HE STANDS REAL TALL: REMEMBERING JIMMY DICKENS Sadly, the first musical casualty of 2015 is also one of its most beloved figures. Grand Old Opry veteran, long time Columbia Records artist, vocalist, songwriter, humorist, outspoken country music advocate and Bolt, West Virginia native, James Cecil “Jimmy” Dickens passed away in a Nashville, Tennessee hospital on 02 January after suffering a stroke on Christmas Day and cardiac arrest on the day of his passing. Having begun his musical career in the late 1930s on WJLS radio in Beckley, West Virginia while attending West Virginia University, Dickens spent the next decade touring as Jimmy The Kid. He was performing on WKNX radio in Saginaw, Michigan in 1948 when he came to the attention of country music pioneer and Columbia recording artist Roy Claxton Acuff, who in turn introduced Dickens to the Grand Ole Opry and the label. By decades end, Dickens recorded his debut 78 for Columbia, Take An Old Cold ’Tater (And Wait) (Columbia 20548) as Jimmie Dickens, and became a regular fixture on the Opry; a position he would hold for the remainder of his life. In the ensuing years, Dickens recorded prolifically for Columbia, with many of his tracks amongst the earliest examples of the fusion of rock and roll and country that became rockabilly. Some of his career highlights include They Locked God Outside Of The Iron Curtain, Lola Lee, Sidemeat And Cabbage, Out Behind The Barn, Stinky Boogie, Country Boy Bounce, We Lived It Up, Police, Police, When The Ship Hit The Sand and the November 1965 monster classic, Bird Of Paradise. He also recorded the Gospel staple, Old Country Church as a duet with the late, great Hank Williams. Dickens continued to perform at the Grand Ole Opry until 20 December 2014. He is survived by his wife, Mona and daughters Pamela Detert and Lisa King. Dickens was 94. In addition to his formidable skills as a musician, Jimmy Dickens was perhaps even more beloved in his role as outspoken ambassador for pure country music, possibly rivaling former Dodgers skipper Tommy Lasorda in his pure unbridled and outspoken enthusiasm for his chosen field. To that effect, here is a landmark 1955 clip that showcases Dickens’ passion for the art in abundance, as he introduces bluegrass visionary Bill Monroe and an all star band that includes the legendary Jackie Phelps (later of the beloved duet, Riddle and Phelps) on banjo in a jaw dropping, larger than life rendition of the instrumental classic, Roanoke: https://youtube/watch?v=hKl8OVa0fDg
Posted on: Sat, 03 Jan 2015 02:23:13 +0000
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