Used with permission of CMA Closeup News Service
By Rick Kelly
Webster's Dictionary defines the word "icon" as: 1) an image or representation; 2) an important or enduring symbol.
While American popular culture is rich in icons, from Marilyn Monroe to James Dean to Albert Einstein, very few represent an institution as effectively as Little Jimmy Dickens represents the Grand Ole Opry. It is nearly impossible to conjure an image of the Opry without seeing the diminutive Dickens in his sparkling rhinestone suits and Stetson cowboy hat, dwarfed by his enormous Gibson J-200 guitar.
He was born James Cecil Dickens in 1920 in the town of Bolt, W.Va., the oldest of 12 children. Dickens started his career in Country Music playing live on WJLS/W.Va. radio in the late 1930s. His involvement in Country radio lasted more than a decade, and included stints in Indianapolis, Cincinnati, Topeka, Kan. and Saginaw, Mich. In Cincinnati in 1945, Dickens met Opry star Roy Acuff and appeared as a guest at Acuff's concert. The two singers became friends, and in 1947, when Dickens was working at WKMX/Saginaw, Acuff's tour came through town and Dickens filled the opening slot. Acuff told Dickens that Saginaw was far too harsh a climate and promised to help his friend find work in Nashville's milder environment.
Dickens came to Nashville as a guest on the Red Foley show. He returned to WKMX, but was asked by Acuff to come back to Nashville and stay. Dickens spent the next six months making guest appearances on Acuff's portion of the Opry and in 1948 he was inducted as an Opry member.
In 1949, Dickens signed with Columbia Records who released his first single, "Take an Old Cold Tater (and Wait)." Dickens recording career spanned more than two decades and several record labels, including Decca and United Artists. He was primarily known for his humorous, novelty songs. Memorable titles include "I'm Little but I'm Loud," "A-sleepin' at the Foot of the Bed," and his only career No. 1, the 1965 hit "May the Bird of Paradise Fly Up Your Nose." The popularity of these humorous songs sometimes overshadowed Dickens' artful performances on ballads "Life Made Her That Way" and "A Violet and a Rose."
In addition to his Opry performances, Dickens maintained a grueling tour schedule in the 1950s and 1960s, playing as many as four shows a day at theaters throughout the country. His band was one of the best in Country Music and at various times included legendary musicians including Grady Moore, "Spider" Wilson and steel guitar pioneer Buddy Emmons.
Country Music Hall of Fame member Dickens currently concentrates on his Opry performances, but continues to perform in casinos and theaters each year.
Asked to list a few of the highlights of his long career, Dickens doesn't hesitate to answer, "Three trips to Vietnam and thirteen trips to Europe. All to entertain our troops."
Dickens also remembers with fondness the package tours with Acuff, Bill Monroe and Hank Williams. He was profoundly influenced by the time he spent in the company of these legendary artists and the lessons of professionalism and showmanship that he learned from them. He was close friends with Williams, who used the title of Dickens' debut single to give him the nickname "Tater" that is emblazoned on his rhinestone encrusted guitar strap to this day.
"I was as close to Hank as anyone. He was moody, but was usually fun to be around. I used to visit him at his house a lot," Dickens said.
On the road, Williams would "peek out from behind the curtain at the audience and say 'Tater, I drew you a good crowd, now go out there and entertain 'em.'"
