TheChief - Posted - 02/05/2019:  16:18:55

Derek:

Doing it your way, and some others, breaks the continuity of the rhythm....in my opinion the way I told you does not interfere with the vocalist and makes for a smoother background.  10/4

You're a fine player and it was a pleasure meeting, and hearing you with Larry. He has the best band now man for man, and vocals that he's had.

You're all good.

s 

jrimes - Posted - 02/06/2019:  06:16:28

Dr. Osborne,
First of all, congratulations on the doctorate, a more deserving specimen would be hard to find.
Second, I've got one of those deep questions for you again...
I just read Tom Piazza's book "True Adventures With the King of Bluegrass" and I must say it was hard to put down, but ultimately paints Jimmy Martin as a pretty difficult man and his own worst enemy. Was he really a hard-nosed, self-centered booze hound...or ... was he really a great guitar player and singer that was jaded and disgruntled for never being invited to become a member of the Grand Ole Opry? I had a million questions when I got done with the book. What are your thoughts?
Much appreciated, as always!
Josh

derekanjo - Posted - 02/06/2019:  09:12:59

quote:

---

Originally posted by TheChief

Derek:

Doing it your way, and some others, breaks the continuity of the rhythm....in my opinion the way I told you does not interfere with the vocalist and makes for a smoother background.  10/4

You're a fine player and it was a pleasure meeting, and hearing you with Larry. He has the best band now man for man, and vocals that he's had.

You're all good.

s 

---

Your opinion is right. :) It's one of those little things that slipped in without me even realizing it. But now that it's been brought to my attention it's completely obvious. Now I just have to work on breaking the habit.

Thank you for the kind words, Sonny. Hope to see you again soon. 

From Greylock to Bean Blossom - Posted - 02/06/2019:  18:16:11

Sonny,

When the Osborne Brothers were going full speed and you had great album after great album, how much of a job was it to find good songs for them? Did you have a formula for looking for them? Did you feel pressure having to come up with them? I would think that would be a tough part of the job. Could you ever turn your mind off from it?  And after you got the songs and before you recorded them, how much time did it take you you to get the breaks and backup you wanted to do on it?

thanks,

Ken

Edited by - From Greylock to Bean Blossom on 02/06/2019 18:19:12

TheChief - Posted - 02/07/2019:  13:53:34

Well, to begin with, I read the book..or I guess I should say, I read part of it. Jimmy was a fine rhythm Guitar player...up until he recorded Uncle Penn with Bill Monroe. The song has a break in the Chorus and the Guitar does the famous G run. After that, he considered the Lester Flatt, Charlie Monroe "G run" his own creation, and it really had an affect on him as a person, and Guitar player. However, he read his press clippings (and believed them) It took until approximately 1955 for it to do it's damage. Jimmy had charisma and that in itself will go a long way, but in time your actions on and oof stage can wear that down and will take it's toll. Jimmy drank far too much alcohol and when he did the chip on his shoulder became a log. It had a terrible effect on his personality.

Jimmy, Bobby and I stopped working together in August of 55. I've written far too much on this subject. The book you read is pretty much spot on correct.

One other observation, in closing...whew!

Jimmy had an obsession with The Grand Ole Opry and blamed everyone, Bill, Lester and Earl, Osborne and McReynolds brothers for keeping him off...in reality no one was able to do that. He did it all by himself!

If The Opry wanted you, they got you.

I could go on, but it would take another book to tell all. It's a shame too because...IN MY OPINION Jimmy was so talented, vocally as well as the Guitar. He did well in his career, but he could have tripled what he did. And, you're right, He was his own worst enemy.

Apologize for taking up so much space.

s

TheChief - Posted - 02/07/2019:  14:01:50

Dereck, remember one thing. When you play backup you should have one thing on your mind and one thing only. Always try to enhance and support the guy at the Mic doing the vocal, or taking a break. Never get in the way or take away from what he/she is doing.

