Registered: Jan 2012
Location: Fort Worth , Texas
Posts: 221

One of the original Great Hounds and one of the greatest Stud dogs in history.

Joe House's foundation was House's Queen and Johnson's Banjo.

I am guessing most hunters of today have never seen a picture of Banjo. I thought I would share.

In the 1960's when one said the word "Banjo," everyone knew they were talking about Johnson's Banjo. Banjo died on September 11, 1963. He was a young hound but he had already had a huge impact on the Treeing Walker breed.

This first article was written by James Merchant. He is describing a young dog that had just started making the hunts. James would later own Banjo and finish 2nd in the 1961 ACHA World Hunt.





This is a picture of the original owner of Banjo, Sylvestor "Bud" Johnson.



James Merchant purchased Banjo and brought him into the public eye.




James finishes 2nd in the ACHA World Hunt with Banjo. Finishing 87 1/2 points behind Stan's Sailor Boy in the 1961 hunt



James sells Banjo to JC Ellis.



My favorite picture of Banjo.



Various ads on Banjo




Banjo's Death

Last edited by BGathright on 11-08-2012 at 05:12 PM

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Many years ago there was an article in "Outdoor Life" about coonhunting and Johnsons Banjo. Kind of what shaped my thoughts on bloodlines and leaned towards House Bred dogs many years ago.

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Registered: Feb 2008
Location: In my heart Eureka Springs
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GREAT THREAD BOBBY!!!

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Registered: May 2004
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Helped put the tree in the walkers, up untill Banjo, walkers were made fun of because they would not tree.

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Registered: Jan 2010
Location: West Virginia
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Man those pics bring back memories,,,Don Cox and old Tammy ,Not to forget about Don Ranke and his Blue Ridge Rock ,,Yep those pics of those dogs are the foundation dogs of my old line too. Man Oh Man ,,what a thread !

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Registered: Jan 2004
Location: Chicago, IL
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Johnsons Banjo was born near Beecher City, Illinois. I met the man that raised him many years back. He was a humble man, living a country life. He never really knew the impact of the dog, but did know he went onto to be very famous.

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The pic of the Buck dog ,,,I do think Mr. Merchant did buy that dog ,Because he looks Identical to Gr.Night Champion Merchant"s Buck that was in my home state of WVa as a young man,,,Correct me if I'm wrong ,but i'm almost positive.

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quote:

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Originally posted by chuck west
The pic of the Buck dog ,,,I do think Mr. Merchant did buy that dog ,Because he looks Identical to Gr.Night Champion Merchant"s Buck that was in my home state of WVa as a young man,,,Correct me if I'm wrong ,but i'm almost positive.

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quote:

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Originally posted by chuck west
Man those pics bring back memories,,,Don Cox and old Tammy ,Not to forget about Don Ranke and his Blue Ridge Rock ,,Yep those pics of those dogs are the foundation dogs of my old line too. Man Oh Man ,,what a thread !

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LOL ,,,I knew it,lol, i was right,,Boys there is a ton of Buck and Tammy dogs in WVa if you get to looking and tracing back. OK maybe you know,have you ever heard of Groce's Radio or Cox's Cannonball,??not really sure but i think they were littermates !

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I believe you had replied to Mark Hick's classified for the Lipper's Stylish Rooster pups.

If so, care to share anything about the cross?

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quote:

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Originally posted by chuck west
LOL ,,,I knew it,lol, i was right,,Boys there is a ton of Buck and Tammy dogs in WVa if you get to looking and tracing back. OK maybe you know,have you ever heard of Groce's Radio or Cox's Cannonball,??not really sure but i think they were littermates !

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All I can say on that cross is the Lexie female is bred right the way i like them,,Hillbilly Mac,Rock River Banjo etc. track driving accurite tree dogs. That was what my line off dogs were bred like . Those puppies should make coondogs no doubt if handled right !

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quote:

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Originally posted by chuck west
All I can say on that cross is the Lexie female is bred right the way i like them,,Hillbilly Mac,Rock River Banjo etc. track driving accurite tree dogs. That was what my line off dogs were bred like . Those puppies should make coondogs no doubt if handled right !

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quote:

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Originally posted by BGathright
What type of nose would you say she has?

If I can, I am going to pick one up tomorrow.

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Mike Shannon has a littermate Sister to Lexie ,,He has the post Team Hillbilly Mac ,You might want to check that out or his dogs.

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I sent you a PM with my cell number .

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quote:

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Originally posted by chuck west
Mike Shannon has a littermate Sister to Lexie ,,He has the post Team Hillbilly Mac ,You might want to check that out or his dogs.

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quote:

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Originally posted by chuck west
Mike Shannon has a littermate Sister to Lexie ,,He has the post Team Hillbilly Mac ,You might want to check that out or his dogs.

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Registered: Feb 2008
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WHAT FAMOUS STUD DOG IS A HALF BROTHER TO JOHNSON'S BANJO?
I have heard this for years and finally was able to confirm it.

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The History Should Be Known
Don

http://www.finleyriverchief.com

Sites I like to visit that have a lot of information:

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quote:

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Originally posted by HistoryNutt
WHAT FAMOUS STUD DOG IS A HALF BROTHER TO JOHNSON'S BANJO?
I have heard this for years and finally was able to confirm it.

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quote:

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Originally posted by HistoryNutt
WHAT FAMOUS STUD DOG IS A HALF BROTHER TO JOHNSON'S BANJO?
I have heard this for years and finally was able to confirm it.

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quote:

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Originally posted by chuck west
Did this famous half brother sire another well know stud dog ???

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__________________
The History Should Be Known
Don

http://www.finleyriverchief.com

Sites I like to visit that have a lot of information:

A Lot Of Old Pictures And Ads

http://finleyriverchief.forumotion.net

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There are more that you can't access unless registered.

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Registered: Jan 2010
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quote:

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Originally posted by chuck west
I sent you a PM with my cell number .

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