Little Jimmy Dickens Wax Figure Unveiled at the Grand Ole Opry
On Saturday night (Dec. 17), Little Jimmy Dickens returned to the Grand Ole Opry stage -- at least, his likeness did. Madame Tussauds unveiled its wax figure of Dickens during the evening's Opry at the Ryman show.
Dickens' wax figure -- made to look like the singer in the 1960s -- is wearing a rhinestone-studded maroon suit with white accents and black fringe, white cowboy boots with maroon accents, a white cowboy hat and a "JD" ring; it is perched on a stool and playing an acoustic guitar with "Jimmy Dickens" written in script on its pick guard. A press release notes that the figure's "friendly, relaxed expression was decided upon by [Dickens'] wife so guests had the opportunity to experience the twinkle in his eye."
Bill Anderson and Brad Paisley were on hand at the Opry on Saturday night to help with the Dickens figure's unveiling. Paisley honored the late icon, a good friend of his, with a rendition of Dickens' "Out Behind the Barn."
“I’m floored at the likeness,” Paisley said from stage. “Jimmy gave the Opry the personality it deserved. He was the kindest to new artists of anybody. He was never judgmental, and he was always extremely supportive. He was a man who loved everyone ..."
Dickens' figure will be set up "in a broadcast setting" at the soon-to-open Nashville location of Madame Tussauds. According to the press release, the museum will be the only Madame Tussauds location in the U.S. to focus solely on musical icons; additional figures that will be on display include likenesses of Carrie Underwood, Stevie Wonder, Taylor Swift, Beyonce, Minnie Pearl, Johnny Cash and more. More information is available on the attraction's official website.
Dickens, who would have celebrated his 96th birthday on Monday (Dec. 19), became a member of the Grand Ole Opry in 1948 and remained a frequent performer until he was hospitalized on Christmas Day (Dec. 25) in 2014. Known for his humor and small stature, the icon passed away on Jan. 2, 2015, of cardiac arrest; at the time, he was the oldest living Opry member.
Remembering Little Jimmy Dickens' Life and Legacy