Little Jimmy Dickens
Encyclopedia
James Cecil Dickens 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 has been a member of the Grand Ole Opry
for 60 years and is a member of the Country Music Hall of Fame.
, Dickens, who is related to Charles 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!"
In 1950 he 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 released "The Violet and the Rose," his first top ten single in 12 years. During 1964 he became the first country artist to circle the globe while on tour, and also made numerous TV appearances including The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson. In 1965 he released his biggest hit, "May the Bird of Paradise Fly Up Your Nose
," reaching number one on the country chart and number fifteen on the pop chart.
In the late 1960s he 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.
He 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.
^ "May the Bird of Paradise Fly Up Your Nose" also peaked at #4 on the Canadian RPM
Top Singles Chart.
Country music
Country music is a popular American musical style that began in the rural Southern United States in the 1920s. It takes its roots from Western cowboy and folk music...
singer famous for his humorous novelty songs, his small size, 4'11" (150 cm), and his rhinestone-studded outfits. He has been a member of the Grand Ole Opry
Grand Ole Opry
The Grand Ole Opry is a weekly country music stage concert in Nashville, Tennessee, that has presented the biggest stars of that genre since 1925. It is also among the longest-running broadcasts in history since its beginnings as a one-hour radio "barn dance" on WSM-AM...
for 60 years and is a member of the Country Music Hall of Fame.
Biography
Born in Bolt, West VirginiaWest Virginia
West Virginia is a state in the Appalachian and Southeastern regions of the United States, bordered by Virginia to the southeast, Kentucky to the southwest, Ohio to the northwest, Pennsylvania to the northeast and Maryland to the east...
, Dickens, who is related to Charles Dickens
Charles Dickens
Charles John Huffam Dickens was an English novelist, generally considered the greatest of the Victorian period. Dickens enjoyed a wider popularity and fame than had any previous author during his lifetime, and he remains popular, having been responsible for some of English literature's most iconic...
, began his musical career in the late 1930s, performing on a local radio station while attending West Virginia University
West Virginia University
West Virginia University is a public research university in Morgantown, West Virginia, USA. Other campuses include: West Virginia University at Parkersburg in Parkersburg; West Virginia University Institute of Technology in Montgomery; Potomac State College of West Virginia University in Keyser;...
. 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
Saginaw, Michigan
Saginaw is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan and the seat of Saginaw County. The city of Saginaw was once a thriving lumber town and manufacturing center. Saginaw and Saginaw County lie in the Flint/Tri-Cities region of Michigan...
by Roy Acuff
Roy Acuff
Roy Claxton Acuff was an American country music singer, fiddler, and promoter. Known as the King of Country Music, Acuff is often credited with moving the genre from its early string band and "hoedown" format to the star singer-based format that helped make it internationally successful.Acuff...
, who introduced him to Art Satherly
Art Satherly
Art Satherly - actually Spelt SATHERLEY - still has family in Bristol, Somerset and South Wales, United Kingdom. was a record producer and A&R man, who was born in England but spent most of his career in the United States.Satherley moved to Wisconsin in the 1910s, and took a job in the 1920s as a...
at Columbia Records
Columbia Records
Columbia Records is an American record label, owned by Japan's Sony Music Entertainment, operating under the Columbia Music Group with Aware Records. It was founded in 1888, evolving from an earlier enterprise, the American Graphophone Company — successor to the Volta Graphophone Company...
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'
Hey Good Lookin' (song)
"Hey Good Lookin" is a 1951 song written and recorded by Hank Williams, and his version was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2001. Since its original 1951 recording it has been covered by a variety of artists.-Chart performance:...
" 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!"
In 1950 he formed the Country Boys with musicians Jabbo Arrington, Grady Martin
Grady Martin
Thomas Grady Martin was one of the most renowned, inventive and historically significant American session musicians in country music and rockabilly....
