by VVN MusicHe stood just 4 feet 11 inches, but Little Jimmy Dickens certainly stood tall in the world of country music.
From 1948 until his death in 2015, Dickens represented country music, was a fixture of the Grand Ole Opry, and became friends with some of the greats including a long time mutual admiration with singer Brad Paisley.
Dickens was first brought to the attention of both the Opry and Columbia Records in 1948. In the late 40's and early-50's, he had a series of comedy country hits including his debut "Take an Old Cold 'Tater (And Wait)" (1949 / #7 Country) but he would release dozens of records between 1950 and 1962 with only one hit ("Out Behind the Barn" (1954 / #9 Country)).
Then, in 1962, he made a comeback with the song "The Violet and the Rose" (1962 / #10) which started a new series of hits that culminated on November 20, 1965 with his one and only number 1 single, "May the Bird of Paradise Fly Up Your Nose".
The songwriter, Neil Merritt, said that the song was inspired by a saying used by Johnny Carson on The Tonight Show. Grady Martin played guitar on the recording.
The top five country singles on November 20, 1965:
- May the Bird of Paradise Fly Up Your Nose - Little Jimmy Dickens
- Hello Vietnam - Johnny Wright
- Make the World Go Away - Eddy Arnold
- If I Talk to Him - Connie Smith
- Buckaroo - Buck Owens and His Buckaroos
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