Bobby Osborne was an American bluegrass mandolin player and high lead vocalist, born on December 7, 1931, in Thousandsticks, near Hyden, Kentucky, USA. He passed away on June 27, 2023, in Gallatin, Tennessee, USA.

Osborne embarked on his professional music journey around 1947 at WPFB in Middletown, Ohio, where he formed a group known as the Miami Valley Playboys. Initially, he performed in the style of Ernest Tubb and played electric guitar. During his time at WPFB, he met banjo player Larry Richardson from Galax, Virginia. Together, they left for West Virginia in pursuit of greater opportunities, performing on the radio in Welch as the Silver Saddle Boys. They later collaborated with Rex and Eleanor Parker in Bluefield, West Virginia, ultimately joining the Lonesome Pine Fiddlers. With this group, they recorded four tracks for Cozy Records, including the bluegrass classic “Pain In My Heart,” which gained considerable airplay in Dayton.

Following Richardson's departure, Osborne teamed up with Jimmy Martin, leading to the recording of four sides for King Records in Cincinnati, backed by the Lonesome Pine Fiddlers and released under the names Jimmy Martin and Bob Osborne. This period marked the beginning of Osborne's mandolin playing, as Jimmy Martin preferred to handle the guitar. Simultaneously, Bobby, along with Sonny Osborne, Louise Osborne, and possibly Jimmy Martin, recorded four tracks for Ott Ginter at the Osborne farmhouse.

Osborne recorded additional tracks with Sonny during and after his service in the Marine Corps, where he was deployed to Korea and earned a Purple Heart for injuries sustained in action. After this, he and Sonny collaborated with Jimmy Martin, performing at WPFB and WJR in Detroit under the name Jimmy Martin and the Osborne Brothers, producing six songs for RCA Victor.

After parting ways with Jimmy Martin, Bobby and Sonny, along with Red Allen, secured a contract with MGM Records. Their song “Once More” was notable for featuring their innovative high-lead style of trio harmony. Bobby's signature song, “Ruby,” highlighted his unique vocal abilities until it was eventually eclipsed by “Rocky Top” in 1967.

Following Red Allen's departure, Bobby and Sonny continued to work as the Osborne Brothers, recording with MGM, Decca (MCA), CMH, Sugar Hill, and Pinecastle. In recognition of their contributions to bluegrass music, Bobby and Sonny were inducted into the IBMA Bluegrass Hall of Fame in 1994, with Bobby receiving a second induction in 2009 as a member of the Lonesome Pine Fiddlers. They were also part of the inaugural class of inductees into the Kentucky Music Hall of Fame in 2002.

After Sonny retired from touring in 2007, Bobby continued his musical career as Bobby Osborne and the Rocky Top Express (later known as the Rocky Top X-Press), recording for OMS, Rural Rhythm, and Rounder. Additionally, he served as a faculty member at the Kentucky School of Bluegrass and Traditional Music in Hyden, Kentucky, which is part of Hazard Community and Technical College. In 2019, Osborne received an honorary Doctor of Fine Arts degree from Glenville State College in Glenville, West Virginia.

For the Texas songwriter of "Going Back To Louisiana," see Bobby Osborn.