Portraits of Country Music's Top Stars
Little Jimmy Dickens
Describe your ultimate musical performance.
All my performances for the American military. During my career I made 13 trips to Europe wherever there was an American military base. I made three trips to Vietnam. The most appreciative audiences I've ever worked for in my life have been overseas, because they figure if you come that far, they better listen, and you can do nothing wrong.
Was there a moment when you knew you had to be a country musician?
I've known all my life. When I was in high school, I knew I wanted to be like some people who were favorites of mine at home; they were on local radio stations, back in West Virginia. I hung around with those people hoping they'd let me sing with them.
Favorite songs:
Leaving Hank Williams out, because he was the greatest writer that ever lived, and Merle Haggard — the songs he's written are all his experiences in life; not too many people write about their experiences in life. His "Today I Started Loving You Again." Every time I think about that song, I get a cold chill. I start loving my wife again every day. She's so special, she understands me, she knows when I'm down, she know when I'm up — we're that close. "How Great Thou Art," by Connie Smith. You've never heard anything till you've heard that.