Bobby has been working with wood for most of his life. He began woodturning in the late 1970's when he attended a class taught by Rude Osolnik at the Appalachian Center for Crafts. He has since attended many classes, seminars and demonstrations by some of he best turners in the world. He began teaching in 1997 at the John C. Campbell Folk School and has since taught at Appalachian Center, Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts, and the Dogwood Institute.
He joined the American Association of Woodturners (AAW) when it was founded, elected to its Board of Directors in 1999 and served as President from 2001 to 2003. He is past president of the Tennessee Association of Woodturners and is the founding president of the Cumberland Woodturners.
Bobby was featured on HDTV's "Modern Masters Christmas Special" in 1999, 2000, and 2002. He and his turnings have also been featured on a PBS television show--"Tennessee Crossroads" and the "Tennessee Magazine".