Your time to shine comes when it's your turn in front.

s

TheChief - Posted - 02/07/2019:  14:38:51

Ken:

From 1963 until 68 Teddy Wilburn chose most of our material. He was a genius at doing that too. Bobby and Pete Goble wrote many of our songs, Daryl Statler, Betty Sue Perry and Jake Landers wrote several songs during that time period. After 1968 Boudleaux and Felice Bryant and Paul Craft supplied us with some great songs. We had an excellent Record Company (Decca-MCA) who was sold on us, and therefore promoted us beyond belief.  All this plus the greatest producer of all time, Owen Bradley who allowed us to learn from him and do experimental things that no other Company would do. It worked for us..Thank you Lord!

The pressure was always there to continue with the quality of material and always try and do one thing better in the next release.

Most of the things I did on the Banjo were created in the studio...BRADLEY'S BARN. I can't tell you how Bobby did his thing on the Mandolin. If he asked me I would give him my opinion but the his vocal and Mandolin was his responsibility. He had as much confidence in my ability, as I did with him. I wasn't a Mandolin player, nor was I the great singer and he didn't play much Banjo. 

I hope this answers your questions. I'm always happy to give it me best shot. Sometimes get a little mouthy! Is that a word?

s

TheChief - Posted - 02/07/2019:  14:42:14

Sorry Josh...the Jimmy Martin response was for you.

s

bluegrassboy - Posted - 02/07/2019:  15:08:55

hi sonny, my 1st time on this thread. i would like to thank you and bobby for what you have done for the music. you have raised the bar and made many of us work our tails off just to get as close to the 'osborn' sound as we could. also, my being a banjo player, you, jd, and earl have brought me much happiness, and much hair pulling and anxiety. (how in the hell did they do that?!?!?!) anyway, as you touched on jimmy earlier, have you had a chance to read barbera's book? i skimmed thru it to get some highlights, then read it cover to cover, its on my bookshelf collecting dust, where it will stay, much more info about stuff i could care less about!
miss you and bobby together, and your banjo playing, but, i have many of your records, didnt mean to write a novel, but this was a long time coming, thanks for the music!!
larry

TheChief - Posted - 02/07/2019:  15:10:50

A thought about Jimmy Martin's Guitar playing.

If you want to hear how good he was, go listen to Dana Cupp play rhythm. Or if you play the Banjo, have him play it with you. He worked with Jim and he learned to play rhythm from Jimmy. Pretty darn close to what Jimmy was and could have been..."CAN I SAY THIS"...Frog Martin was good, Dana is good....real good!

s

Edited by - TheChief on 02/07/2019 15:14:29

TheChief - Posted - 02/07/2019:  15:21:27

Miss Barbara Martin is another story!!!

I didn't read her book, nor will I...I know all I need to know about the kind of person James Herman Martin was.

Good to hear from you Larry. Don't stay away so long!!!!

s

chuckv97 - Posted - 02/07/2019:  15:32:10

I unfortunately bought Miss Barbara’s book,, wish I hadn’t. There’s stuff that shouldn’t be aired out for everyone to see or hear. (But at least she didn’t say anything bad about Windsor and CKLW.....! ). ;-/

From Greylock to Bean Blossom - Posted - 02/07/2019:  15:45:14

I read Barbara Martin's book and she came across as a self aggrandizing gold digger who was not creditable.
Ken

From Greylock to Bean Blossom - Posted - 02/07/2019:  16:07:58

Sonny,

Thanks for your reply to my question. It is great to get insight into a very unusual industry.

ken

Edited by - From Greylock to Bean Blossom on 02/07/2019 16:09:43

Joe Spann - Posted - 02/08/2019:  05:31:06

Hey Sonny,

Do you remember a performer named Chuck Henderson “The Carolina Indian” from the Knoxville, Tennessee area? He was playing banjo with Jack Shelton and the Green County Boys at WROL in 1952 and then went with Wilma Lee and Stoney Cooper to Wheeling, West Virginia in 1953. In the mid-50’s he was back in east Tennessee, working with Bonnie Lou & Buster in Bristol, and then Johnson City. By 1958 he was playing banjo for Carl Story up in Monticello, Kentucky. He seems to drop off the map after that, and I wonder what happened to him. Thanks for any memories you might share!

