Bobby Osborne Obituary Bluegrass Band Singer Died At 91
Bobby Osborne obituary was shared on Tuesday, June 27, 2023.
He unexpectedly passed away at the age of 91 in a hospital in Gallatin, Tennessee, a suburb of Nashville.
Their contributions were highly influential in the genre.
Dan Rogers, the Grand Ole Opry’s vice president and executive producer, confirmed his death.
Bobby was a famous vocalist and mandolin player.
He was a member of a legendary bluegrass band alongside his younger brother, Sonny.
His extraordinary talent earned him membership in reputable associations like the Grand Ole Opry and the International Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame.
Furthermore, he served in the US Marine Corps, where he got a Purple Heart for his inflexible duty and was nobly discharged in 1953.
Osborne worked as a bluegrass music instructor in the Kentucky School of Bluegrass and Traditional Music in Hyden, Kentucky.
He specialized in teaching and sharing his expertise in bluegrass music.
Especially his primary musical instrument of choice was the mandolin, showcasing his exceptional skill and passion for the instrument.
Overview of his life
Bobby Van Osborne was born on December 7, 1931.
He was an esteemed American bluegrass musician. He played a major role as the co-founder of the Osborne Brothers alongside his brother Sonny Osborne.
Osborne made multiple musical releases starting in the 1950s.
However, the recordings of the Osborne Brothers, including the songs “Rocky Top” and “Kentucky,” were officially selected as state songs for Tennessee and Kentucky.
He joined the U.S. Marine Corps and actively served during the Korean War in 1951.
Bobby proved his bravery and sacrifice as he sustained injuries in combat and was awarded with the Purple Heart for his fearlessness.
He had no prior knowledge of bluegrass music until one fateful night when he tuned into the Grand Ole Opry on WSM radio.
The captivating sound of a banjo caught his attention, and he later discovered it was Earl Scruggs playing a captivating tune called “Cumberland Gap.”
This became a turning point for Bobby, igniting his interest in this genre of music.
He had the opportunity to share the stage with Ernest Tubb multiple times, showcasing his guitar skills and vocal talents.
Inspired by Tubb, Bobby received valuable advice to enhance his high tenor voice by taking up the mandolin.
Following his 2009 album “Bluegrass & Beyond,” Bobby Osborne released his much-anticipated solo album “ORIGINAL” in 2017.
This marked a significant gap between his previous and latest album.
The creation of “ORIGINAL” was the result of a fruitful collaboration between Osborne and Peter Rowan, which further paved the way for another collaboration with Alison Brown.
The album showcased an impressive lineup of talented bluegrass/Americana musicians and artists, including Vince Gill, Sam Bush, Jim Lauderdale, Sierra Hull, Claire Lynch, Del McCoury, Ronnie McCoury, Robbie McCoury, Stuart Duncan, and Rob Ickes.
Their collective contributions made “ORIGINAL” a remarkable and unforgettable musical endeavor.
In 1972, Bobby Osborne penned the song “Windy City,” which was subsequently recorded by Alison Krauss for her LP titled “Windy City.”
Krauss collaborated with Suzanne and Sidney Cox on the recording and even performed the song on Jimmy Kimmel Live.
Throughout his career, Osborne continued to captivate audiences with his performances alongside his band, the Rocky Top X-Press.
His dedication to music remained unwavering until his passing in 2023, leaving behind a remarkable legacy.
The Bobby Osborne obituary does not currently disclose the cause of his death, and specific details regarding his funeral services have not yet been made available to the public.
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