James Cecil Dickens, known professionally as Little Jimmy Dickens, was an influential American country music singer and songwriter, born on December 19, 1920, in Bolt, West Virginia. Renowned for his humorous novelty songs, Dickens was a prominent figure in country music, recognized for his small stature of 4'10" and his flamboyant rhinestone-studded outfits, which he was credited with introducing to live country performances.

Dickens began his musical career in the late 1930s, performing on radio station WJLS in Beckley, West Virginia, while attending West Virginia University. He gained experience with notable performers like Mel Steele, Molly O'Day, and Johnnie Bailes and hosted his own radio programs in various states, including West Virginia, Indiana, Kansas, and Ohio. In 1948, after being heard on a Michigan radio station, he was introduced to Columbia Records and the Grand Ole Opry by Roy Acuff. Dickens signed with Columbia Records and joined the Grand Ole Opry the same year, adopting the stage name Little Jimmy Dickens due to his height.

Throughout his career, Dickens recorded numerous novelty songs such as "Country Boy," "A-Sleeping at the Foot of the Bed," and "I'm Little but I'm Loud." His 1949 hit "Take an Old Cold Tater (And Wait)" earned him the nickname "Tater" from Hank Williams. Dickens formed the Country Boys band in 1950 and discovered future Country Music Hall of Famer Marty Robbins. He left the Opry in 1957 to tour with the Philip Morris Country Music Show, later achieving his first top-10 country hit in 1962 with "The Violet and a Rose." In 1964, he became the first country artist to tour globally and released his biggest hit, "May the Bird of Paradise Fly Up Your Nose," in 1965.

Dickens was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1983 and remained an active member of the Grand Ole Opry until his death on January 2, 2015, in Nashville, Tennessee, at the age of 94. His legacy includes not only his music but also his impact on the fashion of country music performers.