Joe Spann

jrimes - Posted - 02/08/2019:  06:04:25

Dr. Chief,
My sincerest thanks, as always, for answering my questions. As I said before, you are our direct link to history and I always appreciate your honesty!
As a side note, a few years ago, I wrote an article for Bluegrass Unlimited about Chris Warner. Being a jack-of-all-trades, Chris was in charge (at times) of keeping Jimmy's guitar in working order. I never knew it, but what I thought was his D-45 was actually a D-28 conversion, however Chris always said that Jimmy was a master with it when he wanted to be.
Thanks again,
Josh

TheChief - Posted - 02/08/2019:  07:56:39

Speaking of books and authors. There are those who write books for the love of the subject on which they are writing, and those who couldn't care less...caring only for the greenback dollar.  Doing it right of course, takes quite a lot of hard work such as doing countless interviews, costly trips to and from, countless hours of research...all this to get it right. Sometimes a hard thing to do.

My opinion is, if you're going to write a book then by all means tell the whole story truthfully and if it makes you, the author appear as one of the bad guys, then if you can't or don't want to take the heat, stay out of the kitchen.

s

TheChief - Posted - 02/08/2019:  08:07:48

I've been doing this Hangout thing for quite a long time. I enjoy doing it. I enjoy talking with all of you. Being as honest to the best of my ability and knowledge is a big thing for me. My Dad taught me that if you tell the truth it won't ever change. 

It is what it is.

s

rbfour5 - Posted - 02/08/2019:  08:24:24

Amen on the honesty!

TheChief - Posted - 02/08/2019:  20:38:14

Amen

TheChief - Posted - 02/09/2019:  16:57:22

Me and Derek Vaden. Larry Stephenson Band

Right....Osborne Brothers 1969..Me, Bobby, Robby, Ronnie Reno, Dale Sledd

Bottom....Osborne Brothers 2003-05...Tim Graves, Daryl Mosely, Bobby, Dana Cupp, Me 

Edited by - TheChief on 02/09/2019 17:05:27

 

jrimes - Posted - 02/10/2019:  19:32:46

Sonny, where did Bobby acquire that old Gibson Fern mandolin? Many times it sounds better than most Loars comparatively. And I can always tell when it's Bobby playing on the radio.
Josh

TheChief - Posted - 02/11/2019:  14:28:35

Bobby bought that mandolin in 1953, while we were in Detroit, from Charlie Bailey  who bought it from a bought it from a music store in kNOXVILLE. Charlie was one of the Bailey Brothers, who along with his brother Dan were quite popular in the 40's and I believe for a short time were members of The Grand Ole Opry. 

That Mandolin is truly one of, if not he best tone F5 Mandolins I was ever privileged to hear. Bobby was such a great vocalist that his Mandolin playing was often overlooked. If it is ever a question in your mind, he has an album titled "Bobby and his Mandolin." It's awfully good.

s  

TheChief - Posted - 02/15/2019:  08:35:43

ATTENTION! ATTENTION!

STOLEN!

 Walnut Chief Banjo number 59, serial number...8-10-59W

                                     8-10-59W Walnut Osborne Chief.

PLEASE KEEP THIS IN MIND.   JIMMY SUE WANTS HER BANJO BACK!

I wonder about the mentality of someone who would steal something as personal as a banjo.

S

Edited by - TheChief on 02/15/2019 08:38:52

1935tb-11 - Posted - 02/15/2019:  23:05:02

quote:

---

Originally posted by TheChief

ATTENTION! ATTENTION!

STOLEN!

