ManjoMan - Posted - 06/24/2019:  14:45:04

I sold #33 to Rod Carter around 2007 or 2008. I'm not sure that he has it any longer. I like my Rocky Top model, but if the circumstances were right, I'd like to have #33 back. A great banjo...

chuckv97 - Posted - 06/24/2019:  16:47:28

I posted this here a while back. Very nice banjo... I’ve got to get over to Tim’s again soon to play it.  If memory serves me right ,he bought it from BHO member Michael Corcoran in Saskatoon.

“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!”

Edited by - chuckv97 on 06/24/2019 16:50:23

TheChief - Posted - 06/26/2019:  20:51:05

They're good and aging well.

s

caloscalzo - Posted - 06/27/2019:  13:14:06

I have #77. Walnut Chief "born' 9/2015. Sounds great. Looks great. Wouldn't trade it for about nothing.

Craig

laceyth9 - Posted - 06/30/2019:  18:39:10

Chief,

This is a little off-topic, but I'm reading a book by the name of "Trapped! The Story of Floyd Collins". Floyd was trapped in a cave near Mammoth Cave in 1925. He died there. It's a heartbreaking story. Since this is near your "neck of the woods", I was curious if you had any caving stories to tell?

Tim L.
Chief #5

bulldog bob - Posted - 07/01/2019:  05:54:53

I have a 2006 walnut engraved chief and a 2005 maple chief that are amazing banjos. Unfortunately, due to the weights and a bad back I'm now playing hoop banjos more than anything. Any interest if I offer them up?

bulldog bob - Posted - 07/01/2019:  08:19:45

Just listed my Walnut Chief in the classifieds

From Greylock to Bean Blossom - Posted - 07/01/2019:  09:47:29

quote:

---

Originally posted by bulldog bob

Just listed my Walnut Chief in the classifieds

---

It is a beauty and from wood from Bean Blossom! And a good price too. That will gone soon. Sorry for your back problems. It has to hurt to let that one go.

ken

bulldog bob - Posted - 07/01/2019:  09:56:54

Thanks. I have a 2005 maple one too.

TheChief - Posted - 07/01/2019:  13:23:47

Nope, I don't do caves. Too confining. Not a phobia, I just don't like the idea of being back under something that COULD fall.                        There was another happening too. Jimmy Osborne had a song about it...Little Kathy Fiscus. I shiver at the thought.

NOPE, not for me.

s

WesB - Posted - 07/01/2019:  16:57:46

Boy, "Kathy Fiscus" brings up really old memories. Wasn't she the tyke that fell into the well in SoCal many years ago?

Edited by - WesB on 07/01/2019 16:58:31

leeave96 - Posted - 07/01/2019:  18:31:20

Sonny,

You and Bobby recorded a CD “Some Things I Want To Song About”. One of the songs I especially liked was Rosie Bokay, but there is one entitled “So Doggone Lonesome”. On it it sounds like you’re playing a 6 string banjo.

Can you tell us about the 6 string banjo, how it’s tuned, etc. How hard was the addition of a 6th string to incorporate into your roll. I don’t know that I ever saw you play a 6 string. Did/do you offer 6 string in a Chief banjo?

Take care and many thanks!

deestexas - Posted - 07/06/2019:  10:11:01

"And our next number is called Rawhide!"

 

From Greylock to Bean Blossom - Posted - 07/09/2019:  05:23:10

Sonny,

Recently I have been looking at a book entitled "Peak" by Anders Ericsson and Robert Pool. It talks about the practice required for peak performances and has studied athletes, musicians and memory champions at the highest level. They say that "deliberate practice" is essential for this level of success . In defining this type of practice they say ( among other things) that: 1. you must have feedback and understand your weaknesses, 2. That you have to constantly challenge yourself.

As I understand your story, when a youth, you practiced all you could from sun up to sun down and from what I have seen, no one has become a better player than you. Sooo my questions to you are: 1. Did you get feedback, were you able to focus on weaknesses. 2 Were you able to/ how did you, constantly challenge yourself? 3. What do you think of their ideas? 4. Most importantly:  What do you think are the keys to the most productive practice?

If this is not of interest to you, please pass it by. Thanks for your time in reading this and for your accessibility to us.

Ken

leeave96 - Posted - 07/09/2019:  05:33:48

quote:

---

Originally posted by From Greylock to Bean Blossom

Sonny,

Recently I have been looking at a book entitled "Peak" by Anders Ericsson and Robert Pool. It talks about the practice required for peak performances and has studied athletes, musicians and memory champions at the highest level. They say that "deliberate practice" is essential for this level of success . In defining this type of practice they say ( among other things) that: 1. you must have feedback and understand your weaknesses, 2. That you have to constantly challenge yourself.

