Thumbs tuned his guitar in straight E. While in Germany our little band consisted of me on a generic six string steel guitar tuned in C6 a German on guitar and another on fiddle. In walks Thumbs and he took over my steel and re-tuned it in straight E. Of course he did a bang up job. On Saturday nights there was different groups who went on stage at a government entertainment building. It was called the USURA Grand Ole Opry. We called our group "The Wiesbaden Playboys" We were paid $5 if memory serves me right. Thumbs was using a Bigsby but he was constantly trying to get it perfectly in tune. I believe we were being broadcast on military radio AM, 100,000 watts
I got to play with Thumbs in Gillette, Wyoming back in 1976? At a place called the Gay 90's and then at the Rusty Nail. He was an amazing guitarist, and was also hilarious. After playing one night they were kicking everyone out of the bar, which was in a basement. One drunk got to the top of the stairs and lost his balance, falling down the stairs and onto the dance floor, Thumbs looked up and said I've seen people thown out of a bar, never seen them throw someone into one!
I saw Thumbs play at a small club in LA in early '80s. Impressed the heck out of me. We chatted for a long time after the gig and he didn't get annoyed by all my questions. Came across as a genuine nice guy. Several years later in Sacramento, saw a young man performing like Thumbs. Said he used to play with him a lot and that he'd just recently passed away. Don't recall his name; if anyone knows who that might be, leave a note.
@JosephKuby You should check out blues player extraordinaire, Jeff Healey. Blind from birth, he played guitar just like this. A lot younger and Canadian born. He couldn't have seen Thumbs play.
I was friends with thumbs as well as his long time playing buddy.. buddy emmons. I am from chattanooga as was thumbs... He was the best I have ever seen play... I miss him. ps his name is spelled Carlisle
I was told that Thumbs was playing nothing special and from another room they were hearing someone on a guitar matching Thumbs note for note. It turned out a Sargent was the mysterious other guitarist The "Gong Show" was the last time I saw Thumbs perform. He was there to accompany his daughter while she sang. I guess she was Jinny Boyls daughter. .
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Gosh this brings back so many memories of coming in from playing, and daddy setting in the den doing those runs. Thank you for this video.
Thumbs tuned his guitar in straight E. While in Germany our little band consisted of me on a generic six string steel guitar tuned in C6 a German on guitar and another on fiddle. In walks Thumbs and he took over my steel and re-tuned it in straight E. Of course he did a bang up job.
On Saturday nights there was different groups who went on stage at a government entertainment building. It was called the USURA Grand Ole Opry. We called our group "The Wiesbaden Playboys" We were paid $5 if memory serves me right.
Thumbs was using a Bigsby but he was constantly trying to get it perfectly in tune.
I believe we were being broadcast on military radio AM, 100,000 watts
I got to play with Thumbs in Gillette, Wyoming back in 1976? At a place called the Gay 90's and then at the Rusty Nail. He was an amazing guitarist, and was also hilarious. After playing one night they were kicking everyone out of the bar, which was in a basement. One drunk got to the top of the stairs and lost his balance, falling down the stairs and onto the dance floor, Thumbs looked up and said I've seen people thown out of a bar, never seen them throw someone into one!
Hey this is Thumbs daughter Tammy. Your comment made me laugh, loved his humor.
I saw Thumbs play at a small club in LA in early '80s. Impressed the heck out of me. We chatted for a long time after the gig and he didn't get annoyed by all my questions. Came across as a genuine nice guy.
Several years later in Sacramento, saw a young man performing like Thumbs. Said he used to play with him a lot and that he'd just recently passed away. Don't recall his name; if anyone knows who that might be, leave a note.
Amazing! Danny Gatton was one of his fans, they both worked with Roger Miller.
He's playing in Eb tuning, (like E tuning), capoed on the 2nd fret. I noticed that when we picked together at a Namm show...he's the best!
1st heard of him last night.
@JosephKuby You should check out blues player extraordinaire, Jeff Healey. Blind from birth, he played guitar just like this. A lot younger and Canadian born. He couldn't have seen Thumbs play.
I was friends with thumbs as well as his long time playing buddy.. buddy emmons. I am from chattanooga as was thumbs... He was the best I have ever seen play... I miss him.
ps his name is spelled Carlisle
@smick714
It's spelled Carllile on all the records I have.
Maybe you're thinking of Kitty Carlisle. :-)
Top stuff! I've got Springfield Guitar Social on vinyl and I'll put it on (if it's not here already).
Zither musicians play similar to this. "The third man theme" was used in the movie by the same title. Orson wells played in this movie.
+Alwey Wong Watching Anton Karas play the zither in the intro to the movie is true artistry. It's like one man playing two instruments.
It's on already.....
i play just like this guy... have been for 20 years. Check out my youtube channel/videos
I was told that Thumbs was playing nothing special and from another room they were hearing someone on a guitar matching Thumbs note for note. It turned out a Sargent was the mysterious other guitarist
The "Gong Show" was the last time I saw Thumbs perform. He was there to accompany his daughter while she sang. I guess she was Jinny Boyls daughter. .
What kind of tuning did he use? Anybody know?
I wish my brain did that.