 Walnut Chief Banjo number 59, serial number...8-10-59W

                                     8-10-59W Walnut Osborne Chief.

PLEASE KEEP THIS IN MIND.   JIMMY SUE WANTS HER BANJO BACK!

I wonder about the mentality of someone who would steal something as personal as a banjo.

S

---

you made them too purty too resist ,,,,, still takes a low life to do such a thing

pick1936 - Posted - 02/16/2019:  00:30:57

Hi Sonny, I saw in Your posts mentioning Red Spurlock, I saw Him on TV 5 years back playing a custom 5 special one of a kind Gibson. Said He'd been offered 60.ooo for it. I have a record of Him pickin Beaumont Rag, best break I ever heard on that tune. There used to be a picker Jim Spurlock from Kentucky I think? Thought You might know? THANKS. I'll be 83 next month, and you, and Dale Sledd have inspired Me. THANKS MUCH Son.
Lee Kelso

TheChief - Posted - 02/16/2019:  07:48:49

Hey Lee, I don't think that would be the same Red that I knew.

I'm always glad to hear that we were an inspiration, or influence on anyone. We were a bunch of guys doing what we were put here to do, and doing it as best we could. 

Thank you,

s

KD Banjer - Posted - 02/16/2019:  11:24:49

Hey TheChief,

I just found a tour booklet from one of your 1960s Osborne Brothers' tours. (I'm posting 3 of the photos in the booklet).

From the behind-the-scenes photos, it looks like you guys had a lot of fun on your tours, and played some large venues.

Do you know what year this tour was?

How did Ronnie Reno start working with you and Bobby?

Osborne-Brothers-1960s-Tour-Book-p1

Osborne-Brothers-1960s-Tour-Book-p3

Osborne-Brothers-1960s-Tour-Book-p4

 

TheChief - Posted - 02/23/2019:  21:55:48

The year for that booklet was about 1970. Ronnie played bass until Dale Sledd took a leave of absence at which time Ronnie played the Guitar and sang with Bobby and I. Excellent singer, quick to get parts and knew how to change parts. Ronnie was very good. One of the best we had to sing with. 

I'm not sure why Ronnie wanted to work with us although I would guess he wanted to be with younger, different type players, and he wanted to be in Nashville, and have the experience of the Grand Ole Opry. This is my opinion.

His career moved along well after the move, culminating with the harmony vocal job with Merle Haggard, which lasted for a number of years. Ronnie is a good friend to this day and is one of our lunch gang.

s 

Edited by - TheChief on 02/23/2019 21:59:41

From Greylock to Bean Blossom - Posted - 02/24/2019:  12:37:47

Sonny, I guess you know that Mac Wiseman passed away this morning.
ken

monstertone - Posted - 02/24/2019:  17:24:17

"One of our lunch gang" That alone would keep a new thread going for quite a while. I imagine the lunch gang could tell a lot of stories about life as a Bluegrass musician. 

Btw, if I haven't mentioned it yet, thanks for all the years of some of the best bluegrass music ever. 

TheChief - Posted - 02/26/2019:  13:32:39

Mac (Malcom) was a very close friend for more years than I care to admit. One of our very best recordings was with Mac Wiseman. "Essential Bluegrass" on CMH record label.  Mac was 93. 

s

TheChief - Posted - 02/26/2019:  13:44:04

Man, that lunch gang started about 11 years ago with Larry Stephenson, Ronnie Reno and I....Now Steve Chandler, JD, Del and his sons..Robin and Ronnie, Lincoln, Russell Carson, Skaggs, Kenny Ingram, Steve Martin, Eddard Stubbs, Shay Smith, Connie Smith, Rhonda Vincent..and Bill Anderson (one of the greatest song writers EVER and a pretty good country singer).

We have a good time, and yes there are great stories told and three or four hours of the best time one could imagine. I probable left out a few but I am 81 you know!!!!

