[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 169 (Saturday, December 18, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2190]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          LITTLE JIMMY DICKENS

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JIM COOPER

                              of tennessee

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, December 17, 2010

  Mr. COOPER. Madam Speaker, today I rise to honor James Cecil Dickens, 
better known as Little Jimmy Dickens, on the occasion of his 90th 
birthday. He may be a man of diminutive stature, but Little Jimmy the 
renowned entertainer and Grand Ole Opry star, stands taller than the 
rest.
  Jimmy Dickens was the first of thirteen children born to a West 
Virginia farming family and knew from a young age that he wanted to 
write and sing country music. He first appeared on local radio in the 
1940s under the name ``Jimmy the Kid'' where he began building his 
reputation as the master of the country novelty song. Some of his early 
hits include ``Take an Old Cold Tater (And Wait)'' (1949), ``I'm Little 
But I'm Loud'' (1950), ``Country Boy'' (1949), and ``A-Sleeping at the 
Foot of the Bed'' (1950).
  In 1948, Roy Acuff heard Jimmy and invited him to perform on the 
world-famous Grand Ole Opry stage at the Ryman Auditorium. Little Jimmy 
was an immediate favorite not only for his unforgettable songs, but 
also for his flamboyant style and country sense of humor. He became a 
permanent member of the Grand Ole Opry in 1948, and recently celebrated 
his 60th anniversary as the longest-tenured Opry member of all time.
  Little Jimmy was signed to his first major label, Columbia Records, 
the same year he became an Opry Member. It was at that time that 
Dickens formed the band the Country Boys, whose line-up included top-
flight musicians Jabbo Arrington, Grady Martin, Bob Moore, Buddy Emmons 
and Thumbs Carllile. Dickens had a number of hits with the Country 
Boys, though none bigger than ``May the Bird of Paradise Fly Up Your 
Nose'' (1965), which reached number one on the country charts and hit 
the pop charts, as well. Little Jimmy holds the unique distinction of 
having hit records in every decade from the 1940s to the 1970s.
  But Little Jimmy Dickens' music is only part of his story and only 
part of what makes him just as popular today as when he first burst 
onto the country music scene over 60 years ago. He is quick with a joke 
and he is kind-hearted. He always has time for his fans and often 
spends hours signing every last autograph after a show. In an ever-
changing music industry, Little Jimmy is a constant presence and a 
reminder that sometimes nice guys finish first.
  Jimmy has long been adored by his country music colleagues as well, 
whether it be fellow legends like the late Hank Williams (who nicknamed 
Jimmy, ``Tater'') or modern-day superstar, Brad Paisley (who Jimmy 
often performs with). It is this adoration that earned him a spot in 
the Country Music Hall of Fame nearly 30 years ago.
  Jimmy is celebrating his 90th year as anyone who knows him might 
guess he'd celebrate it--by entertaining his fans with good country 
music and humor. He's even worked his age into his act. ``You'll know 
you're 90-years-old,'' Jimmy tells his fans, ``when you drop something, 
bend over to pick it up, and think to yourself, `is there anything else 
I can do while I'm down here? ''
  And so, Madam Speaker, it is my privilege to ask my colleagues to 
join me in saluting Little Jimmy Dickens--an icon, a legend, and a 
global ambassador to country music.

                          ____________________