Susan Marquez
DEREK VADEN Derek Vaden recalls when the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame inducted Bill Emerson in 2019; Sonny Osborne did the introduction. “Sonny called Larry Stephenson and we all rode to the IMBA together,” says Derek. “That was the first time I ever met Sonny. We ended up texting almost every day for two years until he had the stroke that killed him.” Derek says he and Sonny talked about banjos, bluegrass, and life. “Sonny was an interesting person. He could read people instantly. If he had the slightest hint that someone was dishonest, he would respond in a very negative way. But I could ask him anything and he would always tell the truth, and he was always free with his opinion.”
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