It is with deep sadness that this week the bluegrass world has lost two of the most influential musicians in the history of the music we love. On June 23, 2023, Jesse L. McReynolds passed from this life and on June 27, 2023, Bobby Osborne also passed from this life. They were two of the most respected musicians and entertainers the bluegrass world has ever had the pleasure of knowing and hearing them perform such wonderful music.
They will be missed by many, but the music will live forever.
Jesse was born July 9, 1929 in Coeburn, VA. He was preceded in death by his parents, Claude Matthew McReynolds and Prudence Savannah Robinette McReynolds; loving first wife of 41 years, Darlene McReynolds; son, Keith McReynolds, brother, Jim McReynolds, sisters, Stella McReynolds and Virginia Greear and great grandson, Andrew Keith McReynolds. He is survived by his loving second wife of 27 years, Joy Tipton McReynolds; daughter, Gwen McReynolds; sons, Michael K. McReynolds and Randy Q. McReynolds; eight grandchildren and three great grandchildren
Bobby Osborne, the singer and mandolin player who with his younger brother, Sonny, led one of the most groundbreaking bands in the history of bluegrass, died on Tuesday at a hospital in Gallatin, Tenn., a suburb of Nashville. He was 91. He was born in 1931 in Hyden KY. Bobby on Mandolin and his younger brother Sonny on Banjo formed the Osborne Brothers Band. Along with Dale Sledd on Guitar and many other great musicians over the years, this band pioneered much of the bluegrass music we know and love today. I had the pleasure of talking with him several times and he was a fine person. I was honored to have known him. RIP