, Bob Moore
Bob Moore
Bob Loyce Moore is an American session musician, orchestra leader, and bassist who was a member of the legendary Nashville A-Team during the 1950s and 60s.-Biography:...
and Thumbs Carllile and. It was during this time that he discovered future Hall of Famer Marty Robbins
Marty Robbins
Martin David Robinson , known professionally as Marty Robbins, was an American singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist...
at a Phoenix, Arizona
Phoenix, Arizona
Phoenix is the capital, and largest city, of the U.S. state of Arizona, as well as the sixth most populated city in the United States. Phoenix is home to 1,445,632 people according to the official 2010 U.S. Census Bureau data...
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 released "The Violet and the Rose," his first top ten single in 12 years. During 1964 he became the first country artist to circle the globe while on tour, and also made numerous TV appearances including The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson. In 1965 he released his biggest hit, "May the Bird of Paradise Fly Up Your Nose
May the Bird of Paradise Fly Up Your Nose
"May the Bird of Paradise Fly Up Your Nose" is a 1965 novelty song by Little Jimmy Dickens. The single was Dickens's most successful single on the U.S. country music chart. "May the Bird of Paradise Fly Up Your Nose" went to number one for two weeks and stayed on the chart for a total of eighteen...
," reaching number one on the country chart and number fifteen on the pop chart.
In the late 1960s he left Columbia for Decca Records
Decca Records
Decca Records began as a British record label established in 1929 by Edward Lewis. Its U.S. label was established in late 1934; however, owing to World War II, the link with the British company was broken for several decades....
, before moving again to United Artists
United Artists
United Artists Corporation is an American film studio. The original studio of that name was founded in 1919 by D. W. Griffith, Charles Chaplin, Mary Pickford and Douglas Fairbanks....
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.
He joined producers Randall Franks
Randall Franks
Randall Franks is an award-winning bluegrass singer and musician who plays fiddle, mandolin, guitar and mountain dulcimer. He was recognized by the International Bluegrass Music Museum in 2010 as a Bluegrass Legend; inducted into the Atlanta Country Music Hall of Fame in 2004; and was designated...
and Alan Autry
Alan Autry
Carlos Alan Autry is an American actor, politician, and former National Football League football player. He is best known for his role as Captain Bubba Skinner on the television series In the Heat of the Night; he also has been in numerous movies and other television shows...
for the In the Heat of the Night
In the Heat of the Night (TV series)
In the Heat of the Night is a television series based on the motion picture and novel of the same name. It was broadcast on NBC from 1988 until 1992, and then on CBS until 1995...
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
Brad Paisley
Brad Douglas Paisley is an American singer-songwriter and musician. His style crosses between traditional country music and Southern rock, and his songs are frequently laced with humor and pop culture references....
. He has also been featured on several of Paisley's albums in bonus comedy tracks along with other Opry mainstays such as George Jones
George Jones
George Glenn Jones is an American country music singer known for his long list of hit records, his distinctive voice and phrasing, and his marriage to Tammy Wynette....
and Bill Anderson
Bill Anderson (country music)
James William Anderson III , better known as Bill Anderson, is an American country music singer, songwriter and television personality. He has released more than 40 studio albums and has reached No...
. They are collectively referred to as the Kung-Pao Buckaroos.
With the passing of Hank Locklin
Hank Locklin
Lawrence Hankins Locklin , better known as Hank Locklin, was an American country music singer-songwriter...
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
Willie Nelson
Willie Hugh Nelson is an American country music singer-songwriter, as well as an author, poet, actor, and activist. The critical success of the album Shotgun Willie , combined with the critical and commercial success of Red Headed Stranger and Stardust , made Nelson one of the most recognized...
after taxes
The IRS Tapes: Who'll Buy My Memories?
The IRS Tapes: Who'll Buy My Memories? is an album by American country and western singer Willie Nelson. This album was made to help Nelson pay off his IRS debts...
." At the 2011 CMA Awards, Jimmy was dressed up as Justin Bieber
Justin Bieber
Justin Drew Bieber is a Canadian pop/R&B singer, songwriter and actor. Bieber was discovered in 2008 by Scooter Braun, who came across Bieber's videos on YouTube and later became his manager...
, and made fun of Bieber's recent paternity scandal.
