Cliff Carlisle

One of the country music’s finest steel guitarists, Cliff Carlisle was also a pioneer of the dobro and a fine yodeller and singer. During the 1920s, he and singer/guitarist Wilbur Ball toured with vaudeville shows, while recording for Gennett Records in 1930. In June 1931, they accompanied Jimmy Rodgers on two recordings in Louisville, and between 1933 and 1936 Carlisle recorded several risqué ballads, including his self-penned "Mouse’s Ear Blues." Carlisle also began to appear with his younger brother Bill Carlisle as the Carlisles, touring extensively throughout the Midwest and recording a slew of sides, including their top ten country hit "Rainbow At Midnight" in 1946. While Cliff ostensibly retired from the music world in 1947, he would return to the stage for sporadic appearances until his death in 1983.