Little Jimmy Dickens
James Cecil Dickens (born December 19, 1920 - January 2, 2015), better know… Read Full Bio ↴James Cecil Dickens (born December 19, 1920 - January 2, 2015), better known as Little Jimmy Dickens, is an American country music singer famous for his humorous novelty songs, his small size, 4'11" (150 cm), and his rhinestone-studded outfits. He started as a member of the Grand Ole Opry in 1948 and became a member of the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1983.
Born in Bolt, West Virginia, Dickens began his musical career in the late 1930s, performing on a local radio station while attending West Virginia University. He soon quit school to pursue a full-time music career, and travelled the country performing on various local radio stations under the name "Jimmy the Kid."
In 1948, Dickens was heard performing on a radio station in Saginaw, Michigan by Roy Acuff, who introduced him to Art Satherly at Columbia Records and officials from the Grand Ole Opry. Dickens signed with Columbia in September and joined the Opry in August. Around this time he began using the nickname, Little Jimmy Dickens, inspired by his short stature.
Dickens recorded many novelty songs for Columbia, including "Country Boy," "A-Sleeping at the Foot of the Bed" and "I'm Little But I'm Loud." His song "Take an Old Cold Tater (And Wait)" inspired Hank Williams to nickname him "Tater". Later, telling Jimmy he needed a hit, Williams penned "Hey Good Lookin'" specifically for Dickens in only 20 minutes while on a Grand Ole Opry tour bus. A week later Williams cut the song himself, jokingly telling him, "That song's too good for you!"
Dickens in 1955.
In 1950 Dickens formed the Country Boys with musicians Jabbo Arrington, Grady Martin, Bob Moore and Thumbs Carllile and. It was during this time that he discovered future Hall of Famer Marty Robbins at a Phoenix, Arizona television station while on tour with Grand Ole Opry road show. In 1957 Dickens left the Grand Ole Opry to tour with the Philip Morris Country Music Show.
In 1962 Dickens scored his first top-10 country hit since 1954 with "The Violet and the Rose".
In 1964 Dickens became the first country artist to circle the globe while on tour, and also made numerous TV appearances including The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson. In 1965 he released his biggest hit, "May the Bird of Paradise Fly Up Your Nose," reaching No. 1 on the country chart and No. 15 on the pop chart.
In the late 1960s Dickens left Columbia for Decca Records, before moving again to United Artists in 1971. That same year he married his wife, Mona, and in 1975 he returned to the Grand Ole Opry. In 1983 Dickens was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame.
Dickens joined producers Randall Franks and Alan Autry for the In the Heat of the Night cast CD “Christmas Time’s A Comin’” performing "Jingle Bells" with the cast on the CD released on Sonlite and MGM/UA for one of the most popular Christmas releases of 1991 and 1992 with Southern retailers.
Recently Dickens has made appearances in a number of music videos by fellow country musician and West Virginia native Brad Paisley. He has also been featured on several of Paisley's albums in bonus comedy tracks along with other Opry mainstays such as George Jones and Bill Anderson. They are collectively referred to as the Kung-Pao Buckaroos.
With the passing of Hank Locklin in March 2009, Dickens became the oldest living member of the Grand Ole Opry at the age of 90. He still makes regular appearances as a host at the Opry, often with the self-deprecating joke that he is also known as "Willie Nelson after taxes." At the 2011 CMA Awards, Jimmy was dressed up as Justin Bieber, and made fun of Bieber's recent paternity scandal.
Born in Bolt, West Virginia, Dickens began his musical career in the late 1930s, performing on a local radio station while attending West Virginia University. He soon quit school to pursue a full-time music career, and travelled the country performing on various local radio stations under the name "Jimmy the Kid."
In 1948, Dickens was heard performing on a radio station in Saginaw, Michigan by Roy Acuff, who introduced him to Art Satherly at Columbia Records and officials from the Grand Ole Opry. Dickens signed with Columbia in September and joined the Opry in August. Around this time he began using the nickname, Little Jimmy Dickens, inspired by his short stature.
Dickens recorded many novelty songs for Columbia, including "Country Boy," "A-Sleeping at the Foot of the Bed" and "I'm Little But I'm Loud." His song "Take an Old Cold Tater (And Wait)" inspired Hank Williams to nickname him "Tater". Later, telling Jimmy he needed a hit, Williams penned "Hey Good Lookin'" specifically for Dickens in only 20 minutes while on a Grand Ole Opry tour bus. A week later Williams cut the song himself, jokingly telling him, "That song's too good for you!"
