Bobby Gene Emmons, born on February 19, 1943, in Corinth, Mississippi, was a distinguished American musician and songwriter known for his significant contributions to the music industry. A self-taught keyboard player, Emmons began his professional career in 1959 and gained early prominence as a member of Bill Black's Combo from 1960 to 1963. During this period, the group was recognized as "Instrumental Group of the Year" for three consecutive years by trade magazines.

Emmons was a key figure in the Memphis music scene, serving as a session musician at Hi Records and later at American Studios, where he became part of the renowned studio group known as The Memphis Boys. His keyboard work featured on numerous iconic tracks, including Elvis Presley's "Suspicious Minds" and "In the Ghetto," Dusty Springfield's "Son of a Preacher Man," and Neil Diamond's "Sweet Caroline."

In addition to his session work, Emmons co-wrote several hit songs, including Waylon Jennings' "Luckenbach, Texas (Back to the Basics of Love)" and "The Wurlitzer Prize," Tanya Tucker's "Love Me Like You Used To," and George Strait's "So Much Like My Dad." His songwriting prowess earned him multiple nominations for "Song of the Year" and Grammy Awards, as well as several Citations of Achievement from Broadcast Music Inc.

Emmons relocated to Nashville in 1972, where he continued his successful career as a session musician and songwriter. He worked with a wide array of artists, including Willie Nelson, Johnny Cash, and The Highwaymen, contributing to albums such as "Always on My Mind" and "Pancho and Lefty." Emmons was honored by the Nashville Songwriters Association International for his creative contributions to music.

Bobby Emmons passed away on February 23, 2015, in Nashville, Tennessee, leaving behind a legacy as a pivotal figure in American music history. His work continues to influence and inspire musicians and songwriters worldwide.