Little Jimmy Dickens
Country Music Hall of Famer and Grand Ole Opry legend Little Jimmy Dickens has passed away at the age of 94. The 4’11” West Virginia native was known for his small stature, big heart, and witty sense of humor. He became a member of the Grand Ole Opry in 1948, and was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1983.
Dickens was an inspiration to many, including fellow West Virginian Brad Paisley. To the younger generation of country music fans, Dickens was known for his cameos in several Paisley music videos, as well as from some of Paisley’s bonus album tracks as part of the “Kung Pao Buckaroos.”
Dickens was the oldest living Opry member, and was a frequent performer on the legendary stage. Outside of the Opry, he enjoyed moderate success as a recording artist from the 1940’s – 1970’s with eight Top 10 hits, including his signature #1 tongue-in-cheek hit “May The Bird Of Paradise Fly Up Your Nose.”
We were fortunate enough to have seen Dickens perform on the Opry stage in 2012…see our photos from the show here.
We will be updating this post as news and tributes are made available. RIP Little Jimmy Dickens!
Country Artist Tributes
Brad Paisley – It is with a heavy heart that I say goodbye to my hero and friend today. I loved you Jimmy.
Photo via Brad Paisley’s Facebook Page
As the sun sets on this planet tonight, for the first time in 94 years it is without my hero, Little Jimmy Dickens.
Why was he my hero? Jimmy made more out of his time in earth than anyone I’ve ever known; an incredible life in every measurable way. Longevity? Yes, practically unheard of. Faith? Totally and wholeheartedly. Humor? There was no one funnier, or with a better sense of it. A true entertainer? The best I’ve ever seen. Charm? Unmatched. Love? This was a big one. I think he loved everyone he ever met, and if not, he never let it be known. More importantly, I think everyone who ever met him loved him instantly…and forever. Romance? He and Mona had the most romantic story I’ve ever heard. Check it out sometime. Friendship? Well I can honestly say he was the best friend any human being could ask for. Bar none.
Much will be said and written about his incredible and unique place in Country Music history. Which could fill a book. But that isn’t how I’ll remember him. I will remember the human being that best check-marked all the boxes of a complete and wonderful life. My hero.
Do not mourn Little Jim. Celebrate him. Relive and share the memories. Aspire to be like him. And above all, laugh at the punchlines, the craziness, and the way he so gracefully made this planet a funnier, better, richer place while he was alive. And in doing so, will continue to for years to come.
Ray Scott – Awwwww… r.i.p. Little Jimmy… so glad to have gotten to know ya at the Opry..
Steve Wariner – So sad to report I lost my good friend Little Jimmy Dickens today. Prayers for Mona and his daughters please.
Charlie Daniels – Rest in Peace, Little Jimmy Dickens
James Otto – So sad. RIP Little Jimmy.
Montgomery Gentry – We are incredibly sad to hear of the passing of our Grand Ole Opry brother Little Jimmy Dickens today. He was absolutely one of a kind and will be truly missed. Our sincerest prayers and thoughts are with his family, friends and Opry family.
Jeff Bates – LITTLE JIMMY DICKENS Tater, you will be missed by so many! Thanks for always being so kind to me and every one else. I’m sure heaven is laughing at one of your jokes right now! Sing one for all of us and hang onto your guitar!
Jimmy Wayne – A legend is gone but will never be forgotten. #LittleJimmyDickens
Randy Houser – Just heard Little Jimmy Dickens passed away. What a life of 94 years. Rest in peace and thank u for being good to us young bucks.
The Grand Ole Opry – We’ve lost a friend, family member & true national treasure. Words cannot express how much we’ll miss @LilJimDickens.
Rodney Atkins – Prayers & love to @LilJimDickens family, friends & fans! A true talent & always welcoming when we played the @Opry! #Legend!
Chris Young – RIP Little Jimmy Dickens… Loved fishing with you, loved your music, and loved you as a person most of all.
Ty Herndon – My condolences to Little Jimmy Dickens family. My prayers go out to them all. He shall be greatly missed.