As I understand your story, when a youth, you practiced all you could from sun up to sun down and from what I have seen, no one has become a better player than you. Sooo my questions to you are: 1. Did you get feedback, were you able to focus on weaknesses. 2 Were you able to/ how did you, constantly challenge yourself? 3. What do you think of their ideas? 4. Most importantly:  What do you think are the keys to the most productive practice?

If this is not of interest to you, please pass it by. Thanks for your time in reading this and for your accessibility to us.

Ken

---

Good question - I would add, and perhaps Sonny can comment, some of the best banjo licks I’ve made were spontaneous and completely unrehearsed.  I think (maybe unique to bluegrass music) the spontaneous licks/energy brought to the stage is great.  I think Sonny was one of the best in this regard.  IMHO - makes for some terrific/entertaining music.

Edited by - leeave96 on 07/09/2019 05:34:41

Greg Earnest - Posted - 07/09/2019:  08:47:42

I've just listed this 2003 maple Chief in the classifieds. . . I took it in as a trade and it's a great banjo (of course). . . it also has some of the prettiest maple I've ever seen in one of these.  I have not had the tone ring out of it, but it should be a Blaylock. . . interestingly, the ring appears to be copper-flashed instead of gold plated. Any insight on this?



banjohangout.org/classified/76217



thanks,



Greg Earnest

Edited by - Greg Earnest on 07/09/2019 08:49:01

dlchrist - Posted - 07/10/2019:  17:10:59

Greetings Chief owners!
I realize this question has probably been answered several times. But I’d appreciate a breakdown of how to interpret the serial numbers on these banjos. Particularly the maple models of the Chief. I remember it used to be on Sonny Osborne’s website but the site doesn’t seem to be operating any longer.

Thanks in advance for the help!
Dale

TheChief - Posted - 07/13/2019:  20:51:29

Dale,

Year, month. and number of that particular banjo.

12-2019-75   it was made in December (12) Two thousand nineteen (2019) it was number seventy five. (75)

And, they were not in any kind of sequence...other than the month and year.

s

TheChief - Posted - 07/13/2019:  20:59:42

Hey Greg,

The tone ring is not gold plated...you are correct. If the number of that banjo is after 66, it's definitely Blaylock.

Good to hear from you Greg. Are you still working with John? Sent an email to him a couple months ago. Figured the address was wrong, or he just didn't want to respond...HA!

s

TheChief - Posted - 07/13/2019:  21:26:40

Ken.

1. Did you get feedback, were you able to focus on weaknesses. 2 Were you able to/ how did you, constantly challenge yourself? 3. What do you think of their ideas? 4. Most importantly:  What do you think are the keys to the most productive practice?

1. I did not get feedback, I knew my weaknesses and struggled mightely to defeat them...eventually I succeeded, for the most part.

2. The challenge was simple. Determination. The need to beat the odds and defeat the master...coming in a distant 2nd, although I told myself I won!!!!!

3. I was all in for Scruggs until Randy Lynn Rag came out and they left a clear mistake on Earl's part. I figured if he went down, I went down because I didn't know anything else. I started listening to every other kind of music played on every conceivable instrument. That opened my mind and from that point their ideas, I should say, No one's ideas meant anything.  I loved my musical ideas and thought process...still do for the most part. 

4. Practice. Learning, I practiced up to 14 hours per day. Determined to play the banjo. The very best way to practice is complete focus, and concentration. No phone, NO distraction, No TV or radio. In a room with the door closed. Learn what your weak points are and do just those until you beat them, then move on to the next one.  

I will add this...by learning Earl's right hand...and I did it, I was able to play anything. If I could hear it, I could play it because of the right hand...and knowing the neck of the banjo. 

Ken, I hope this is clear...a small wonder if it is...

s

TheChief - Posted - 07/13/2019:  21:30:00

Hey Wes and leeave I haven't ignored you. I'll tell you all about the 6 string banjo, next time. Old 82 year old guys get tired real easy.

