A sad day for bluegrass fans.
Bobby Osborne, the frontman, a founding member, and brother of the iconic bluegrass duo The Osborne Brothers, passed yesterday at 91.
The widely known group for their song “Rocky Top” has many other successes than curating the now-adapted school song for the University of Tennessee.
The duo also has a longstanding history with the Grand Ole Opry. Being inducted in 1964, The Osborne Brothers had many Opry appearances, shining their celebrated bluegrass sound on one of the most historic stages in country music.
“Bobby Osborne was among the last of his generation of bluegrass pioneers.”
“What a profound loss for the Opry family and bluegrass music fans around the world. Mr. Osborne’s legacy will live forever on this stage we love and wherever his style is emulated.
Thank you to Bobby Osborne for more than 70 years of music and memories.”
Opry executive producer Dan Rogers said in a statement Tuesday.
Bobby did not slow down with his music even in his old age. While he might not have played as much, he was still very involved in the bluegrass scene.
With his other famous songs like “Tennessee Hound Dog,” “Kentucky Waltz,” and “Sunny Side Of The Mountain,” the brothers picking style and vocals have inspired many faces in bluegrass today like Billy Strings, Sierra Ferrell, Molly Tuttle, and many others.
Bobby told a Kentucky news station in 2021:
“I want to; I just want to. I was born to do it, and I ain’t going to quit.”
Bobby’s brother Sonny passed in 2021 so I’m sure The Osborne Brothers are reunited and pickin’ in the sky.
The legend of The Osborne Brothers is far from forgotten, and faces in bluegrass today are already ensuring their impact on the genre lives on.
“Rocky Top”
“Doin’ My Time”
“Ruby – Are You Mad At Your Man”
