Little Jimmy Dickens Marks 60 Years on the Opry
Grand Ole Opry Celebrates One of Country Fans' Favorite Singers
Nov 3, 2008
At 87, Little Jimmy Dickens has been a member of the Grand Ole Opry family since his 1948 induction, where he was first introduced by the late Roy Acuff. The beloved country-music icon, with his trademark rhinestone-studded suits and infectious sense of humor, was joined by country stars Brad Paisley, Trace Adkins and George Jones during the Signature event, which was designed to commemorate his six decades of performing at the historic venue.
Country Music History: Little Jimmy Dickens & the Grand Ole Opry
“Jimmy Dickens is uniquely and forever tied to the Grand Ole Opry,” remarked Pete Fisher, Opry vice president and general manager. “He is one of the most beloved and respected people in the history of not only the Opry, but all of country music, and we are thrilled to celebrate this landmark anniversary with him.”
Recalling his first-ever Opry performance, “I remember now that when I was going to walk out on that stage, I felt like I was in my first talent show,” Dickens has said. “I looked around and saw all these great people like Mr. Acuff standing around to watch what I was going to do. I really got upset and nervous. I guess what I did was accepted because in a month or two they called me back for another appearance."
As for his status as the longest standing member of the Opry, "I never dreamed I'd be there this long, really," he recently said. "It's hard for me to tell you what's going through my mind; I am so excited about it."
Early Studio Recordings and Country Music Hits
Born James Cecil Dickens in West Virginia on Dec. 19, 1920, the diminutive country singer with a big voice and showy style signed with Columbia Records on Sept. 16, 1948, and quickly assumed the “Little Jimmy” moniker because of his 4’ 11” height.
A one-time student at West Virginia University, Dickens—a member of the Country Music Hall of Fame since 1983—recorded several novelty country-music hits for Columbia in the late ‘40s and during the 1950s, including Country Boy, A-Sleeping at the Foot of the Bed, I'm Little But I'm Loud, Out Behind the Barn and Take an Old Cold Tater (And Wait), to name a sampling.
Little Jimmy Dickens Earns Country Radio Airplay & Country Fans
His country radio success came quickly in early 1949, as did legions of country fans. In ’62, aside from making a number of TV appearance, Dickens charted new ground by becoming the first country singer to circle the globe while on tour. It was also during this time that he released his career’s biggest hit, May the Bird of Paradise Fly Up Your Nose, a cut that hit No. 1 on the U.S. country charts and No. 15 on the pop charts.
Dickens left the Columbia label for Decca Record in the late ‘60s, and then moved to United Artists in 1971. He landed songs on the country charts each decade from the time his recording career began through the ‘70s.
Remembering the Ryman Auditorium and Grand Ole Opry Pioneers
Although he can’t imagine ever retiring from the Opry stage, Dickens has said his early Grand Ole Opry days—when its home was still in the historic Ryman Auditorium and he performed alongside country greats such as Acuff, Minnie Pearl and Red Foley—are his most-cherished memories even today.
"We were a family, especially when we were at the old Ryman for many years," he has said of the Opry's original home. "We were limited on space down there and there were no dressing rooms. Everybody came to work in costumes. It was a wonderful time."
Sources
Little Jimmy Dickens celebrates 60 years at Opry, Country Standard Time, Oct. 2, 2008.
Little Jimmy Dickens celebrates 60 years at 'Opry,' The Tennessean, Oct. 29, 2008.
Opry To Honor Little Jimmy Dickens on Nov. 1, Country Music Alive, Oct. 1, 2008. Accessed Nov. 3, 3008, at http://countrymusicalive.blogspot.com/2008/10/opry-to-honor-little-jimmy-dickens-on.html
Little Jimmy Dickens, n.d., Wikipedia entry. Accessed Nov. 3, 2008, at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Little_Jimmy_Dickens
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