Bobby Osborne dead at 91: Cause of Death

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Bobby Osborne, best known for his song Rocky Top, was a BLUEGRASS artist.

Osborne, along with his brother Sonny, formed the duo the Osborne Brothers.

Osborne’s family confirmed his death at the age of 91 to WYMT, a local CBS affiliate.

The reason of death was not immediately disclosed.

In 1953, the Osborne Brothers began performing together.

When the duo debuted at Antioch College in 1960, they were the first bluegrass group to perform on a college campus.

In 1994, the brothers were inducted into the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame.

The first annual Osborne Brothers Festival was held in Leslie County, Kentucky, where the brothers grew up, the same year.

Bobby Osborne, on the other hand, had his own set of achievements.

He was inducted into the Grand Ole Opry in 1964.

Then, in 1982, Rocky Top was designated as Tennessee’s official song.

According to WYMT, the song was also adopted as the University of Tennessee’s athletic anthem.

At the time of his death, Osborne was still teaching at Hazard Community and Technical College’s Kentucky School of Bluegrass and Traditional Music, where he was about to begin his 16th year.

“We are deeply saddened to learn about Bobby’s death,” HCTC President Dr. Jennifer Lindon said in a statement, per WYMT.

“He was a pioneer in the Bluegrass music industry and a champion for Eastern Kentucky.”

In January 2023, Osborne was honored by Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear and the Kentucky Arts Council for sharing the state’s culture and art around the world.

Fans have shared tributes on social media in Osborne’s memory.

“RIP to the national treasure, Bobby Osborne. Bluegrass music owes so much to this man’s influence,” one fan tweeted.