Kentucky native Bobby Osborne, co-creator of Tennessee's fight song 'Rocky Top,' dead at 91

“Rocky Top” is one of the most well-known rallying sounds in all of college athletics. Now, unfortunately, one of its founding performers has passed on.

Per a report from WLEX in Lexington, Bobby Osborne, one of the co-founders of the Osborne Brothers, has passed away at 91. That’s according to members of the Osborne family.

Osborne, along with his brother, Sonny, who also passed back in 2021, became synonymous with “Rocky Top.” The song has been played in Knoxville as a de facto fight song for the Tennessee Volunteers. It was then adopted as Tennessee’s state song back in 1982.

“We are deeply saddened to learn about Bobby’s death,” said HCTC President Dr. Jennifer Lindon in the report. “He was a pioneer in the Bluegrass music industry and a champion for Eastern Kentucky. We are keeping Bobby’s family in our prayers. (We) ask that all Kentuckians join us in remembering the legacy he leaves our mountains.”

Osborne had been a member of the Grand Ole Opry since 1964. Then, in 1994, the Osborne Brothers were inducted into the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame.

Again, few songs, if any, ring in a college fanbase like “Rocky Top” does within Neyland Stadium, Thompson-Boling Arena, and so on. That’s why, although he passes as a Kentucky native from Leslie County, Osborne, along with his brother, will always be welcome in their other home sweet home in Knoxville.

Joe Milton reveals unique hobbies outside of football

While attending the Manning Passing Academy held at Nicholls State University in Thibodaux, Louisiana, Tennessee quarterback Joe Milton revealed the unique hobbies he has outside of football.

As Milton explained, music and playing the drums are incredibly important to him.

“Either playing the drums, playing Call of Duty, I listen to music a lot,” Milton said. “I like to drive my car around the city, just long roads and listen to music…I’ve been playing drums since I was eight. Yeah, it’s been a minute.”

Despite playing the drums for so long, Joe Milton isn’t in a band. Instead, he plays a snap drum for himself.

“I’ve got a drum pad in my closet. I just go in there, close the closet door, and just play the drums…I would not be in the Tennessee band. HBCU, yeah, but not the Tennessee band.

Joe Milton is hoping to use his massive arm and have a breakout season in 2023. That season could potentially propel Tennessee forward as a program and help him improve his potential draft stock.