Little Jimmy Dickens dies at 94

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Little Jimmy Dickens dies at 94

Postby radiofan » Sat Jan 03, 2015 1:19 pm

Little Jimmy Dickens, Oldest Opry Member, Dies at 94
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Jan 2, 2015, 8:15 PM ET


Little Jimmy Dickens, a diminutive singer-songwriter known for his sense of humor and as the oldest cast member of the Grand Ole Opry, has died. He was 94.

Dickens died Friday at a Nashville-area hospital of cardiac arrest after suffering a stroke on Christmas Day, Opry spokeswoman Jessie Schmidt said.

Dickens, who stood 4-foot-11, had performed on the Opry almost continuously since 1948. His last performance was Dec. 20 as part of his birthday celebration. He sang "Out Behind The Barn" and delivered his trademark comedy. He had turned 94 a day earlier.

"The Grand Ole Opry did not have a better friend than Little Jimmy Dickens," said Pete Fisher, Opry vice president and general manager. "He loved the audience and his Opry family, and all of us loved him back. He was a one-of-kind entertainer and a great soul whose spirit will live on for years to come."

Country legend Hank Williams Sr. nicknamed him "Tater" based on Dickens' song "Take an Old Cold Tater (And Wait)."

His novelty songs, including his biggest hit "May the Bird of Paradise Fly Up Your Nose" about good and bad luck, earned him a spot in the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1983.

It crossed over from a country hit to become a hit on the pop charts ? a rarity in those days ? with its rollicking chorus: "May the bird of paradise fly up your nose; May an elephant caress you with its toes; May your wife be plagued with runners in her hose; May the bird of paradise fly up your nose."

Read the full story here: http://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/wir ... 4-27970694
Those who danced were thought to be quite insane by those who couldn't hear the music.
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