Thumbs Carlisle - Watch This

Walter Stettner · Post by **Walter Stettner** » 4 Oct 2017 9:43 am

Always amazing to see what a unique genius he was:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6hWHLLpce5I

Kind Regards, Walter

Frank Freniere · Post by **Frank Freniere** » 4 Oct 2017 10:37 am

That's a keeper, Walter!

Ian Rae · Post by **Ian Rae** » 4 Oct 2017 12:01 pm

That's extraordinary - I had no idea!

Bill Ferguson · Post by **Bill Ferguson** » 5 Oct 2017 5:43 am

Thumbs was one of the greatest guitar pickers to ever live. Met him and became friends at the ISGC when Buddy Emmons brought him there.

Ironically, when Thumbs passed away, Herby Wallace called to tell me about the funeral arrangements.
Wound up that he lived only 2 miles from my cabinet shop. Whew.
Herby was the only "known" person to attend the funeral and then about 8-9 of us GA boys.
His family was so poor, that his daughter came to the funeral without shoes.

Sad

Chris Bauer · Post by **Chris Bauer** » 5 Oct 2017 11:05 am

And then there's a current 'lap style' master as well...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n7kNkfU0LHs.

(And if you don't know Rory, not only is this the just the tip of his guitar skills but he also plays piano, mandolin, accordion, sax, and harmonica as well.)

Walter Stettner · Post by **Walter Stettner** » 5 Oct 2017 11:41 am

And to add to Rory - consider that he can't see. What an outstanding artist!

Kind Regards, Walter

David Mason · Post by **David Mason** » 10 Oct 2017 2:03 am

Am I right in "seeing" that Thumbs Carlisle played in standard tuning and Rory (A NEW ONE!)* is playing in straight 4ths, like Stanley Jordan, E A D G C F? Gee Whiz, I wonder if they play slide guitar... cackle cackle.

*(Yes my luck is holding... One new genius a week for years now, I don't EVEN have to read about how there's "no good music anymore." Breeding like swamp mosquitoes.)

Earnest Bovine · Post by **Earnest Bovine** » 10 Oct 2017 8:35 am

David Mason wrote:Am I right in "seeing" that Thumbs Carlisle played in standard tuning

No, Thumbs always had a capo on fret 1 and the tuning was an E chord, like the first one you learn on guitar. Without the capo the open tuning would be and E flat chord.

Earnest Bovine · Post by **Earnest Bovine** » 10 Oct 2017 11:17 am

Earnest Bovine wrote: Thumbs always had a capo on fret 1

Actually the capo wasn't always at fret 1. He did move it around from time to time. But I never saw him take it off the guitar.

Larry Lenhart · Post by **Larry Lenhart** » 17 Oct 2017 10:04 pm

First time I ever saw Rory was at the Chet Atkins convention in Nashville sometime in the 90s I believe...his playing is astonishing. BTW he does play the thumb style also like Chet and Merle..then I went downtown to Broadway, walked in one of those joints and there he was sitting with the band tearing it up on accordion ! As stated, he plays a lot of different instruments, all well ! An amazing musician !!

Dennis Olearchik · Post by **Dennis Olearchik** » 28 Oct 2017 8:53 am

The late, great Jeff Healey comes to mind after watching the late, great Thumbs Carlisle. And of course, Rory is just amazing!

Walter Stettner · Post by **Walter Stettner** » 5 Nov 2017 12:51 am

Here's an interview with Rory:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UzRFuOUpOgE&t=190s

Kind Regards, Walter

Roy Thomson · Post by **Roy Thomson** » 13 Nov 2017 12:43 pm

What a great thread. Amazing musicianship!!!
Thanks to all for their input and clips.