Died On This Date (January 2, 2015) Little Jimmy Dickens / Country Music Legend
themusicsover James Dickens
December 19, 1920 – January 2, 2015
Little Jimmy Dickens was a much-beloved American country music singer whose career spanned an astonishing 78 years. At the time of his passing, he was the oldest member of the Grand Ole Opry, which he joined in 1948. Launching his career during the late ’30s, Dickens initially performed at a local radio station while attending West Virginia University, but decided to quit school in order to focus on his career. He went on to tour the U.S. playing at various radio stations until he caught the ear of Roy Acuff who helped him get a deal with Columbia Records while introducing him to the folks at the Grand Ole Opry who quickly welcomed him into the family. Dickens scored his first Top 10 country hit in 1954 and then landed his second in 1962. Two years later, he became the first country music act to tour the world. In 1965, already a popular draw on television and across North America, Dickens landed his first #1 country hit with “May the Bird of Paradise Fly Up Your Nose.” The novelty song also crossed over to the pop charts and became Dickens’ signature song. Even though he recorded his last album in 1969 (and single in 1978), Dickens continued to remain relevant through the rest of his career by making appearances on the Opry stage and guesting in music videos by the likes of Brad Paisley. Little Jimmy Dickens was 94 when he died of cardiac arrest on January 2, 2015.
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Ernie Ashworth was a popular country performer as well as a successful songwriter. A member of the Grand Ole Opry, Ashworth released two albums which contained seven Top 10 country hits including the #1 “Talk Back Trembling Lips.” As a tunesmith, his songs have been recorded by the likes of Paul Anka, Little Jimmy Dickens, and 
Walter Haynes was a highly respected steel guitarist and songwriter who played on records by the likes of 
Over a career that spanned nearly 40 years, Marty Robbins was one of the most popular country artists of his generation. To escape a home life that was less than ideal, Robbins enlisted in the Navy at the age of 17. And while serving in WWII, he spent much of his down time learning to play the guitar. When he returned home to the states, he pursued his show business career, eventually landing his own local radio show in Phoenix, Arizona. When touring country star, Little Jimmy Dickens guested on Robbins’ show and heard him perform, he helped him get a record deal with Columbia Records. Before long, Robbins was the toast of Nashville and a favorite performer at the Grand Ole Opry. Over the course of his career, Robbins released several charting country hits including his most popular and oft covered, “El Paso,” which won him a Grammy in 1959. He won two more Grammys over the next decade. On December 8, 1982, Marty Robbins died of complications from a cardiac surgery at the age of 57.
