Bobby Osborne is an American bluegrass musician who has been a professional musician for over 70 years. Born in Leslie County, Kentucky, in 1931, he formed a bluegrass duo with his brother, Sonny Osborne, in 1953. The Osborne Brothers went on to become one of the most popular bluegrass acts of all time.
Bobby was born to a traditional mountain family, with his father playing the banjo and his mother singing. Bobby and Sonny began playing together as children, and soon developed a sound that combined traditional Appalachian melodies with modern bluegrass. Bobby played rhythm guitar and sang the lead vocals.
The brothers enjoyed local success, but it wasn't until they were signed to MGM records in the early 1960s that their national fame began to take off. They released several albums and singles that made the country and bluegrass charts, and they soon became regulars on the Grand Ole Opry. They also played notable venues such as Carnegie Hall and the Newport Folk Festival.
In 1965, Bobby and Sonny became the first bluegrass act to win a Grammy Award, for their version of the traditional tune "Rocky Top". The song quickly became an anthem for the state of Tennessee, and has since been recorded by dozens of artists across all genres.
The Osborne Brothers continued to tour and record until Sonny retired in the late 1980s. Bobby continued to carry on the band's legacy with a new lineup, which he named Bobby Osborne and the Rocky Top X-Press. He released several albums with them, and continued to tour until his retirement in 2018.
In addition to his music, Bobby was an active member of the bluegrass community. He served on the Board of Directors of the International Bluegrass Music Association, and was inducted into the IBMA Hall of Fame in 2001.
Bobby Osborne has left a lasting legacy in the world of bluegrass music. His innovative sound, combined with his commitment to the craft, have made him one of the most iconic figures in the genre.
