Osborne (Picture: Grand Ole Opry archives)
Bluegrass nice and GRAND OLE OPRY member BOBBY OSBORNE, the surviving half of the OSBORNE BROTHERS, has died on the age of 91. The OPRY confirmed his latest demise this afternoon (6/27). The mandolinist and tenor singer had been an OPRY member since 1964, alongside along with his banjo-playing brother SONNY, who died in 2021. BOBBY performed his final OPRY present in MAY.
Based on BOBBY’S bio on the OPRY website, the KENTUCKY-bred brothers initially launched into separate music careers, then “fashioned a duo in 1953 following BOBBY’s discharge from the U.S. MARINE CORPS. Their recording debut got here in 1956 with tracks for MGM [RECORDS] that proceed to rank among the many basic examples of OSBORNE BROTHER model. It was on these recordings — notably together with ‘As soon as Extra’ — that they modified the customary association of trio concord components in Bluegrass. Their sound featured SONNY singing lead in a excessive tenor, with two concord components organized under.”
They signed with DECCA RECORDS in 1963 and continued to report. Along with the now basic “Rocky Prime,” their different hits embody “Making Plans,” “Up This Hill and Down,” “Midnight Flyer,” “Take Me Residence, Nation Roads,” “Muddy Backside,” “TENNESSEE Hound Canine,” “GEORGIA Pineywoods,” and “Ruby.” They charted 18 singles on BILLBOARD’s Prime Nation Singles chart between 1958 and 1980.
They received a CMA Award for Vocal Group of the Yr in 1971, and had been inducted into the BLUEGRASS MUSIC ASSOCIATION’s HALL OF HONOR in 1994. SONNY retired from performing in 2005, whereas brother BOBBY continued to report and carry out along with his band, ROCKY TOP X-PRESS.
The success of 1967’s “Rocky Prime,” written by SONNY’s associates and neighbors, FELICE and BOUDLEAUX BRYANT, “propelled the brothers to worldwide stardom — taking part in gigs in SWEDEN, JAPAN and GERMANY, to call a number of,” in line with THE TENNESSEAN. “The music reached such recognition that at one level the brothers opened and closed reveals with [it].”
GRAND OLE OPRY/OPRY ENTERTAINMENT GROUP VP/Government Producer DAN ROGERS stated BOBBY OSBORNE “was among the many final of his era of Bluegrass pioneers. What a profound loss for the OPRY household and Bluegrass music followers all over the world. Mr. OSBORNE’s legacy will dwell ceaselessly on this stage we love and wherever his model is emulated. Thanks to BOBBY OSBORNE for greater than 70 years of music and recollections.”
Osborne (Picture: Grand Ole Opry archives)
