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Who is Willow Osborne?
Willow Osborne is an American bluegrass singer, songwriter and banjo player from Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. She started playing banjo at a very young age of 4. On top of that, she has been playing in Country Tonite Theatre in Pigeon Forge for the past 9 years. Before that, she played at Dollywood Theme Parks where she starred in their several musical productions. She learned banjo from 4 times world banjo champion Gary “Biscuit” Davis. Additionally, she opened for 5 times Grammy award-winning country singer Marty Stuart
Willow Osborne is considered an American icon and national treasure in the bluegrass music genres. She is blessed to be endorsed by Deering banjos and Neat banjos with her own custom made gold banjo. She has also appeared on “Woodsongs” with Rhonda Vincent and The Rage, The United States Navy Bluegrass Band and Pat Flynn. She was interviewed and had the honor of playing with Banjo legend Jens Kruger in the TV documentary about his life
Who is Sonny Osborne?
Sonny Osborne was an American bluegrass musician and founding member of the Osborne Brothers. He was born on October 29, 1937, in Thousandsticks, Kentucky. His father was a farmer, teacher, and amateur banjo, guitar, and fiddle player. His older brother Bobby began playing bluegrass music after the family moved to Dayton, Ohio in 1941
Sonny Osborne was a baritone singer who played multiple types of banjos over his 53-year musical career. He was a prodigy on the instrument and joined his brother in playing with the Lonesome Pine Fiddlers in the summer of 1951, but returned to Ohio that autumn after Bobby left for the United States Marine Corps. In summer 1952 (at 14-years-old), Sonny Osborne was hired by bluegrass pioneer Bill Monroe, with whom he performed and recorded on the Grand Ole Opry. When Osborne’s brother, singer and mandolin player Bobby Osborne, returned home in 1953 from service in the Korean War, they formed the Osborne Brothers band (1953–2005)
The Osborne Brothers were inducted into the Grand Ole Opry, won a CMA Award and helped popularize and modernize the genre. They were known for their signature vocal harmony style and their innovative use of double banjos and six-string banjos on stage and in recordings. They also pushed boundaries by using electric guitars and drums, playing on college campuses and even the White House. They recorded and released their famous song, “Rocky Top” (written by Felice and Boudleaux Bryant) in 1967, which became an anthem for the University of Tennessee-Knoxville football team and one of the official state songs of Tennessee. Other songs they were known for include “Ruby Are You Mad” and “Tennessee Hound Dog.”
Sonny Osborne died on October 24, 2021, at his home in Hendersonville, Tennessee. He was 84 years old. He had suffered a series of strokes before his death. He was survived by his wife Judy and his brother Bobby
Many fans of bluegrass music have wondered if Willow Osborne and Sonny Osborne are related, given their shared last name and musical talent. However, there is no evidence that they are related by blood or marriage. They have never claimed to be related or acknowledged any family connection.
According to Willow Osborne’s website, her parents are Gale Osborne and an unnamed father. She has not mentioned any siblings or cousins in her interviews or social media posts. She has also not mentioned any relation to Sonny Osborne or the Osborne Brothers in her biography or career highlights
According to Sonny Osborne’s Wikipedia page, his parents were Charlie Batten Osborn (note the different spelling) and Mary Belle Holloway Osborn. He had two brothers: Bobby (his musical partner) and Gene (who died in infancy). He also had two sisters: Louise (who died as a child) and Betty Jean (who died in 2018). He married Judy Osborne in 1964 and had no children with her. He had two sons from a previous marriage: Lonnie Ray Osborn (who died in 2017) and Dana Scott Osborn (who is still alive)
Therefore, based on the available information, it is safe to say that Willow Osborne and Sonny Osborne are not related.
Conclusion
Willow Osborne and Sonny Osborne are both bluegrass stars who have made their mark on the genre with their banjo playing and singing. However, they are not related by blood or marriage. They have different parents, siblings, spouses and children. They have also never claimed or acknowledged any family connection. They are simply two talented musicians who share a common last name and a passion for bluegrass music.