Studio albums
| Year | Album details | Chart positions |
|---|---|---|
| US Country | ||
| 1954 | Old Country Church
|
— |
| 1960 | Big Songs by Little Jimmy Dickens
|
— |
| 1962 | Little Jimmy Dickens Sings Out Behind the Barn
|
— |
| 1965 | Handle with Care
|
— |
| May the Bird of Paradise Fly Up Your Nose
|
4 | |
| 1968 | Big Man in Country Music
|
— |
| Little Jimmy Dickens Sings
Decca Records Decca Records began as a British record label established in 1929 by Edward Lewis. Its U.S. label was established in late 1934; however, owing to World War II, the link with the British company was broken for several decades.... |
— | |
| 1969 | Jimmy Dickens Comes Callin'
|
— |
| "—" denotes releases that did not chart. | ||
Compilation albums
| Year | Album details | Chart positions |
|---|---|---|
| US Country | ||
| 1957 | Raisin' the Dickens
|
— |
| 1966 | Little Jimmy Dickens' Greatest Hits
|
39 |
| 1969 | Greatest Hits
|
— |
| 1976 | Hymns of the Hour
|
— |
| 1983 | Historic Edition
|
— |
| "—" denotes releases that did not chart. | ||
Singles
| Year | Song | Peak positions | Album | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US Country Hot Country Songs Hot Country Songs is a chart published weekly by Billboard magazine in the United States.This 60-position chart lists the most popular country music songs, calculated weekly mostly by airplay and occasionally commercial sales... |
US Billboard Hot 100 The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday... |
|||
| 1949 | "Take an Old Cold 'Tater (And Wait)" | 7 | — | Raisin' the Dickens |
| "Country Boy" | 7 | — | ||
| "My Heart's Bouquet" | 10 | — | Big Songs by Little Jimmy Dickens | |
| "A-Sleeping at the Foot of the Bed" | 6 | — | Raisin' the Dickens | |
| 1950 | "A Rose From Bride's Bouquet" | — | — | non-album singles |
| "Hillbilly Fever" | 3 | — | ||
| "F-o-o-l-i-sh Me" | — | — | ||
| "Walk Chicken, Walk" | — | — | ||
| "Out of Business" | — | — | ||
| "I'm Little, But I'm Loud" | — | — | Raisin' the Dickens | |
| 1951 | "Cold Feet" | — | — | non-album singles |
| "What About You" | — | — | ||
| "Sign of the Highway" | — | — | ||
| "Poor Little Darlin'" | — | — | ||
| "Old Rugged Cross" (with the Johnson Family Singers) | — | — | ||
| 1952 | "They Locked God Outside the Iron Curtain" | — | — | |
| "Lola Lee" | — | — | ||
| "Hot Diggity Dog" | — | — | ||
| "Waitress, Waitress" | — | — | ||
| "Take Up Thy' Cross" | — | — | Old Country Church | |
| "No Tears in Heaven" | — | — | ||
| "Wedding Bell Waltz" | — | — | non-album single | |
| 1953 | "I Shall Not Be Moved" | — | — | Old Country Church |
| "Sidemeat and Cabbage" | — | — | non-album singles | |
| "I'm Making Love to a Stranger" | — | — | ||
| "Thick and Thin" | — | — | ||
| "No Place Like Home on Christmas" | — | — | ||
| 1954 | "That Little Old Country Church House" | — | — | Old Country Church |
| "Y'All Come Home" | — | — | non-album singles | |
| "You Better Not Do That" | — | — | ||
| "Out Behind the Barn" | 9 | — | Raisin' the Dickens | |
| "Blackeyed Joe's" | — | — | non-album singles | |
| "Stinky Pass That Hat Around" | — | — | ||
| 1955 | "Salty Boogie" | — | — | |
| "We Could" | — | — | ||
| "I'm Braver Now" | — | — | ||
| 1956 | "Hey Worm (You Wanna Wiggle)" | — | — | |
| "Big Sandy" | — | — | ||
| "Country Boy Bounce" (with The Country Boys) | — | — | ||
| "Cornbread and Buttermilk" | — | — | ||
| "Say It Now" | — | — | ||
| "Raisin' the Dickens" (with The Country Boys) | — | — | ||
