Little Jimmy Dickens: A Bigger-Than-Life Icon
By Lane Vaughn
Proof that the best things come in small packages, the Opry’s greatest treasure stood four feet, eleven inches tall. On March 21, we honor the enormous legacy of Little Jimmy Dickens, whose influence towers over country music still. Joining the lineup are Opry members Brad Paisley, Trace Adkins, Bill Anderson, The Oak Ridge Boys, and The Gatlin Brothers, along with 49 Winchester.
Jimmy spent an impressive 64 years as an Opry member. An ever-faithful ambassador and master-of-ceremonies, he often welcomed new faces and marked milestones—forming strong personal connections with performers throughout the years.
Before they take the stage in tribute, we’re looking back at some of Little Jimmy’s most memorable Opry moments—many featuring the artists who will help celebrate him on March 21.
1. Little Jimmy Becomes an Opry Member.
A West Virginia native, Jimmy got his start on local radio, where his big voice and funny songs captured Roy Acuff’s attention. Roy invited him to perform on the Opry in 1947; the next year, Jimmy officially joined the cast. His novelty tunes (one earning him the nickname “Tater” from Hank Williams) perfectly represented the blend of talent, storytelling, and humor that defined the Opry’s early eras.
2. Little Jimmy Wears the First Nudie Suit on the Opry.
Putting the blazer in trailblazer, Little Jimmy became the first artist to wear a suit designed by Hollywood tailor Nudie Cohn on the Grand Ole Opry.
With colorful embroidery, rhinestones, and unmistakable flair, Nudie suits brought a new level of sparkle and showmanship to country music. Soon they became a signature look for stars like Porter Wagoner and Johnny Cash.
3. Little Jimmy Meets Trace Eye-to-Eye.
Little Jimmy took his job as Opry emcee, well, not so seriously.
On June 14, 2003, as Trace Adkins finished his set and prepared to leave the stage, Jimmy walked out wearing a bright blue Nudie suit and carrying a stepladder. Climbing up the steps so he could look the 6-foot-6 singer in the eye, Jimmy asked:
“Just how bad would you like to become a member of our Grand Ole Opry family?”
Despite the dramatic height difference, the two shared a tight bond. That’s why the Opry’s tallest member will return on March 21 to honor one of its biggest personalities.
4. Little Jimmy Grows an Oak Ridge Beard.
In another unforgettable invitation, Jimmy appeared onstage wearing a long gray beard—channeling the look of the quartet’s baritone, William Lee Golden.
“All my life I’ve wanted to be a little bitty Oak Ridge Boy,” Jimmy joked. “Whether you know it or not, come August 6, I’ll be the newest member of the Oak Ridge Boys… and at that time, you will become the newest members of the Grand Ole Opry.”
After posing for photos with Jimmy in his beard, the stunned group gathered for one more song—quipping back that Jimmy could be their “alto singer.”
5. Little Jimmy and Brad Paisley Bring the Circle Home.
In 2010, Nashville endured a devastating flood that left much of the city underwater. The historic Opry Circle—a six-foot piece of wood taken from the stage of the Opry’s former home, Ryman Auditorium—was rescued from four feet of floodwater and carefully restored.
Later that year, Opry member Brad Paisley joined Jimmy to return the circle to its rightful place on the stage. Once it was safely home, Brad grabbed a guitar and Jimmy stepped to the mic beside him. Together, they rededicated the circle with a refrain from the Carter Family classic “Will the Circle Be Unbroken.”
The two shared a close friendship, with Brad often describing Jimmy as both a mentor and a dear friend—close enough, in fact, that Brad purchased Jimmy’s old Chevrolet S-10 pick-up truck, complete with the license plate “IBTATER.”
CELEBRATE THE BIGGER-THAN-LIFE ICON WITH US.
Little Jimmy Dickens’ quick wit, unforgettable songs, and showman’s sparkle remain woven into the story of the Opry. His joyful, infectious spirit helped make every milestone and celebration shine a little brighter.
Join us on March 21 as we remember the laughs, the music, and the moments that cemented Little Jimmy Dickens as a true giant of country music.
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