David Ball – Little Jimmy Dickens has died. Thank you for all the laughter!
John Berry – I was sad to hear of Little Jimmy Dickens passing. I always enjoyed visiting with him at the Opry.
Reba McEntire – Rest in peace Little Jimmy. Thanks for all the smiles, great music and your big loving heart.
John Michael Montgomery – Just found out one of my favorite country music legends “little Jimmy Dickens” has passed. One of the true icons and original grand ol’ opry members, we’ll miss ya ol’ friend, thanks for all the laughs and songs
Diamond Rio – We are so sad today. We have lost our friend and Hero of the Grand Ole Opry Little Jimmy Dickens. We will miss him everytime we walk on the Opry stage. Rest in Peace
J.T. Hodges – Gonna miss this guy a lot, did so much for country music and the Grand Ole Opry miss this guy a lot, did so much for country music and the @opry. Thank you Jimmy for everything, rest my friend…you deserve it.
Katie Armiger – So very sad to hear about the passing of Little Jimmy Dickens. He introduced me on the night of my Grand Ole Opry debut three years ago, and it’s a moment I will forever cherish. RIP, Jimmy.
Darryl Worley – The world and the country music industry lost a true legend today. An extraordinary man who was a true gentleman and an ambassador for country music. My heart is broken. Playing the Opry is always an honor but was even that much more special when his smiling face and kind spirit walked the Opry halls. Rest in Peace, Little Jimmy Dickens.
Sammy Kershaw – We truly lost the legend today. Rest in peace little Jimmy Dickens. Will see you again my friend!
Mark Wills – I’m at the “happiest place on earth” and yet, so Sad. As we celebrate Macey’s birthday, we mourn the loss of Country Music LEGEND & friend Little Jimmy Dickens who has just passed. God bless you Mr Jimmy. We will most definitely miss you!
Heidi Newfield – Little Jimmy Dickens….what a life!!! If we live to see and do HALF the stuff he did while here, we would be lucky….and busy!!! #RIPLJD
Gene Watson – Our good friend Little Jimmy Dickens passed away today. I know you join me in sending heartfelt sympathy to his family. What a loss to country music, to the Grand Ole Opry, to all of us who called him our friend, and to all his fans world wide.
Chely Wright – Rest in peace, Little Jimmy Dickens. I first met him in 1984 when I opened a couple of shows for him. He and Mona were good to me. Xo
Cowboy Troy – Saddened to learn of the passing of Mr. James Dickens, known by his stage name Little Jimmy Dickens. He will be missed.
Mark Chesnutt – I just got a call and was told that Little Jimmie Dickens has passed away. He was truly one of the nicest men I ever met and the funniest. Every time I saw him he would have a joke or a funny story to tell me. RIP Jimmie you will be missed so much.
Charlie Worsham – the original country boy. Willie Nelson after taxes. Mighty Mouse in his pajamas. Tater. legend. RIP Little Jimmy Dickens.
Laura Bell Bundy – Bowing WAY down for the life of this country legend. Had the pleasure of performing at the Opry with him. RIP Little Jimmy Dickens…you will be missed.
Chris Janson – So sad to hear about little Jimmy Dickens passing. He will be deeply missed. This is a picture of my little boy Jesse with him & Pete Fisher side stage at the Opry when we played a few months ago. Grand Ole Opry November 1st 2014
Stella Parton – RIP Little Jimmy Dickens, you will be missed greatly. What a great entertainer and great human being! I am honored that I have had the pleasure to call you a friend and the privilege to work with one great man. You may have been small in stature but you are very large in my eyes. God bless your family during this time.
T. Graham Brown – Go Rest On The Mountain Little Jimmy! Your work on earth is done. Rest in Peace my friend ~ God carried a good one home today ~ Prayers for his family during these times..
Sunny Sweeney – March 2, 2007 is the first time I played the Grand Ole Opry and I had the honor of being introduced on to that stage by none other than Little Jimmy Dickens. It will just never be the same without hearing him warming up his voice before the show. You will be missed, ol pal…
Easton Corbin – Rest in peace Little Jimmy Dickens – the Opry just won’t be the same without you. My thoughts and prayers are with Jimmy’s family at this time.
