Kenneth Carllile
Thumbs Carllile | |
|---|---|
Carllile in 1950 | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Kenneth Ray Carllile |
| Also known as | Thumbs Carllile, Thumbs Carlisle |
| Born | April 2, 1931 St. Louis, Missouri, U.S. |
| Died | July 31, 1987 (aged 56) Decatur, Georgia, U.S. |
| Genres | country music |
| Occupation(s) | guitarist, session musician |
| Instrument | guitar |
| Years active | 1941–1987 |
| Labels | Epic Smash Gemini (1974) |
Kenneth Ray Carllile (April 2, 1931 – July 31, 1987), better known as Thumbs Carllile (Carlisle in some collections), was an American country music guitarist and songwriter known for his innovative zither-like fingerstyle playing, sitting with his guitar in his lap while fretting, picking and strumming with his fingers and thumbs. He performed with Little Jimmy Dickens at the Grand Ole Opry in the early 1950s, and was a member of Roger Miller's band from 1964 to 1972.