you're correct also about the shine thing.. I lived in Cocke County TN, so I know you are correct.. get this.. my CPA is married to "Digger" on 'moonshiners'.. how crazy is that.. an accountant married to a shiner... LOL..

bbanjoboy - Posted - 09/21/2018:  09:33:13

Regarding the 'echoplex'... you mentioned you took it on the road with you.. so my question is this.. all the times I saw you guys.. which were many... I don't recall anything out of the ordinary except the electric bass... but yet on the recordings you have steel, electric guitar, piano, and that harmonica... which I must say was the finest harmonica I've ever heard.. the kick off and back up licks on tunes like "back to the country roads" and other tunes was the tastiest I've ever heard.. I am still playing that album every day since before I made my original post.. that album is just CLASSIC!.. the tastiest parts I've ever heard I do believe.. EVERY instrument was just perfect.. that ending on 'back to the country roads' where Bobby and the harmonica played in sync was just so classic.. and your laid back banjo on those slow tunes is so difficult to do with precision.. but you are the master of that.. you are the man sir.. Miss the old days.. But.. back to the 'echoplex'.. did you guys ever tour with any 'non-bluegrass' instruments, or just record with them.. I would have loved to see the entire group on this album live.. speaking of which... how much overdubbing did you guys do if any.. or was that all cut on a single take... oh.. and your banjo 'strumming' at the end of Sam Wilder.. when everyone else stops.. just classic. such cool chords.. once again...you are the man.. that is all.. you are the MAN...

Brett - Posted - 09/22/2018:  06:25:08

Mr. Sonny, what was the interaction between Faron Young and Jimmy Martin? Their personalities and behavior seem so similar, I’d imagine a fist fight within seconds, OR, buddies for life. I just can’t imagine how either could be so small and mouthy and no one ever quickly removed some teeth from either of them? But together, I could imagine instant confrontation?
I hope you’re feeling better and thank you again for sharing with us banjo fiends and Osborne fans. I sure can’t wait for your book, you tell it like it is and should be said.

bbanjoboy - Posted - 09/22/2018:  06:57:53

Oh, and Sonny.. regarding the Knoxville girl.. I do recall a show you and Bobby put on one time distinctly... and I recall you informing everyone that 'Knoxville girl' was indeed a Christmas song... "I met a little girl in Knoxville town, a town we all NOEL"....

Gary Griffin - Posted - 09/22/2018:  07:03:02

Glad you're feeling better Chief! We are all continuously praying for you! I saw someone mentioned the book. Is it any closer to getting to us?

TheChief - Posted - 09/24/2018:  08:46:22

I'm thinking the book is jinxed.

Scott Street was kind enough to do a tremendous amount of interviews and leg work, and then you all know, he passed away. Bill Evans was kind enough to offer to complete it and consequently his wife was diagnosed with Leukemia, and two years later she passed from this life. Bill being the sole care giver, just didn't have the time.

Now, Daniel Mullins has agreed to finish the darn thing...he has all the collected material...so, we'll see. Daniel is the son of Joe Mullins...tremendous banjo player, radio station owner in Xenia, Ohio, etc.

I think it will be good if it ever gets completed...so, we'll see.

s

TheChief - Posted - 10/02/2018:  07:40:51

I just got a message from Benjamin Leheu who lives in Norway, that he received his Ugly Tuner this morning and has it on his banjo...and guess what? He loves it! I'm happy.

I shipped it to him on September 14. It took 18 days to get to him. I wonder about the future of the mail system....!

Still happy he has it and likes it. I keep saying, It don't look so hot but it works perfectly every time and stays in tune until you change it....ask any banjo picker who has one! 

s

From Greylock to Bean Blossom - Posted - 10/02/2018:  09:01:13

Dan Mullins is a good guy and a talented guy. He let the Bill Monroe Hall of Fame in Bean Blossom use one of his pictures for Raymond Fairchild's Hall of Fame picture and it is classic. It shows just a squint of tobacco juice of Raymond's lips. It got the essence of Raymond.
ken

DG-banjo - Posted - 10/03/2018:  05:49:49

I have used the Ugly tuners for well over 14 years now (the same set to be exact) and I have had NO problems with them at all- 10 of the 14 years I was playing well over 100 shows a year and they still show no wear or any need of refurbishment. Absolutely the best tuners I have ever used (My Opinion of Course).

stringman711 - Posted - 10/08/2018:  21:53:03

Mine have been on since 2004. Like Daniel said. The best!

TheChief - Posted - 10/25/2018:  08:54:06

Thursday,October 18th 2018I was at the opening of the New Bluegrass Hall of Fame and Museum and was given the honor of inducting Terry Woodward into the Hall of fame. For those of you who are not familiar with the name, Terry is the one who had the idea for the organization now known as IBMA . And get this, the presentation was made in a theater within the complex bearing his name. This is truly a great sight to see what Owensboro, Kentucky, (which is only a few miles from Rosine, birthplace of Bill Monroe) the state of Kentucky, and a few caring people created. ($15 million worth) In 1946 who would have thought this to be possible. To see this kinda makes all the sleepless nights sitting upright in a car, on two lane highways, blowouts and buying used tires, running out of gas, GM cars that would "vapor lock"...whatever that was...playing in a one room school to a crowd of 25 people. And not to overlook the times I called my Dad at 3AM asking him to send money...at times when we would get down...way down....(He never questioned..just how much and where to send it) makes it all worthwhile. And if it should appear conceited to tell you the our record of "Kentucky" became a state song in the 80's..you would be right.  Proud would be the better word but most would call it conceit...OH WELL!

That's all....

s  

rbfour5 - Posted - 10/25/2018:  13:40:40

No conceit in that statement- only pride! Sure wish I could have had an opportunity to sit with both you and Bobby to hear about your life’s travels over a good cup of coffee or a steak! But these posts will do- love the heartfelt comments and stories. Thanks Sonny!

Mooooo - Posted - 10/28/2018:  22:15:19

Happy Birthday Sonny, I hope you have many more happy years to come.

Spike2 - Posted - 10/29/2018:  01:42:21

Happy Birthday, Sonny, and wishing you many more to celebrate.

recokin - Posted - 10/29/2018:  02:54:07

Happy Great Birthday Chief!!!!!

Koji

Steve Bruce - Posted - 10/29/2018:  03:17:53

Have a blessed birthday, Sonny O.!

From Greylock to Bean Blossom - Posted - 10/29/2018:  04:53:13

Happy Birthday Sonny, Hope you have a great day with some good friends.
ken

John J - Posted - 10/29/2018:  04:54:13

Happy Birthday Sonny! Have a good one.

robbieroof - Posted - 10/29/2018:  05:02:07

Happy Birthday from Hendersonville!! I hope you have a fantastic day!! God bless you!!

Robbie Roof

Gary Griffin - Posted - 10/29/2018:  05:35:50

Happy Birthday Chief! Have a good un!!!!!!!

rbfour5 - Posted - 10/29/2018:  06:05:25

Happy Birthday Sonny from Champaign, IL!

jlsorbit - Posted - 10/29/2018:  08:20:51

Happy Birthday Sonny from Lancaster, PA.

Ebanjo - Posted - 10/29/2018:  08:29:49

Happy Birthday Sonny from Wilkesboro, N.C.
Eric Ellis

puddinfangers - Posted - 10/29/2018:  09:05:24

Happy Birthday!

Mike Rowe - Posted - 10/29/2018:  09:17:55

Happy Birthday! From Elkhart, Indiana.