Buddy Jewell – Goodbye Mr. Dickens, you were my Entertainer of the Year EVERY year.
Trailer Choir – R.I.P Little Jimmy thank you for being a huge part of country music and paving the way for all of us . Those will be the smallest boots that no one will ever be able to fill.
Lady Antebellum – So incredibly sad about the passing of Little Jimmy Dickens. Country music has lost one of its biggest personalities & the Grand Ole Opry stage will never be the same. Prayers for his family!
Rascal Flatts – Little Jimmy, we will miss you forever… Thank you for being a friend, and for inducting us into the greatest circle ever. Rest peacefully… What a sweet, sweet man.
Matt Kennon – RIP Little Jimmy Dickens the Oldest OPRY Member. I had the pleasure of meeting him and talked to him backstage a few years back. He was a sweet man and loved by everyone!! Tater You will be missed!
Nancy Jones – Tater was loved so much by George and I, He will be very missed but I know he will be in good company in heaven.
The Band Perry – Little Jimmy Dickens – the first person to greet us at the @opry for our first performance. Thanks for the memory.
Phil Vassar – Rest In Peace Little Jimmy Dickens.. one of the Legends of Country Music. Always so kind and generous to us. And FUNNY. We will miss you dearly. Thoughts and prayers go out to his family
Thomas Rhett – #RIPLittleJimmyDickens – what an incredible mad and talent. He will be missed.
Little Texas – The few times we’ve played the Opry, we’ve always been there on a night with Little Jimmy Dickens. What a sweet, funny man. My favorite quote was this one on his 88th birthday, “You know you’re 88 when you see a pretty girl in a bikini and your Pacemaker makes the garage door go up.” We always wanted to have a picture made with him, but it always seemed like when we had our photo taken with an older Opry star, they died within a few weeks. Therefore, we would never have our photo taken with Jimmy. We wanted him to last forever. Well, today Jimmy went to his final resting place at the age of 94 and we hope when he got there God gave him the stature to match his big heart and his big ol’ J-200. We’ll miss you, James Cecil Dickens.
Maggie Rose – The @opry won’t be the same without @LilJimDickens. You’ll be missed.
Josh Thompson – Going to miss seeing this legend at the Opry. Rest in peace, Little Jimmy Dickens
Trisha Yearwood – RIP Little Jimmy Dickins. Love to your family. xoxo t
Lee Greenwood – My thoughts & prayers go out to the family of @LilJimDickens! His spirit will live on at the @opry & with all of us who sing country music!
Rhonda Vincent – Little Jimmy Dickens passed away today. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family. Rest On Peace Tater!
Dustin Lynch – Celebrating Little Jimmy Dickens tonight….what an honor spending time and sharing the stage with him
Neal McCoy – Always a Fun time around Jimmy,,, We will miss you a bunch
Rebecca Lynn Howard – So saddened by the news of Little Jimmy’s passing. He was such a sweetie. He introduced me many times onto the Grand Ole Opry stage. This pic was taken years ago before my maw passed. She kept it sitting on a table in her room in the nursing home. #twoangels #RIPLittleJimmy #LittleJimmyDickens
Chuck Wicks – I played the Grand Ole Opry not too long ago.. And Little Jimmy Dickens made me laugh as he always does.. You will be missed. Rest in Peace.
T.G. Sheppard – In my eyes he was the tallest man I’ve ever known. He was small in Stature but a giant to those of us who knew him.
Alan Jackson – We know y’all are “pickin & grinnin” in Heaven tonight. RIP Little Jimmy Dickens.
Craig Morgan – I am sad beyond words having learned about the loss of my friend and mentor Little Jimmy Dickens. He was a great man with the largest of hearts always with a kind word of encouragement. A man who loves his family and friends and his fans. His wonderful stories will forever remain in our hearts and minds. We will miss you good sir