DR.O

chuckv97 - Posted - 02/26/2019:  13:45:56

Loved Mac’s singing. Saw him up at Bluegrass Canada fstvl in the mid ‘70’s. He also did an album of Gordon Lightfoot songs that I admired. Sorry for the loss of your friend, Sonny.  RIP Mac.

Edited by - chuckv97 on 02/26/2019 13:49:06

Ceres Banjo Works - Posted - 02/26/2019:  13:53:09

Mac was an American treasure to say the least. "The Voice with a Heart" was one of a kind.

I have the "Essential Bluegrass" LP... Sonny your break on "Four Walls Around Me" is classic. I love the big reverb sound on that record.

gibson49classic - Posted - 02/26/2019:  15:13:04

Let us not forget this great album of Mac with the Brothers. One of my favorite bluegrass albums ever. The people that sang and played on this album will never be equaled. 

RIP Mac 

youtu.be/-Xj7CkF4Rls

TheChief - Posted - 02/26/2019:  22:17:47

I left out David Crow, Gary Scruggs, Charlie Cushman, Bobby and his son BOJ, Kurt Chapman, Ricky Wasson, ...sorry. I'm sure I left out more. 

s

Edited by - TheChief on 02/26/2019 22:22:11

phb - Posted - 02/27/2019:  04:46:50

You mean all these people gather for lunch in a public place and it's not in the news? :)

That would be quite a funny hidden camera trick to play on innocent aspiring bluegrass players to let them run into this "lunch gang"...

TheChief - Posted - 02/27/2019:  07:40:49

These people are not all present at the same time, all the time. Usually about 10-15 show up. I reckon I should post a photo of a typical gathering. 

If a news person made an appearance I think most of us would ask  them to either agree to and respect our privacy or be so kind as to leave. 

Raymond Huffmaster made it to one.

We have a good time.

s

Edited by - TheChief on 02/27/2019 07:44:18

Jim1 - Posted - 02/27/2019:  08:35:55

That sounds like a hot rod version of the opry reunion shows. I’d pay money just to sit where I could hear the stories. I bet there’s some doozies ??.

TheChief - Posted - 02/28/2019:  07:43:14

Inadvertently, but rather predictably, I left at least one more guy out...JIM HURST. Without doubt there are more.

s

davidcava - Posted - 03/01/2019:  14:06:45

Do you and Bobby still play for fun when you both get together Sonny?

OldNavyGuy - Posted - 03/01/2019:  15:56:01

quote:

---

Originally posted by TheChief

We have a good time, and yes there are great stories told and three or four hours of the best time one could imagine. I probable left out a few but I am 81 you know!!!!

DR.O

---

Lot of good stories you've posted, Sonny.

You ought to write a book.

That's something that could be read and enjoyed for generations.

Pam W - Posted - 03/03/2019:  18:12:33

Hi Sonny,

I see Geoff Hohwald has one of the rare Stelling Sonflower's, #17 of 23. I thought there were more of those made. I seem to remember you saying it was a good banjo but just didn't work out for you. I have a Stelling Master Flower and I love it, even though Mickey Flatt's Mahogany Chief #1 almost won me over. :)

scontent.fphx1-1.fna.fbcdn.net...=5D166839

TheChief - Posted - 03/05/2019:  08:59:13

Pamela from Queen Creek.

The Stelling I had was an excellent banjo and some of he best playing I did was the medley from Stockholm, Sweden. The problem I had was, I couldn't keep it in tune. Never figured out what the problem was except I was told the finger board was made of a material that contained plastic. As I recall it was called Ebonite? True? Not true? That might be wrong. Geoff tried everything known to man to fix it but finally he just said I had played the Granada too longand paid me for my endorsement.

Wayne Rice of KSON radio in San Diego, California has the banjo now and he has not had any problem with it...Beautiful workmanship, finish, tone, volume, and all.

