[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 156 (2010), Part 15] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page 22986] [From the U.S. 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. ____________________