Chubby Wise, born Robert Russell Wise on October 2, 1915, in St. Augustine, Florida, was a pioneering American bluegrass and country fiddler whose career spanned several decades. Initially learning the banjo and guitar, Wise took up the fiddle at the age of 12, influenced by his father, a "backwoods fiddler," and other notable local fiddlers like Bryan Purcell and Broward Green. By his early 20s, Wise was performing professionally, known for his distinctive style that blended country, swing, blues, and pop influences.

In 1938, Wise joined the Jubilee Hillbillies and later became a key figure in the development of bluegrass music when he joined Bill Monroe's Blue Grass Boys in 1942. During his tenure with Monroe, Wise contributed to the classic bluegrass sound, performing on iconic tracks such as "Blue Moon of Kentucky" and "Footprints in the Snow." His "high lonesome" fiddle style became a blueprint for future generations of bluegrass fiddlers.

Wise's career included collaborations with numerous artists and bands, including the York Brothers, Flatt & Scruggs, and Connie B. Gay. In 1954, he joined Hank Snow's Rainbow Ranch Boys, performing regularly at the Grand Ole Opry until 1970. Wise also worked as a session musician with artists like Mac Wiseman and Red Allen.

Throughout his career, Wise recorded several albums, including "Chubby Wise and the Rainbow Ranch Boys" (1961) and "Chubby Wise in Nashville" (1994). He was credited with co-composing the "Shenandoah Waltz" and was involved in the creation of the famous fiddle tune "Orange Blossom Special."

Wise received the Florida Folk Heritage Award in 1989 and was inducted into the Bluegrass Hall of Fame in 1998, two years after his death on January 6, 1996, in Bowie, Maryland. His legacy as a fiddler who helped shape the bluegrass genre remains influential in American music history.