Hang in there.

s

Edited by - TheChief on 07/13/2019 21:32:26

dlchrist - Posted - 07/15/2019:  14:46:48

Thank you Chief for the explanation on the serial numbers. I assumed that was it but wanted to be sure. I couldn’t remember.
I got Maple #127 from Gruhn’s guitar shop several years ago and absolutely loved it! Micky Flatt introduced me to Chief banjos and always had great things to say about you. Anyway, I had to let it go a couple years back due to a family emergency. Robby Boone bought it from me and seemed glad to have a Chief in his possession.
Thankfully, I was recently able to acquire Maple Chief #115 and am very pleased to have a Chief banjo once again! I am 55 yrs old and consider myself to be a beginner level player. The Chief banjo is much more banjo than I am a player. But it sure makes for pleasurable practice times and it sounds great when playing with my dad and brother in church! Thanks again for the response and God bless you.
Dale

WesB - Posted - 07/17/2019:  13:29:36

Sonny, the name Kathy Fiscus really jumped off the page at me. I remember that I was nine or ten years old when she fell down an abandoned well. It happened about three or four miles from where I lived. They eventually retrieved her by driving a second shaft alongside the abandoned well. By the time they got to her she had passed. It was a heart-wrenching thing to have happen. I don't doubt that a ballad would have been written about it.



Hey, we octogenarians can use all the help (and time) we can get....... Don't know about you, but I'm sticking around to about 100 or so, just to irritate 'em.

Edited by - WesB on 07/17/2019 13:30:45

1ST GEN CUMMINS - Posted - 07/17/2019:  13:47:52

Where can you order a new Chief now. Sonny's website is not working I think.

Gary r voigt - Posted - 07/17/2019:  14:10:06

Order thru this site as I did.... he will answer...

Gary

TheChief - Posted - 07/20/2019:  08:18:48

Clifton,

My web site has been a complete headache since it was started.

You want a Chief, I have two of them right now. A maple and a Mahogany. Call me, at 615-824-0096, or text me at chiefbanjo@comcast.net.

Thanks for your interest.

s

Edited by - TheChief on 07/20/2019 08:20:49

TheChief - Posted - 07/20/2019:  08:32:04

Wes, Kathy was 3, and fell ino the well in April 1949. Happened in California I think. 

On her grave marker is supposedly written..." One little girl who brought the world together for a moment."

S

Stevespickn - Posted - 07/27/2019:  04:05:14

I sm looking for an Osborne Chief banjo strap, does Sonny still sell them?

TheChief - Posted - 07/27/2019:  06:23:18

Stevespicking,
I sent a private message to you explaining the process getting a strap.
I look forward to hearing from you.
s

TheChief - Posted - 07/28/2019:  08:26:46

The subject of the WHO IS JIMMY BROWN has surfaced and guess what...I know exactly the answer.

Jimmy Brown's name is JOHN SLAGLE JR. and he is from Newport TN. I can't truthfully say whether he is still among the living. I have not heard from him since 1961, or there about.

He and Benny Birchfield were working in Cleveland at an automobile factory.  They would drive down to Wheeling when we were on and we got acquainted in hat manner. When Red Allen left in 1958, Johnny Dacus sang with us for a short time and when he needed replaced, Mr. Slagle said he could do that part so we asked him to join us. He and Benny were doing a thing in Cleveland with some local guys. Benny played the banjo. When Slagle joined us Benny just kinda hung around too. Slagle recorded with us on MGM and sang on some important songs with us during that time. So, when he decided to leave Benny asked for the job and became arguably the best third vocal part of our trio. He was with us when we joined the Grand Ole Opry in July, 1964. He stayed until 1965. 

I hope this gets to the person who asked the question. It would be an interesting question for someone to submit to my article ASK SONNY ANYTHING at Bluegrass Today.

s

OldNavyGuy - Posted - 07/28/2019:  13:39:00

I posted a link to your answer in that thread...

banjohangout.org/topic/355773/#4503668

Ceres Banjo Works - Posted - 07/30/2019:  15:43:18

Saw this today... thought it timely...

 

rbfour5 - Posted - 07/31/2019:  04:31:45

@ Jim Britton- And just like the great banjo player you are, timing is everything...

Tim13 - Posted - 08/04/2019:  11:50:38

Located on "Rural Route 1." You don't often see the term rural route much anymore.

From Greylock to Bean Blossom - Posted - 08/04/2019:  12:52:15

Sonny,
On page 163 you answered a question for me. Man that was a lot said in a small space and I'm still chewing on it. But you said " I knew my weaknesses and struggled mightely to defeat them." I always thought of you as super gifted. Seems I read when you heard tones, you saw colors. Now I know that even someone as talented as Roger Federer has to work his tail off to play like he wants to and can, but I wondered what with your gift, you had to struggle mightely with? If you care to answer.
Thank you again,
ken

KD Banjer - Posted - 08/05/2019:  13:42:08

quote:

---

Originally posted by TheChief

The subject of the WHO IS JIMMY BROWN has surfaced and guess what...I know exactly the answer.

