The Osborne Brothers, comprising Sonny Osborne (October 29, 1937 – October … Read Full Bio ↴The Osborne Brothers, comprising Sonny Osborne (October 29, 1937 – October 24, 2021) and Bobby Osborne (December 7, 1931 - June 27, 2023), was an influential and popular American bluegrass act during the 1960s and 1970s (and until Sonny Osborne retired in 2005). They are probably best known for their 1967 country hit song, "Rocky Top", written by Felice and Boudleaux Bryant and named after a Tennessee location.
The first known public appearance of the Osborne Brothers was in 1951. They joined the cast at WCYB Bristol, Virginia, to perform on a program called "Farm and Fun Time", along with other Bluegrass bands, such as, The Stanley Brothers, Jimmy Martin, Carl Story and his Rambling Mountainers. Other members of "Farm and Fun Time" included, Jim & Jesse, Little Robert Van Winkle, Curly King and the Tennessee Hilltoppers, and country recording artist Red Kirk. The live program aired five days a week, Monday through Friday from 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm on WCYB Radio, and covered five states.
Upon their breakout into the bluegrass scene, the Osborne Brothers quickly became noted for their virtuosic instrumentation and tight, melodic vocal harmonies. Their first country chart appearance was "Once More", a 1958 trio with Red Allen, with a then-novel inverted stacked harmony: Bobby singing the lead line highest, then Sonny singing baritone, and finally the third singer (in this case Red Allen) singing the tenor as the lowest part. This placed Bobby's distinctive voice as the lead, and made the third voice a somewhat interchangeable part. As a result, the brothers could hire a series of guitarist/singers without changing their overall sound. This "high lead" vocal trio became their signature sound, used to great effect in the country market, with songs like "Blame Me", "Sweethearts Again", and a remake of the Carter Family's "Fair and Tender Ladies".
During their breakout period of the mid 1950s, Sonny's banjo and Bobby's mandolin styles became distinctive and easily-identifiable with their overall sound. The band was inducted as members of the Grand Ole Opry on August 8, 1964.
The Osborne Brothers have the distinction of having recorded two songs that would go on to be officially voted as "state songs." The first, "Rocky Top," was named a Tennessee state song in 1982. The other, "Kentucky," was named a state song for the brothers' home state of Kentucky.
In 1994, The Osborne Brothers were inducted into the International Bluegrass Music Association's Hall of Honor. The induction is considered bluegrass music's highest honor.
The first known public appearance of the Osborne Brothers was in 1951. They joined the cast at WCYB Bristol, Virginia, to perform on a program called "Farm and Fun Time", along with other Bluegrass bands, such as, The Stanley Brothers, Jimmy Martin, Carl Story and his Rambling Mountainers. Other members of "Farm and Fun Time" included, Jim & Jesse, Little Robert Van Winkle, Curly King and the Tennessee Hilltoppers, and country recording artist Red Kirk. The live program aired five days a week, Monday through Friday from 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm on WCYB Radio, and covered five states.
Upon their breakout into the bluegrass scene, the Osborne Brothers quickly became noted for their virtuosic instrumentation and tight, melodic vocal harmonies. Their first country chart appearance was "Once More", a 1958 trio with Red Allen, with a then-novel inverted stacked harmony: Bobby singing the lead line highest, then Sonny singing baritone, and finally the third singer (in this case Red Allen) singing the tenor as the lowest part. This placed Bobby's distinctive voice as the lead, and made the third voice a somewhat interchangeable part. As a result, the brothers could hire a series of guitarist/singers without changing their overall sound. This "high lead" vocal trio became their signature sound, used to great effect in the country market, with songs like "Blame Me", "Sweethearts Again", and a remake of the Carter Family's "Fair and Tender Ladies".
During their breakout period of the mid 1950s, Sonny's banjo and Bobby's mandolin styles became distinctive and easily-identifiable with their overall sound. The band was inducted as members of the Grand Ole Opry on August 8, 1964.
The Osborne Brothers have the distinction of having recorded two songs that would go on to be officially voted as "state songs." The first, "Rocky Top," was named a Tennessee state song in 1982. The other, "Kentucky," was named a state song for the brothers' home state of Kentucky.
In 1994, The Osborne Brothers were inducted into the International Bluegrass Music Association's Hall of Honor. The induction is considered bluegrass music's highest honor.
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The Osborne Brothers Lyrics
Arkansas Though the brambles took the cabin i was born in And…
Beneath Still Waters (Dallas Frazier) Beneath still waters there's a strong unde…
Big Spike Hammer Can't you hear the ripple on my big spike hammer Lord…
Blue Moon of Kentucky (Bill Monroe) Blue moon of Kentucky keep on shining Shine o…
Bluegrass Express I′ll never let you see The way my broken heart is…
Each Season Changes You (Ruth Talley - Al Gore - Mel Foree) Like the weather…
High On A Hilltop High on a hilltop overlooking the city I can see…
Listening to the Rain (Don Devaney) I'm looking out the window at the rain the…
Making Plans (Johnny Russell - Voni Morrison) You say tomorrow you′re go…
My Favorite Memory Not everybody drinks on a Tuesday night Mixes their liquor w…
Nobody's Darling But Mine [G] Come sit by my side, little [C] darlin' Come [D]…
Once More (Dusty Owens) Once more to be with you dear Just for tonigh…
Pain in My Heart When I first I met you, right from the start You…
The Cuckoo Bird Oh, the cuckoo she's a pretty bird She warbles as…
Unfaithful One (Cliff Bruner - A. Lyle) Unfaithful one your tears are fall…
Windy City (Bobby Osborne - Pete Goble) We came to big city from…