Bill Carlisle, 94; Singer-Guitarist Was Opry’s Oldest Performer

Bill Carlisle, 94, a veteran performer on the Grand Ole Opry whose trademark was leaping into the air while performing, died Monday in Nashville from complications of a stroke.

A singer-guitarist, Carlisle was the oldest performer on the 78-year-old country music show. He quit performing last month.

He was inducted in November into the Country Music Hall of Fame.

Carlisle, a native of Wakefield, Ky., began singing professionally with his brother Cliff in the 1930s.

Cliff retired from the act in 1947 and Bill formed his own group, the Carlisles.

The Carlisles’ hit records include “No Help Wanted,” “Is Zat You, Myrtle?” “What Kinda Deal Is This?” and “Too Old to Cut the Mustard.” Carlisle also wrote the hymn “Gone Home.”

In his later years, Carlisle would walk onto the Opry stage with the aid of a walker, perform, and then hoist it over his shoulder and walk proudly off on his own as the audience cheered.