Jimmy Brown's name is JOHN SLAGLE JR. and he is from Newport TN. I can't truthfully say whether he is still among the living. I have not heard from him since 1961, or there about.

He and Benny Birchfield were working in Cleveland at an automobile factory.  They would drive down to Wheeling when we were on and we got acquainted in hat manner. When Red Allen left in 1958, Johnny Dacus sang with us for a short time and when he needed replaced, Mr. Slagle said he could do that part so we asked him to join us. He and Benny were doing a thing in Cleveland with some local guys. Benny played the banjo. When Slagle joined us Benny just kinda hung around too. Slagle recorded with us on MGM and sang on some important songs with us during that time. So, when he decided to leave Benny asked for the job and became arguably the best third vocal part of our trio. He was with us when we joined the Grand Ole Opry in July, 1964. He stayed until 1965. 

I hope this gets to the person who asked the question. It would be an interesting question for someone to submit to my article ASK SONNY ANYTHING at Bluegrass Today.

s

---

Thank you very much, Sonny, for answering this question and for all of your wisdom, memories and history that you share.

TheChief - Posted - 08/11/2019:  08:59:59

Ken. We go back to 1970.

The six string banjo was my idea of getting around the need to play a lower note which was not possible unless I added another string. I fought with this problem for a couple years...I called Clairman E. Ward (good banjo player and great banjo repair/builder from Charlotte NC) and asked if he could build a six string neck for me that would look exactly like the neck, and inlay in my Sonny Osborne model Vega which I was committed to playing at that time. He said he could so I took the neck to him and he did it to perfection. My point was that if I couldn't learn to play it, no one would know if I went back to the 5 string neck...they looked exactly alike. I received the 6 string neck on a Sunday, Dale Sledd and I installed it on the banjo, I learned to play it and recorded "Listening To The Rain" with it on Wednesday.  Worked out  pretty good for me, for a few years. But, the 5 called and I just had to answer. Still there too...until 2003. Rotator called  and I couldn't pass it up.

s

Edited by - TheChief on 08/11/2019 09:04:03

markbyrum - Posted - 08/11/2019:  14:16:15

Sonny:
Weren't you playing the 6-string during the Osborne Brothers portion of the movie "Bluegrass Country Soul " - you all are doing "Ruby" While Bobby was holding out that long note and you were doing the John Henry walk-down snippet he gave you a look as of to say "let's pick it up a little bit brother, I'm holding this note and I'm not as young as I used to be!" That a was a great performance. It looked like you all were having a great time in the heat that day. I think I was in the audience for that filming. Good memories!

Stevespickn - Posted - 08/13/2019:  04:17:55

My Chief serial number is 42003-0070. Is that number 70 for 2003, ot number 70 over all? Thanks, Steve.

From Greylock to Bean Blossom - Posted - 08/13/2019:  05:26:14

Sonny,
I have been listening to some old Flatt and Scruggs CDs taken from live shows: among them Martha White Biscuit Time 1953 Radio Gems and Flatt & Scruggs 1958-1959 197# Collectors Classics. It seems to me like there is something special in them. The band and Earl are a livelier than most of the Bear Family CD recording. It seems like Earl is more on fire and "jumps" on it a bit more. Is that my bad ear imagining this? Is it the hype? Or was there a difference in their live shows versus their studio play? If so, why? The energy, or so it seems to me, in their live stuff is a wow factor.
Thank you again for your time.
Ken

TheChief - Posted - 08/16/2019:  07:16:36

Ken....that's hard to answer because we are all wired differently. You are correct about Earl,  particularly the earlier days of Scruggs. He and Flatt were beginning to be a big success and they were not road weary in 1953. I think their recordings show this too. Earl really loved the banjo. It shows on Foggy Mtn. Breakdown, Flint Hill Special, Dear Old Dixie, all show a fire, hunger, pride, want to, different attitude than Randy Lynn Rag. True, his playing was different then. I first met Earl in 1952, and later when we moved to Nashville Earl and I became closer friends and I saw a different Earl. Secure, successful, road weary. He made a mental statement to me then that I didn't understand until 1978. He made a verbal statement directly to me (not hearsay) in about 1966; "I HAVEN'T BEEN INTERESTED IN THE BANJO IN 10 YEARS."  It broke my heart in 1966, but then I came to understand it in 1978. Ken, I realize this is way too much information than was necessary, but...I get carried away when I talk about a subject that I also loved that much. If it were somehow possible, when I leave this life I would come back as a 1934 Granada...9584-2

I know I get carried away by the past...but all I tell you is true...AND,  you can always hit the delete button.

