Legendary bluegrass musician and half of The Osborne Brothers, Bobby Osborne, died Tuesday at the age of 91.
Osborne was a member of both the International Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame and The Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, which confirmed Osborne’s death. A cause of death was not disclosed.
“Bobby Osborne was the last of the generation of bluegrass pioneers,” said Dan Rogers, Opry executive producer and vice president. from Tennessee.
“What a loss to the Opry family and bluegrass music fans around the world. Mr. Osborne’s legacy will live on forever on this stage we love and wherever his style is exemplified. Thank you to Bobby Osborne for over 70 years of music and memories. ”
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The 1967 song “Rocky Top”, which became a Tennessee state song in 1982, was first popularized by Osborne and his brother (and bandmate) Sonny and became a concert staple for the couple as they quickly rose to fame in the late 1960s and early 1970s. came. for unique vocal melodies.
A native of Kentucky, Osborne was both an acclaimed guitarist and mandolin fan, and along with Sonny, The Osborne Brothers received numerous nominations for their work – including six for CMA vocal group of the year between 1970 and 1975. Osborne’s website.
They took home the trophy for the category in 1971.
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“Bobby Osborne was a bluegrass icon who helped bring Kentucky’s most famous music onto the world stage. It was an honor to meet him and celebrate his talents, and I’m grateful that his work has allowed us to remember him for generations. My thoughts and prayers are with his family.” tweeted Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear Wednesday morning.
Country singer Dierks Bentley also paid tribute to the icon on Instagram.
“I loved the Osborne Brothers. My friend Terry Eldredge referred me to them when I got to know him and the guys who played on the Station Inn house band The Sidemen. My first backstage experience at the Opry was with Terry. Bentley said, “He played guitar with Bobby and Sonny and played low said the tenor. I will never forget this performance,” he wrote.
He continued: “Many great recordings but this is the one I listen to over and over the most. I’m trying to learn the baritone part from Sonny (I still am) and I was fascinated by the strength and treble of Bobby’s voice. There aren’t many people. He can interpret Osborne Brother songs because he can sing it. You have to pull the key down a lot and that ‘puts out all the fire’ as Sonny once said. He was right. It’s a sad day for country music and bluegrass with Sonny and now Bobby is gone. RIP.”
Sonny Osborne, six years younger than Bobby, retired from music in 2005 before dying in 2021 after suffering a series of strokes.
Bobby Osborne remained a teacher at Hazard Community and Technical College’s Kentucky School of Bluegrass and Traditional Music in Leslie County, Tennessee, until his death on June 23.