Osborne Brothers
Encyclopedia
The Osborne Brothers, Sonny Osborne
(b. October 29, 1937) and Bobby Osborne
(b. December 9, 1931), were an influential and popular bluegrass
act during the 1960s and 1970s. They are probably best known for their #33 1968 country hit song, "Rocky Top
", written by Felice and Boudleaux Bryant
and named after a fictional Tennessee
location.
and had their first experiences as entertainers in southwestern Ohio. In 1952, Bobby was drafted into the military, and Sonny went to work with the "Father of Bluegrass Music" Bill Monroe
. Upon Bobby's return from service in 1953, the Osbornes teamed up with Jimmy Martin
, performing at radio stations WROL in Knoxville, Tennessee
and WJR
in Detroit, Michigan
. At their only session together, on November 16, 1954 the Osbornes and Martin recorded six songs for RCA Victor. In late 1955, the Osbornes left Martin and moved to Wheeling, West Virginia
, where they performed on WWVA Jamboree
until Christmas, together with Charlie Bailey. They returned to Dayton in early 1956 playing the local clubs with guitarist Enos Johnson. When Johnson left, the Osbornes added guitarist Red Allen
and fiddler Art Stamper to form a new group.
The Osborne Brothers and Red Allen (under the pseudonym Stanley Alpine) recorded for Gateway Records in February or March 1956 cutting eight instrumentals. In the spring of 1956, Tommy Sutton, a local disc jockey, helped the Osborne Brothers get a recording contract with MGM Records
. The new group, with the Osbornes on banjo and mandolin, Allen on guitar, Ernie Newton on bass, Tommy Jackson and Art Stamper on fiddles, made their MGM recording debut on July 1, 1956. Their first released 45 RPM single for MGM containing "Ruby Are You Mad" became a huge success and led to the Osbornes being signed on as regular members of the WWVA Jamboree in October 1956. The "Jamboree version" of the group comprised Ricky Russell on dobro, Johnny Dacus on fiddle and Ray Anderson on bass. "Ruby Are You Mad" marks the first time twin banjos were used on a bluegrass recording. On October 17, 1957, at their third session for MGM, the Osbornes, always experimenting with their sound, added a dobro and drums, also for the first time on a bluegrass recording. In April 1958, Red Allen, who was the last musician to receive billing next to the Osborne Brothers, left the group.
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 in 1958 was "Once More", as a trio with Red Allen
. The song featured 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 the 1960s, the brothers caused some controversy among Bluegrass music purists for their incorporation of electronic and percussion instruments in their live acts and studio works. In 1960, the Osborne Brothers became the first bluegrass group to perform on a college campus, at Antioch College. In 1963, they switched to Decca Records
. They recorded their tremendous hit "Rocky Top" in November 1967. Released on December 26, it sold 85,000 copies within two weeks. On August 8, 1964, the Osborne Brothers were inducted as members of the Grand Ole Opry
. In 1973, the Osborne Brothers performed at the White House as the first bluegrass group ever.
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.
Sonny Osborne
Sonny Osborne is a bluegrass singer and five-string banjo player. A master of the style developed by Earl Scruggs, called the "Scruggs style", he is best known for his collaboration with his brother Bobby Osborne as the Osborne Brothers.-Biography:Sonny Osborne began playing the banjo at the age...
(b. October 29, 1937) and Bobby Osborne
Bobby Osborne
Bobby Osborne is a bluegrass musician known for his mandolin playing and high lead vocals.Born December 7, 1931 in Leslie County, Kentucky, Bobby Osborne is known primarily for his collaborations with his brother Sonny Osborne in their band, the Osborne Brothers. He was a pioneer in conceiving the...
(b. December 9, 1931), were an influential and popular bluegrass
Bluegrass music
Bluegrass music is a form of American roots music, and a sub-genre of country music. It has mixed roots in Scottish, English, Welsh and Irish traditional music...
act during the 1960s and 1970s. They are probably best known for their #33 1968 country hit song, "Rocky Top
Rocky Top
"Rocky Top" is an American country and bluegrass song written by Felice and Boudleaux Bryant in 1967 and first recorded by the Osborne Brothers later that same year...