s

From Greylock to Bean Blossom - Posted - 08/16/2019:  07:34:31

Sonny,
That is great stuff and I/we greatly appreciate your sharing your insight into all things banjo. Fascinating stuff indeed. I might hit the print button.
Did Earl ever get over the effects of being road weary so that he enjoyed the banjo somewhat akin to the way he did? Sounds like it hit you also for a bit but you sure have recovered.
I know from tennis that some years after being on the road 26 weeks of the year and watching over 1,000 matches or parts of each year, it became a job. But with a break, the love came back sometimes with even more appreciation.
Thanks for your time Sonny.
ken

TheChief - Posted - 08/23/2019:  11:46:24

Ken, I don't know whether he actually got past that loss, but I do believe that after he and Lester split he really got into working with his boys. I know for a fact that he never recovered the urge to play the same as he had played in the 51-53 time period. In places where he would really work to find the right roll, or combination of roll and notes that fit...he would tend to take short cuts...realizing perhaps that few in the audience would understand it anyhow and the majority came to SEE the GREAT Earl Scruggs, not to be as critical as I, and a few more would be. He might have realized at about this time that HE had changed a form of music, WORLD WIDE! 

As far as I was concerned, by 1978 I had lost the urge to try as hard because of the Banjo I was playing. I got the Granada and it just wouldn't give up as others I played would. It produced everything I asked of it, and prolonged my career 25 years. Every day was a challenge.

s

leeave96 - Posted - 08/24/2019:  01:04:20

Keep in mind that I’m a hack banjo player with a full time day job, but even at my level, after about 20 years I got tired of the band thing and quit playing. I figured once I got that participant ribbon at the Galax Fiddlers Convention, I’d go out on top... ;-)

I have 3 kids and I never made them play music with me, but did insist they play formal violin for school. I saw some screwed-up kids whose parents braw beat them into playing bluegrass music, I guess, thinking that was their ticket to Nashville and $$$, and I wanted no part of that.

This is where I relate to Earl Scruggs...

My oldest boy, on his own, has grown to love bluegrass music, Flatt, Scruggs, Monroe, Reno, Smiley, etc and even some Hylo Brown stuff. Of course Osborne Brothers music too. He has picked up a guitar, learned to play it and sing. He especially likes dragging out old, obscure, but great tunes. He also likes old real country music and he wants to play.

This has me excited about playing again. For the first time in a number of years, I pulled my banjo out of the attic, changed oil in it and we are going to (and have) played out a bit.

It’s a great feeling to pick and be on stage with your kids - when they want to do it. In this I can relate to Earl and his boys. I have to believe the opportunity to play music with his boys breathed new life in enjoyment of the music for Earl. It has for me.

YMMV...

TheChief - Posted - 08/25/2019:  08:11:20

You know LEEEVE96,

That brought back a memory. We were filming a thing for CBS and Earl was there too.  Must have been somewhere around 1980...give or take...I just had bought the Granada from Tom McKinney, so make that 1979.  Earl and Louise came over and commented on the instrument, she went out to smoke, and Earl and I had a few minutes to talk. I asked him how he was doing and he said: "I'm really enjoying playing with my boys!"  He continued "You know, there was just so many ways you could play Cumberland Gap!" That told the whole story. He got so sick of it, that it really didn't matter any longer and his boys opened a new door for him. 

Going back to the comment about the banjo....Louise said; "So, is this the baby?" Earl plucked every string 1 through 5 and  said; "They've got a sound all their own, ain't they?"

Thank you for bringing back that memory. I had lost that one and in my opinion when Ear Scruggs says anything directly to you, it should be documented somewhere. He is that important to the music of the banjo. Because of him, millions of people are listening to and playing the banjo...trying to do tit like Earl. . And we were fortunate enough to be here when it happened.  UNREAL!

s

pick1936 - Posted - 09/19/2019:  03:11:38

Sonny, I have been of the BHO for almost 4 years, My wife passed away and My computer blew up, I let it ride. BUT now I'm back, but way behind time. I was wondering if You ever got Your book published? If so I'd like to buy a copy.
And THANKS for the memories Son.

Judith511 - Posted - 09/26/2019:  07:35:24

Hi Sonny, I come over to this thread every now and then to read the things you write. Also would love to read your book when it is published. Sorry you have so much problem with your website. :(

Banjfoot - Posted - 10/08/2019:  13:33:15

So much good stuff and memories you have shared, thank you Sonny.

Mark Cox - Posted - 10/08/2019:  13:42:34

Hey Chief, We have not heard from you for several weeks, since August I believe. I hope everything is OK!