And the fact that Geoff Stelling is one of a small group of people I have dealt with who is Honest. Up right and honest. The proof of that statement is the number of years he's been building high quality banjos. Maybe 40 years? Longer? So I tend to believe my problem was just that...ME. But that Son Flower was a top of the line professional banjo...Closest thing to it would be the Osborne Chief...I didn't say better than...I said close. 

THEM THERE OSBORNE HOFFMEYER FINGER PICKS HAINT BAD EITHER. AS GOOD OR PERHAPS BETTER THAN THE OLD NATIONAL!

You gotta have good equipment!

Easier to pick with good equipment!

S

TheChief - Posted - 03/05/2019:  09:20:26

Davidcava....Bobby and I don't see one another very often...he's still working and teaching. And add to that the fact that I don't play at all. Rotator surgery in 2003 took care of that. So, in answer to your question it would be No. He and BOJ come to lunch and I enjoy their company a great deal. We saw more of one another for over 50 years than we did with our families, so neither one of us knows anything that the other doesn't. Still best friends. 

Unlike most brother, or family acts...Bobby and I never argued or fought...sure we would disagree but it was always settled peacefully. Thank you Lord.

I consider myself one of the most fortunate people...For 99% of that 50+ years I was privileged to stand beside and listen to him bring it every night. Amazing voice. I consider him to be the best. The REAL DEAL.

For those who don't know...BOJ (Bobby Osborne Junior) is Bobby's youngest son. Nice Man. Good acoustic Bass player.  Hello! I gave him that name..BOJ...and it stuck.

s

Edited by - TheChief on 03/05/2019 09:29:31

bulldog bob - Posted - 03/05/2019:  09:34:32

Sonny, Id put my Chiefs up against anything.....and be pretty sure they'd be "better than"!

monstertone - Posted - 03/05/2019:  09:41:56

Good morning Sonny,

Fwiw: I've heard it said that Stelling banjo's have a sound all their own, and they can never be made to sound like a Mastertone, much less a pre war Mastertone. Who am I to say? Not having a reference by which to judge, I have to take their word for it. You may be the proof of that. You have played a lot of Mastertone's and that Gradana has spoiled you.  The tone you are able to pull out of that banjo, especially on that recording of America the Beautiful, is nothing short of phenomenal!    

Have a great day

Edited by - monstertone on 03/05/2019 09:50:57

TheChief - Posted - 03/05/2019:  16:08:00

Mr. Jones...In my opinion.

The Stelling sounds good when you get it and will continue to sound basically the  same. 

No, I don't believe it will ever sound like an old Mastertone. Although I have heard some old Mastertones that didn't sound very good...To me. But Geoff's banjos are much better than most I have heard that were made after 1970, I guess. If you question me on this, go to Utube and dial up The Osborne Brothers Sweden medley, I doubt you'll find many that will sound better.

My Granada is in a category of one, alone, by itself.  

I should clarify I guess. If you work hard enough you can make a Recording King Scout (which was made for the advanced beginner)... sound good by changing a lot of parts. Jens Kruger has one of the best sounding banjos around. I don't know for sure but I would venture to say it has been altered. (I have no idea what brand of banjo he has)

My Chief banjo should improve with age. I have number 00 which was the first one made. June of 1998. Simple math says it's 21 years old this June and has been played a lot...And I emphasize LOT. It sounds awfully good. I've recorded with it and it "has it!" I'm hoping the rest of them will do well with age. 

My advise is this; Play it a bunch, set it up or have someone with banjo knowledge do it for you. 5/8 bridge, Remo plastic head tightened to about 89-91 on a drum dial. A lot after that is just preference. Meaning, what your ear tells you that you want to hear. 

Don Reno told me once that Earl was the absolute best at setting a banjo up he had ever seen. I think Frank Neat knows what it takes to accomplish that. Unfortunately I was never in that group of people and it took me forever and about a million hours, but once I had it sounding the way I wanted it to sound, I didn't want anyone to so much as breath on it. Look all you want but do not touch!

s

Edited by - TheChief on 03/05/2019 16:10:34