", written by Felice and Boudleaux Bryant
Felice and Boudleaux Bryant
Felice Bryant and Boudleaux Bryant were an American husband-and-wife country music and pop songwriting team best known for songs such as "Rocky Top," "Love Hurts" and numerous Everly Brothers hits, including "All I Have to Do Is Dream" and "Bye Bye Love".-Beginnings:Boudleaux was born Diadorius...
and named after a fictional Tennessee
Tennessee
Tennessee is a U.S. state located in the Southeastern United States. It has a population of 6,346,105, making it the nation's 17th-largest state by population, and covers , making it the 36th-largest by total land area...
location.
Biography
Although the Osbornes were born in Roark, Kentucky, on Jack's Creek, they then moved to Hyden, Ky., after their house burned down. Then, they grew up near Dayton, OhioDayton, Ohio
Dayton is the 6th largest city in the U.S. state of Ohio and the county seat of Montgomery County, the fifth most populous county in the state. The population was 141,527 at the 2010 census. The Dayton Metropolitan Statistical Area had a population of 841,502 in the 2010 census...
and had their first experiences as entertainers in southwestern Ohio. In 1952, Bobby was drafted into the military, and Sonny went to work with the "Father of Bluegrass Music" Bill Monroe
Bill Monroe
William Smith Monroe was an American musician who created the style of music known as bluegrass, which takes its name from his band, the "Blue Grass Boys," named for Monroe's home state of Kentucky. Monroe's performing career spanned 60 years as a singer, instrumentalist, composer and bandleader...
. Upon Bobby's return from service in 1953, the Osbornes teamed up with Jimmy Martin
Jimmy Martin
Jimmy Martin was an American bluegrass musician, known as the "King of Bluegrass".-Early years:Born James H. Martin in Sneedville, Tennessee. Jimmy Martin was born into the hard farming life of rural East Tennessee. He grew up near Sneedville, singing in church and with friends from surrounding...
, performing at radio stations WROL in Knoxville, Tennessee
Knoxville, Tennessee
Founded in 1786, Knoxville is the third-largest city in the U.S. state of Tennessee, U.S.A., behind Memphis and Nashville, and is the county seat of Knox County. It is the largest city in East Tennessee, and the second-largest city in the Appalachia region...
and WJR
WJR
WJR is a radio station in Detroit, Michigan, United States. It broadcasts a news/talk format. It is a class A clear channel station whose broadcasts can be heard throughout most of the Midwest, eastern United States and Canada at night, making it one of the most powerful radio stations in the...
in Detroit, Michigan
Detroit, Michigan
Detroit is the major city among the primary cultural, financial, and transportation centers in the Metro Detroit area, a region of 5.2 million people. As the seat of Wayne County, the city of Detroit is the largest city in the U.S. state of Michigan and serves as a major port on the Detroit River...
. At their only session together, on November 16, 1954 the Osbornes and Martin recorded six songs for RCA Victor. In late 1955, the Osbornes left Martin and moved to Wheeling, West Virginia
Wheeling, West Virginia
Wheeling is a city in Ohio and Marshall counties in the U.S. state of West Virginia; it is the county seat of Ohio County. Wheeling is the principal city of the Wheeling Metropolitan Statistical Area...
, where they performed on WWVA Jamboree
WWVA Jamboree
WWVA Jamboree, renamed Jamboree U.S.A. in the 1960s, and the Wheeling Jamboree in 2009, is a pioneering American radio show that featured country music from 1933–2008, and again since January 2009...
until Christmas, together with Charlie Bailey. They returned to Dayton in early 1956 playing the local clubs with guitarist Enos Johnson. When Johnson left, the Osbornes added guitarist Red Allen
Red Allen (bluegrass)
Harley Allen , better known as Red Allen, was an American bluegrass singer and guitarist known for his powerful tenor voice.-Biography:...
and fiddler Art Stamper to form a new group.
The Osborne Brothers and Red Allen (under the pseudonym Stanley Alpine) recorded for Gateway Records in February or March 1956 cutting eight instrumentals. In the spring of 1956, Tommy Sutton, a local disc jockey, helped the Osborne Brothers get a recording contract with MGM Records
MGM Records
MGM Records was a record label started by the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer film studio in 1946, for the purpose of releasing soundtrack albums of their musical films. Later it became a pop label, lasting into the 1970s...
