• ABOUT
    • Contact
    • The Team
    • FAQ
    • Use & Privacy Policy
  • ADVERTISE
  • ROWFAX
  • JOB LISTINGS
MusicRow.com
  • CALENDARS
    • Album/EP Releases
    • Single/Track Releases
    • Industry Events
  • OBITS
  • CHARTS
    • Radio Chart (Current)
    • Radio Chart (Archives)
    • No. 1 Challenge Coin
    • Songwriter Chart (Current)
    • Songwriter Chart (Archives)
  • REVIEWS
  • MY STORY
  • NEWSLETTER
    • Newsletter (Current)
    • Newsletter (Archives)
    • SIGN UP (FREE!)
  • SUBSCRIBE
  • STORE
  • Click to open the search input field Click to open the search input field Search
  • Menu Menu

In Pictures: Honoring “Little” Jimmy Dickens

January 8, 2015/by Jessica Nicholson

Fans, friends, family and industry members gathered earlier today (Jan. 8) at the Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville to honor the life and career of “Little” Jimmy Dickens. The Grand Ole Opry member died Friday, Jan. 2. A trouper to the end, Dickens turned 94 years old on Dec. 19 and performed on the Grand Ole Opry the following day, singing his hit “Out Behind the Barn” and delivering his trademark jokes. He suffered a stroke five days after his final performance and died a week later. Among those honoring the entertainer were Carrie Underwood, Vince Gill, Brad Paisley, Connie Smith, Steve Wariner, Chris Young, and Old Crow Medicine Show.

Dickens, whose signature songs included “Out Behind the Barn,” and “May The Bird Of Paradise Fly Up Your Nose” as well as more traditional country hits – joined the Grand Ole Opry in 1948.

“If they say that only the good die young, well, evidently the greatest of all live to be 94 and sing two weeks before they pass on,” Gill said at the memorial.

Paisley asked those in attendance to close the celebration with “Will The Circle Be Unbroken,” saying that Dickens began the tradition of closing country music funerals with that tune.

“We’ll take it from here, little buddy,” said Paisley, who also performed “When I Get Where I’m Going” in tribute to Dickens.

The Country Music Hall of Fame inductee was the oldest member of the Opry cast. The widely loved entertainer was the show’s goodwill ambassador, as well as its elder statesman.

Little Jimmy Dickens' Opry dressing room door. Photo: Chris Hollo/Grand Ole Opry

Little Jimmy Dickens’ Opry dressing room door. Photo: Chris Hollo/Grand Ole Opry

Brad Paisley performs during the celebration of life event honoring Little Jimmy Dickens. Photo: Chris Hollo/Grand Ole Opry

Brad Paisley performs “When I Get Where I’m Going” during the celebration of life event honoring Little Jimmy Dickens. Photo: Chris Hollo/Grand Ole Opry

Connie Smith performs. Photo: Chris Hollo/Grand Ole Opry

Connie Smith performs. Photo: Chris Hollo/Grand Ole Opry

Little Jimmy Dickens Old Crow1

Old Crow Medicine Show. Photo: Chris Hollo/Grand Ole Opry

Little Jimmy Dickens Steve Wariner1

Steve Wariner. Photo: Chris Hollo/Grand Ole Opry

Little Jimmy Dickens Vince Gill Carrie Underwood1

Vince Gill and Carrie Underwood perform “Go Rest High On That Mountain.” Photo: Chris Hollo/Grand Ole Opry

Little Jimmy Dickens Chris Young1

Chris Young. Photo: Chris Hollo/Grand Ole Opry

Artists gather at the end of the celebration of life ceremony to honor Little JImmy Dickens onstage at the Grand Ole Opry House.

Artists gather at the end of the celebration of life ceremony to honor Little JImmy Dickens onstage at the Grand Ole Opry House. Photo: Chris Hollo/Grand Ole Opry

Little Jimmy Dickens' truck. Photo: Chris Hollo/Grand Ole Opry

Little Jimmy Dickens’ truck. Photo: Chris Hollo/Grand Ole Opry

  • Author
  • Recent Posts
Jessica Nicholson
Jessica Nicholson
Jessica Nicholson serves as the Managing Editor for MusicRow magazine. Her previous music journalism experience includes work with Country Weekly magazine and Contemporary Christian Music (CCM) magazine. She holds a BBA degree in Music Business and Marketing from Belmont University. She welcomes your feedback at jnicholson@musicrow.com.
Jessica Nicholson
Latest posts by Jessica Nicholson (see all)
  • CMA Honors Robert Deaton With Chairman’s Award - December 4, 2020
  • Nashville Symphony, Nashville Musicians Association Reach Agreement - December 4, 2020
  • Zach Williams’ “Chain Breaker” Is Most-Added On ‘MusicRow’ CountryBreakout Radio Chart - December 4, 2020
Share this entry
  • Share on Facebook
  • Share on X
  • Share on LinkedIn
  • Share by Mail
https://music-row-website-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/10173029/little-jimmy-dickens-brad-paisley.jpg 380 570 Jessica Nicholson https://musicrow.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/MusicRow-header-logo-Mar19B.png Jessica Nicholson2015-01-08 17:40:522015-01-08 17:40:52In Pictures: Honoring “Little” Jimmy Dickens
0 replies

Leave a Reply

Want to join the discussion?
Feel free to contribute!

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

RECENT NEWS

  • Industry Ink: Tim McGraw, CMHOFM, Warren Zeiders, Kashus Culpepper, More June 17, 2025
  • Previously Unheard Waylon Jennings Collection ‘Songbird’ To Be Released In October June 17, 2025
  • ‘CMA Fest Presented By SoFi’ ABC Special Lineup Revealed June 17, 2025
  • Alexandra Kay To Open ‘Coffee Girl’ Coffee Shop This Thursday June 17, 2025
  • Acclaimed Composer Stacy Widelitz Passes June 17, 2025
  • Musicians On Call Adds Nine To Team June 17, 2025
  • Weekly Register: Morgan Wallen Holds On To Top Spots On Country Charts June 17, 2025
  • John Morgan’s First Headlining ‘Friends Like That Tour’ To Kick Off In October June 17, 2025
  • Noah Cyrus Readies Sophomore Album Featuring Collaborations With Blake Shelton, Ella Langley, More June 17, 2025
  • CMHOFM To Open Lainey Wilson: Tough As Nails Exhibit June 17, 2025

Like Us on Facebook

Follow Us on Twitter

Tweets by MusicRow
© 2025 Music Row Enterprises, LLC - Enfold WordPress Theme by Kriesi
Website hosted by Nashville web design company, All My Web Needs.
  • Link to Facebook
  • Link to X
  • Link to Instagram
Scroll to top