Cliff Carlisle Blues Yodeler & Steel Guitar Wizard

Cliff Carlisle's choice of recording Blue Yodel No. 6 was a curious one in light of many other Rodgers compositions being available. But Carlisle (1904-1983) was a student of Rodgers' style and repertoire, and he did not shy away from songs just because they were not popular (Blue Yodel No. 6 was not one of the best known of Rodgers' patented blue yodels). The Kentucky-born Carlisle was initially part of a family group that performed on Louisville radio before striking out on his own as a Rodgers imitator. His yodeling was rougher than Rodgers' but his strength was his marvelous work on the steel guitar. On this Gennett recording made in April 1930, Carlisle eschews playing, leaving the accompaniment to his then-partner, Wilbur Ball.