Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular Music

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DICKENS, Little Jimmy

(b James Cecil Dickens, 19 December 1920, Bolt WV; d 2 January 2015, Nahville TN) Diminutive (4 feet 10 inches) country star of the 1950s and 60s. He began as Jimmy the Kid with Johnny Bailes and his Happy Valley Boys '42, went solo, signed with the Grand Ole Opry '48, Columbia Records '49; had initial hits with novelties: 'Country Boy', 'Take An Old Cold Tater And Wait' '49; 'A-Sleepin' At The Foot Of The Bed' '50, 'Out Behind The Barn' '52, 'I'm Little But I'm Loud' '53. His 'Hillbilly Fever' '50 is regarded as an early example of rockabilly; he was also one of the most effective singers of heart songs, with throbbing almost tear-filled vibrato on 'Take Me As I Am', 'My Heart's Bouquet'. Wore the showiest costumes of any country entertainer: 'He looked like Mighty Mouse in pyjamas,' said June Carter Cash. He came back to the charts in the '60s with 'The Violet And A Rose' '62, 'May The Bird Of Paradise Fly Up Your Nose' '65 (no. 1 country, no. 15 pop). Recorded for Decca '68-70, United Artists '71-3; always remained a popular touring act. Elected to Country Music Hall of Fame '83, still popular on the Opry in the 1990s; compilations included Straight From The Heart on Rounder, Essential on Columbia.