| 1957 | "I Never Had the Blues" | — | — | |
| "Makin' the Rounds" | — | — | ||
| "Family Reunion" | — | — | ||
| 1958 | "(I Got a) Hole in My Pocket" | — | — | |
| 1959 | "When Your House Is Not a Home" | — | — | |
| "Hannah" | — | — | ||
| "Hey Ma (Hide the Daughter)" | — | — | ||
| 1960 | "We Lived It Up" | — | — | |
| "Fireball Mail" | — | — | Big Songs by Little Jimmy Dickens | |
| 1961 | "Talking to the Wall" | — | — | non-album single |
| 1962 | "Twenty Cigarettes" | — | — | Out Behind the Barn |
| "The Violet and the Rose" | 10 | — | ||
| "Police, Police" | — | — | non-album single | |
| 1963 | "Another Bridge to Burn" | 28 | — | Handle with Care' |
| 1964 | "I Leaned Over Backwards for You" | — | — | |
| "Is Goodbye That Easy to Say" | — | — | ||
| 1965 | "He Stands Real Tall" | 21 | — | |
| "May the Bird of Paradise Fly Up Your Nose May the Bird of Paradise Fly Up Your Nose "May the Bird of Paradise Fly Up Your Nose" is a 1965 novelty song by Little Jimmy Dickens. The single was Dickens's most successful single on the U.S. country music chart. "May the Bird of Paradise Fly Up Your Nose" went to number one for two weeks and stayed on the chart for a total of eighteen... "[A] |
1 | 15 | May the Bird of Paradise Fly Up Your Nose | |
| 1966 | "When the Ship Hit the Sand" | 27 | 103 | Greatest Hits |
| "Who Licked the Red Off Your Candy" | 41 | — | Big Man in Country Music | |
| "Where the Buffalo Trud" | — | — | ||
| 1967 | "Country Music Lover" | 23 | — | |
| "Johnny Needs a G-String (For Her Old Guitar)" | — | — | ||
| "Daddy and the Wine" | — | — | Little Jimmy Dickens Sings | |
| 1968 | "I Love Lucy Brown" | — | — | |
| "How to Catch an African Skeeter Alive" | 69 | — | Little Jimmy Dickens Comes Callin | |
| "Someday You'll Call My Name" | — | — | ||
| "When You're Seventeen" | 55 | — | Greatest Hits (1966) | |
| 1969 | "Times Are Gonna Get Better" | — | — | non-album singles |
| 1970 | "(You've Been Quite a Doll) Raggedy Ann" | 75 | — | |
| "Everyday Family Man" | 70 | — | ||
| 1971 | "Here It Comes Again" | — | — | |
| "You Only Want Me for My Body" | — | — | ||
| 1972 | "Try It, You'll Like It" | 61 | — | |
| "Alabam" | — | — | ||
| 1973 | "Dear Skunk" | — | — | |
| 1976 | "Preacherman" | — | — | |
| 197? | "How much is that picture of Jesus" | — | — | |
| "—" denotes releases that did not chart. | ||||
^ "May the Bird of Paradise Fly Up Your Nose" also peaked at #4 on the Canadian RPM
RPM (magazine)
RPM was a Canadian music industry publication that featured song and album charts for Canada. The publication was founded by Walt Grealis in February 1964, supported through its existence by record label owner Stan Klees. RPM ceased publication in November 2000.RPM stood for "Records, Promotion,...
Top Singles Chart.
B-sides
| Year | Song | Peak positions | A-Side Single |
|---|---|---|---|
| US Country | |||
| 1949 | "Pennies for Papa" | 12 | "Take an Old Cold 'Tater (And Wait)" |
External links
- Watch Little Jimmy Dickens, "Hannah", on Ozark JubileeOzark JubileeOzark Jubilee is the first U.S. network television program to feature country music's top stars, and was the centerpiece of a strategy for Springfield, Missouri to challenge Nashville, Tennessee as America's country music capital...
, August 1, 1959 (Flash player) - Dickens in the Country Music Hall of Fame
- Grand Ole Opry member
- [ Allmusic]
- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kYfEc0dimFA&feature=player_embedded