23 August 2016

Dale Sledd [update]

Bluegrass Today announces the sad news that Dale Sledd died on Sunday 21 August at the age of 78. He was guitarist and singer with the Osborne Brothers, Bobby and Sonny, in their peak period, from the mid 1960s to the late 1970s, and helped record many of their most famous numbers. In a 1984/5 interview with Tony Trischka, Sonny Osborne said:

Dale Sledd was a great guitar player to play the banjo with, because he understood banjo playing so well. He pushed it just enough. He kept you just on top of the beat [...]. All things considered, I believe Sledd was the best I ever played with.

John Lawless on Bluegrass Today writes: 'For many loyal fans, his voice helped create what they remember as the classic Osborne Brothers sound.' A photo and a video of the Osbornes playing 'Rocky Top' with Dale Sledd on guitar (1967) are on the Bluegrass Today feature, together with funeral details.

Update 10 Nov.: A major festure on Dale Franklin Sledd by Richard Thompson appeared yesterday on Bluegrass Today, including substantial recollections by veteran banjo-picker Lonnie Hoppers.

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