Bluegrass Fiddler Bobby Hicks has Died, Aged 91

A GRAMMY Award winner, Hicks appeared with Bobby Monroe and Ricky Skaggs, among others

The GRAMMY Award-winning bluegrass fiddler Bobby Hicks, who in 2017 was inducted into the International Bluegrass Hall of Fame, has passed away at the age of 91.

Born in Newton, North Carolina in 1933 to a family who played a great deal of traditional music, Hicks learned the mandolin and the guitar in childhood. He then progressed to the fiddle on the advice of his first teacher, Smoky Graves.

At the age of 12, Hicks won the fiddle category of the North Carolina State Championship, and over the next few years continued to make a name for himself on the competition circuit. His early professional work followed soon after, and saw him perform with Jim Eanes, and Benny Jarrell & the Flint Hill Playboys.

Hicks really broke into the mainstream, however, when he joined Bill Monroe's band Bluegrass Boys for a tour in 1953. He initially played bass, but Monroe soon suggested he play fiddle. During this period, Hicks recorded some staple bluegrass tracks, including Wheel Hoss, Roanoke, and Cheyenne.

In 1959, Hicks left Monroe's group to play in Porter Wagoner and followed this with a stint on the Judy Lynn Show in Nevada from 1963. His most substantial stretch of work, however, was the 23-year period from 1981 in which he played with Ricky Skaggs — during which he recorded numerous hits, as well as the first recording by the Bluegrass Album Band.

By the time he retired from playing in 2004, he was 71 years old.

Our condolences to Hicks's family, friends, and colleagues.