. The new group, with the Osbornes on banjo and mandolin, Allen on guitar, Ernie Newton on bass, Tommy Jackson and Art Stamper on fiddles, made their MGM recording debut on July 1, 1956. Their first released 45 RPM single for MGM containing "Ruby Are You Mad" became a huge success and led to the Osbornes being signed on as regular members of the WWVA Jamboree in October 1956. The "Jamboree version" of the group comprised Ricky Russell on dobro, Johnny Dacus on fiddle and Ray Anderson on bass. "Ruby Are You Mad" marks the first time twin banjos were used on a bluegrass recording. On October 17, 1957, at their third session for MGM, the Osbornes, always experimenting with their sound, added a dobro and drums, also for the first time on a bluegrass recording. In April 1958, Red Allen, who was the last musician to receive billing next to the Osborne Brothers, left the group.
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 in 1958 was "Once More", as a trio with Red Allen
Red Allen (bluegrass)
Harley Allen , better known as Red Allen, was an American bluegrass singer and guitarist known for his powerful tenor voice.-Biography:...
. The song featured 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 the 1960s, the brothers caused some controversy among Bluegrass music purists for their incorporation of electronic and percussion instruments in their live acts and studio works. In 1960, the Osborne Brothers became the first bluegrass group to perform on a college campus, at Antioch College. In 1963, they switched to Decca Records
Decca Records
Decca Records began as a British record label established in 1929 by Edward Lewis. Its U.S. label was established in late 1934; however, owing to World War II, the link with the British company was broken for several decades....
. They recorded their tremendous hit "Rocky Top" in November 1967. Released on December 26, it sold 85,000 copies within two weeks. On August 8, 1964, the Osborne Brothers were inducted as members of the Grand Ole Opry
Grand Ole Opry
The Grand Ole Opry is a weekly country music stage concert in Nashville, Tennessee, that has presented the biggest stars of that genre since 1925. It is also among the longest-running broadcasts in history since its beginnings as a one-hour radio "barn dance" on WSM-AM...
. In 1973, the Osborne Brothers performed at the White House as the first bluegrass group ever.
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
Rocky Top
"Rocky Top" is an American country and bluegrass song written by Felice and Boudleaux Bryant in 1967 and first recorded by the Osborne Brothers later that same year...
," 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
International Bluegrass Music Association
The International Bluegrass Music Association, or IBMA, is a trade association to promote bluegrass music.Formed in 1985, IBMA established its first headquarters in Owensboro, Kentucky. In 1988 they announced plans to create the International Bluegrass Music Museum as a joint venture with...
's Hall of Honor. The induction is considered bluegrass music's highest honor.
Their hits
Their song "Ruby Are You Mad" came in 1956 after signing with MGM Records (1956) and began a string of hits through 1986. Among them were "Once More" (1958), "Up This Hill & Down" (1965), "Making Plans" (1965), "Rocky Top" (1967), "Tennessee Hound Dog" (1969), and "Midnight Flyer" (1972). The Osborne Brothers' final chart appearance came in late 1986 with a new version of "Rocky Top".Current status
Sonny retired in 2005, but Bobby continues to perform with his band Rocky Top X-press.Notable Band Members
- Red AllenRed Allen (bluegrass)Harley Allen , better known as Red Allen, was an American bluegrass singer and guitarist known for his powerful tenor voice.-Biography:...
, guitar - Benny Birchfield, guitar/banjo
- Paul BrewsterPaul BrewsterPaul Brewster is a former Gaelic footballer from County Fermanagh, Northern Ireland. He played with the Fermanagh intercounty team for a number of years and was regarded as one of the top Midfielders of his time...
, guitar - Jimmy D. Brock, bass
- Grady MartinGrady MartinThomas Grady Martin was one of the most renowned, inventive and historically significant American session musicians in country music and rockabilly....
, guitar - Shawn Camp, fiddle
- Jimmy Campbell, fiddle
- Shad Cobb, fiddle
- Donnie Collins, guitar
- David Crow, fiddle
- Derek Deakins, fiddle
- Dennis Digby, bass
- Glen Duncan, fiddle
- Boyce Edwards, fiddle
- Terry EldredgeThe GrascalsThe Grascals is a six-piece bluegrass band hailing from Nashville, Tennessee. Founded in 2004, the band has since gained a level of notability by playing on the Grand Ole Opry and in bluegrass festivals around the country....
