Remembering Cliff Carlisle: The Legacy of a Yodeling Steel Guitar Legend

Cliff Carlisle, a pioneer in early American country and blues music, passed away on April 5, 1983, in Lexington, Kentucky, at the age of 79. While specific details about his cause of death remain limited, his influence on the genre is well-documented and enduring.

A Pioneer of Steel Guitar and Yodeling

Born on May 6, 1903, in Taylorsville, Kentucky, Carlisle was among the first to bring the Hawaiian steel guitar into country music, helping to shape the genre’s sound in the 1930s. His signature style combined bluesy slide guitar with expressive yodeling, drawing inspiration from artists like Jimmie Rodgers.

He began performing at 16 with his cousin Lillian Truax and later formed a successful duo with guitarist Wilber Ball. The pair toured vaudeville circuits and recorded extensively, including collaborations with Jimmie Rodgers. In the mid-1930s, Carlisle’s younger brother, Bill Carlisle, joined him, and together they became known as The Carlisle Brothers.

Later Life and Legacy

Carlisle retired from performing in the 1950s but experienced a resurgence in the 1960s when The Rooftop Singers covered his song “Tom Cat Blues.” This renewed interest led to reunion performances and recordings with Wilber Ball.

His 1933 recording of “Goin’ Down The Road Feelin’ Bad” was featured in the 2017 video game Getting Over It with Bennett Foddy, introducing his music to new audiences.