Musician Spotlight: Osborne Brothers

The Osborne Brothers, Sonny and Bobby Osborne, were famous bluegrass musicians during the 1960s and 70s. They were known for their classic style and characteristics of bluegrass such as virtuoso instrumentation and precise vocal harmonies. The Osborne brothers had an important influence on the genre and pushed it to broaden its horizons. Their most popular hit Rocky Top was made the official state song of Tennessee.

While Bobby Osborne served in the Korean war, Sonny collaborated with the father of bluegrass, Bill Monroe. When Bobby returned they joined forces with Jimmy Martin, who had previously been Monroe’s lead vocalist in the band the Blue Grass Boys. The team performed a radio session together in 1954.

The following year the Osborne Brothers left Martin and put together a new group guitarist Red Allen and fiddler Art Stamper. The brothers’ instruments were banjo and mandolin. With the addition of Ernie Newton on bass and an extra fiddler Tommy Jackson, they got a recording contract with MGM in 1956.

After a few sessions with MGM, they decided to experiment with their sound and add more instruments to the group. This included dobro and drums, which were unconventional in bluegrass.

Sonny and Bobby Osborne were also skilled vocalists. Sonny was the baritone and Bobby sung the high notes. Red Allen was the third singer, and the group became famous for their high lead vocal trio. Allen later left the group in 1958.

The Osborne Brothers kept this style of singing and maintained it by adding other vocalists. This led to their success in the country market with songs including Blame Me and Sweethearts Again.

During the 1960s, The Osborne Brothers continued to reinvent their sound causing controversy among other bluegrass musicians. They often incorporated electronic and percussion instruments into their recordings and performances.

The Osborne Brothers played on college campuses and on the radio show the Grand Ole Opry. The hit Rocky Top came out in 1967 later on in their career. It was made the state song of Tennessee officially in 1982. Take a listen to this classic song here:

The Osborne Brothers were pioneers in the bluegrass genre. In 1973, they were the first bluegrass band to perform at the White House. They were also the first bluegrass act to play at Harrah’s in Lake Tahoe.

In the 60s, The Osborne Brothers became popular due to the American folk revival. Throughout the 70s they made bluegrass accessible to a more mainstream country audience. They toured with artists such as Johnny Cash and Faron Young. By the 80s, they were pioneering a program of bluegrass symphony orchestras, reaching out to an even wider audience.

Finally, in 1994, The Osborne Brothers were inducted into the International Bluegrass Music Association’s Hall of Honor. This is considered to be one of the greatest achievements in the bluegrass genre. From modest beginnings as entertainers in southwestern Ohio, The Osborne Brothers were later named Best Vocal Group by The Country Music Association and voted the Top Bluegrass Group for nine consecutive years by the readers of Music City News. They were definitely viewed as some of the most talented musicians in both genres.