, bass/guitar - Harley Gabbard, guitar
- Tim Graves, dobro
- Ray Kirkland, bass
- Jimmy MartinJimmy MartinJimmy Martin was an American bluegrass musician, known as the "King of Bluegrass".-Early years:Born James H. Martin in Sneedville, Tennessee. Jimmy Martin was born into the hard farming life of rural East Tennessee. He grew up near Sneedville, singing in church and with friends from surrounding...
, guitar - Jimmy MattinglyThe GrascalsThe Grascals is a six-piece bluegrass band hailing from Nashville, Tennessee. Founded in 2004, the band has since gained a level of notability by playing on the Grand Ole Opry and in bluegrass festivals around the country....
, fiddle - Daryl Mosely, bass
- Bobby Osborne, II, guitar/bass
- Robby Osborne, guitar/bass/drums
- Wynn Osborne, banjo
- Ronnie Reno, guitar/bass
- Dale Sledd, guitar
- Terry SmithThe GrascalsThe Grascals is a six-piece bluegrass band hailing from Nashville, Tennessee. Founded in 2004, the band has since gained a level of notability by playing on the Grand Ole Opry and in bluegrass festivals around the country....
, bass - Buddy SpicherBuddy SpicherBuddy Spicher is an American fiddle player.Spicher started in the late 50s as part of the backing band for Audrey Williams, the widow of Hank Williams, later with Hank Snow, the Charles River Valley Boys....
, fiddle - Blaine Sprouse, fiddle
- Steve Thomas, fiddle
- Gene WootenGene WootenGene Wooten was an American dobro player and multi-instrumentalist.-Biography:...
, dobro
Albums
| Year | Album | US Country | Label |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1968 | Yesterday, Today & the Osborne Brothers | 34 | Decca |
| 1969 | Up to Date and Down to Earth | 27 | |
| 1970 | Ru-beeeee | 44 | |
| 1971 | The Osborne Brothers | 31 | |
| Country Roads | 45 | ||
| 1972 | Bobby and Sonny | 44 | |
| 1974 | Fastest Grass Alive | 40 | MCA |
| 1975 | Pickin' Grass and Singin' Country | 30 | |
| 1982 | Bluegrass Spectacular | 64 | RCA |
Singles
| Year | Single | US Country Hot Country Songs Hot Country Songs is a chart published weekly by Billboard magazine in the United States.This 60-position chart lists the most popular country music songs, calculated weekly mostly by airplay and occasionally commercial sales... |
|---|---|---|
| 1958 | "Once More" | 13 |
| 1966 | "Up This Hill and Down" | 41 |
| "The Kind of Woman I Got" | 33 | |
| 1967 | "Roll Muddy River" | 66 |
| 1968 | "Rocky Top Rocky Top "Rocky Top" is an American country and bluegrass song written by Felice and Boudleaux Bryant in 1967 and first recorded by the Osborne Brothers later that same year... " |
33 |
| "Cut the Cornbread, Mama" | 60 | |
| "Son of a Sawmill Man" | 58 | |
| 1969 | "Tennessee Hound Dog" | 28 |
| 1970 | "Ruby, Are You Mad" | 58 |
| "My Old Kentucky Home (Turpentine and Dandelion Wine)" | 69 | |
| 1971 | "Georgia Pineywoods" | 37 |
| "Muddy Bottom" | 62 | |
| 1973 | "Midnight Flyer" | 74 |
| "Lizzie Lou" | 66 | |
| "Blue Heartache" | 64 | |
| 1976 | "Don't Let Smokey Mountain Smoke Get in Your Eyes" | 86 |
| 1979 | "Shackles and Chains" (with Mac Wiseman Mac Wiseman Malcolm B. Wiseman , better known as Mac Wiseman, is an American bluegrass singer, nicknamed The Voice with a Heart. The bearded singer is one of the cult figures of bluegrass.... ) |
95 |
| 1980 | "I Can Hear Kentucky Calling Me" | 75 |