Dickens in 1955.
In 1950 Dickens formed the Country Boys with musicians Jabbo Arrington, Grady Martin, Bob Moore and Thumbs Carllile and. It was during this time that he discovered future Hall of Famer Marty Robbins at a Phoenix, Arizona television station while on tour with Grand Ole Opry road show. In 1957 Dickens left the Grand Ole Opry to tour with the Philip Morris Country Music Show.
In 1962 Dickens scored his first top-10 country hit since 1954 with "The Violet and the Rose".
In 1964 Dickens became the first country artist to circle the globe while on tour, and also made numerous TV appearances including The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson. In 1965 he released his biggest hit, "May the Bird of Paradise Fly Up Your Nose," reaching No. 1 on the country chart and No. 15 on the pop chart.
In the late 1960s Dickens left Columbia for Decca Records, before moving again to United Artists in 1971. That same year he married his wife, Mona, and in 1975 he returned to the Grand Ole Opry. In 1983 Dickens was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame.
Dickens joined producers Randall Franks and Alan Autry for the In the Heat of the Night cast CD “Christmas Time’s A Comin’” performing "Jingle Bells" with the cast on the CD released on Sonlite and MGM/UA for one of the most popular Christmas releases of 1991 and 1992 with Southern retailers.
Recently Dickens has made appearances in a number of music videos by fellow country musician and West Virginia native Brad Paisley. He has also been featured on several of Paisley's albums in bonus comedy tracks along with other Opry mainstays such as George Jones and Bill Anderson. They are collectively referred to as the Kung-Pao Buckaroos.
With the passing of Hank Locklin in March 2009, Dickens became the oldest living member of the Grand Ole Opry at the age of 90. He still makes regular appearances as a host at the Opry, often with the self-deprecating joke that he is also known as "Willie Nelson after taxes." At the 2011 CMA Awards, Jimmy was dressed up as Justin Bieber, and made fun of Bieber's recent paternity scandal.
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Little Jimmy Dickens Lyrics
A Petal from a Faded Rose Here's a rose from the garden where the bloom of…
A Sleepin' At The Foot Of The Bed Did you ever sleep at the foot of the bed…
Another Bridge To Burn I′ve had to burn most every bridge i've crossed, It seems…
Before I Met You I thought I had seen pretty girls in my time…
Country Boy Now, I'm just a simple guy But there's one thing sure…
Country Music Lover Oh, I really thought that I had learned to love…
Hillbilly Fever When you walk up to a jukebox and you slip…
I My little pea-patch sweetheart, you're cute as pumpkin seed …
I Can't Help It Today I passed you on the street And my heart fell…
I Got A Hole in My Pocket I got a hole in my pocket and I can't…
I'll Be Back A-Sunday My little pea-patch sweetheart, you're cute as pumpkin seed …
I'm Little But I'm Loud A lot of folks have told me I was pulled 'fore…
It May Be Silly I used to think that making love qas foolish as…
John Henry John Henry was a little bitty boy sittin' on his…
Just When I Needed You Just when I needed you, you left and went away You…
Life Turned Her That Way If she seems cold and bitter, I beg of you Just…
May the Bird of Paradise One fine day as I was a-walkin' down the street Spied…
My Heart's Bouquet I was just a very young fellow when I found…
Out Behind The Barn My pappy used to tan my hide Out behind the barn He…
Out Of Business Chorus: Sorry I'm out of business I'm not at your service an…
Pennies for Papa "Pennies for papa", the little boy cried "We have no place…
Salty Boogie Well, the crop's all in and the work's all done…
Sleeping At the Foot of the Bed Did you ever sleep at the foot of the bed…
Slowly Slowly I′m falling more in love with you Slowly you're winni…
The Best Years of Your Life You say your heart is broken that my love was…
The Old Country Preacher There's a place near to me, where I'm longing to…
This World is Not My Home This world is not my home I'm just a passing…
Violet and a Rose A violet fell in love with a rose And started it…
We Could If any one could find the joy that true love brings…
When A House Is Not A Home When Your House Is Not a Home (Roger Miller) I walk up…
When the Ship Hit the Sand Oh! my wife and I went on an ocean cruise Three…
When Your House Is Not A Home When Your House Is Not a Home (Roger Miller) I walk up…