fiddle legend Bobby Hicks has passed away at the age of 91. born in Newton NC on July 21, 1933, Bobby got his big start with Bill Monroe in 1954 and fiddled on such recorded classics as Cheyenne (which he co-wrote), Roanoke, Wheel Hoss and more. he played a little banjo with Monroe too. he worked with Porter Wagoner in the early 60s and with Ricky Skaggs for nearly 25 years starting in 1981. he was also a member of the highly-acclaimed "Bluegrass Album Band" on Rounder Records and won several Grammys in his career.
Bobby favored a 5-string fiddle and loved playing swing. his 1978 album Texas Crapshooter is a great example with one side devoted to western swing and Buddy Emmons appearing on every song. listen HERE
Mr. Hicks was a local legend here in WNC, hosting a bluegrass jam in Marshall NC for many years and running a bird supply store in Asheville (where he also gave fiddle lessons) for several years as well. I spoke to him a couple times and requested Cheyenne at one of his jams... he was always as warm and friendly as can be.
thanks for the music Bobby Hicks! hate to see you go but I know your musical compadres in heaven are sure glad to have you
Last edited by scott murray on 16 Aug 2024 12:36 pm, edited 3 times in total.
This really broke my heart when I heard the news yesterday. When I got in Ricky Skaggs's band back in the early 90"s I was scared to death of Bobby because he always had a scowl on his face and seemed to be pissed off all the time. He really wasn't though. We ended up being roommates on the road and he wound up being one of my dearest friends in the world. We were listening to a fiddle player one time and he leaned over to me and said, "I taught him everything he knows." I said, "Really?" And he said "Yes, but I didn't teach him everything I know". He just kinda grinned and winked. Great musician. Fiddle, banjo or whatever. It was an honor to get to pick on the same stage with him for the 3 years that I was in the band. He was a true legend and I'm gonna miss him.
That's a good age, but it's still a shock. I saw Bobby countless times with Skaggs and he was always flawless.
I did get to say 'Hello' to him when Ricky was playing at the Peterborough Festival and I was, too - with Little Ginny. A courtly and old-fashioned gentleman and as courteous as he could be.
RIP, Bobby Hicks - a real pro, if there ever was one.
Roger Rettig: Emmons D10, B-bender Teles, Martins, and a Gibson Super 400!
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Another legend sadly gone...when my wife and I got married she came down the isle to Bobby Hicks playing 'Estrellta' from his great Fiddle Patch album. We memorized every note of Fiddle Patch as that was what calmed down our kitty BehBeh when traveling all across Washington State. Must have listened to that album thousands of times!
Great fiddler and great guy. Bobby recorded some of the Monroe standards like Big Mon, Monroe's Hornpipe, Cheyenne, etc... He could play country or bluegrass, and he knew how they were different. RIP my friend.
I listened to the Highways & Heartaches album today. If memory serves me correctly, Bobby played on every cut that has fiddle (except "You've Got A Lover," which has Skaggs on fiddles). The whole thing is a master class, but One-Way Rider and Don't Think I'll Cry just really stand out to me.
Also worth mentioning, I was watching an old Hee Haw episode on Roku a couple years back. Skaggs was a featured guest, and his band was with him. I couldn't make up my mind if the band was live or if Ricky was singing to a track; so I messaged Bruce Bouton here on the forum to ask him. The answer: all live. The reason I thought it may have been a track was that Bobby Hicks was SO ON that I really had my doubts. A truly great musician.
I have to second what Tim Sergent posted, except that I had met Bobby through association with another fiddle player that I worked with, who had worked with Bobby in the Judy Lynn band. That was my first conversation with Bobby, while Bobby was doing a show with Skaggs in Branson MO. I spent some time with Bobby, and I told Bobby that one day, I was going to be in Skaggs band, and his response was very encouraging. I think he at least halfway believed me, and wasn’t too surprised when I took Tim’s place. Though Bobby could have that grumpy old man syndrome, he was actually a sweetheart, and honestly a very nice and approachable man. My last show with Skaggs, it was Bobby’s shoulder that I cried on. He was the one that I was going to miss the most. He was a mentor in all aspects, and will be terribly missed.
Bobby was one of a kind. He was such an amazing musician and a true stylist. I worked with him for almost five years and will never forgot all of his amazing playing. He taught me a bunch , just by being around him.
Such sad news. Witnessed Bobby numerous times laying it down with Skaggs band full of consumate musicians ‘back in the day’ of great country music. Bobby lived a full life and seemed to always play the right notes. Music in Heaven just got a whole lot sweeter.
