Country Music Legend Little Jimmy Dickens Dies at 94

Story by the Associated Press; curated by Oliver Darcy.

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NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Little Jimmy Dickens, a diminutive singer-songwriter who was the oldest cast member of the Grand Ole Opry, has died. He was 94.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (@AP) — Little Jimmy Dickens dies at hospital at 94, spokeswoman says; was oldest Grand Ole Opry star.

— TheBlazeNOW (@TheBlazeNOW) January 3, 2015

Opry spokeswoman Jessie Schmidt says Dickens died Friday at a Nashville-area hospital of cardiac arrest after suffering a stroke on Christmas Day.

Singer 'Little' Jimmy Dickens performs at The Grand Ole Opry at Ryman Auditorium on November 8, 2014 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Terry Wyatt/Getty Images)

His novelty songs, including "May the Bird of Paradise Fly Up Your Nose," earned him a spot in the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1983.

Dickens, who stood 4-foot-11, had performed on the Opry almost continuously since 1948. His last performance was Dec. 20 as part of his birthday celebration. He turned 94 a day earlier.

Country star @BradPaisley releases statement on death of Little Jimmy Dickens https://t.co/loa2y0f62E pic.twitter.com/w5Wenv91R5

— Oliver Darcy (@oliverdarcy) January 3, 2015

Country legend Hank Williams Sr. nicknamed him "Tater" based on Dickens' song "Take an Old Cold Tater (And Wait)."

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