Bobby Van Osborne[1] (December 7, 1931 – June 27, 2023) was an American bluegrass musician.

[3] Osborne was a member of the United States Marine Corps, received a Purple Heart for his service, and was honorably discharged in 1953.

At the same time he was attracted to the music of the Grand Ole Opry and eventually dropped out of high school to form a band with his brother, Sonny.

He liked the sound of that banjo, and found out later on it was Earl Scruggs playing a tune called 'Cumberland Gap.'

Ernest Tubb suggested that Bobby play the mandolin to complement his high tenor voice.

[17] Inducted to Grand Ole Opry (1964, as member of the Osborne Brothers)[2] Between the death of Jesse McReynolds on June 23, 2023, and his own death on June 27, 2023, Osborne was the oldest standing Opry member.

Named Vocal Group of the Year by Country Music Association (1971 as member of the Osborne Brothers)[18] Inducted to International Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame (1994, as member of the Osborne Brothers).