Country guitarist and singer Little Jimmy Dickens dies.

‘Little Jimmy Dickens’, who was an American country music guitarist, singer-songwriter, has died at the age of 94. His manager Jessie Schmidt said the guitarist died on Friday of cardiac arrest after suffering a stroke on Christmas Day. 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. He is also credited with introducing rhinestone suits to country music.

Dickens was the oldest member of the Grand Ole Opry, a weekly music concert broadcast live on the US radio from Nashville, Tennessee. He had performed almost continuously on the show since 1948, making his last performance on 20 December last year to celebrate his 94th birthday.

‘One-of-a-kind’Pete Fisher, vice-president of the Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville, said the show “did not have a better friend than Little Jimmy Dickens”. “He was a one-of-a-kind entertainer and a great soul whose spirit will live on for years to come,” he added.

Despite being just just 4ft 11in (1.5m) tall, Dickens said he had never been self-conscious about his height. “It’s been very good for me. I’ve made fun of it, and get a laugh here and there,” he said in a 2009 interview.

Country star Brad Paisley, who performed with Dickens several times,said he had an “incredible and unique place in country music history”. “It is with a heavy heart that I say goodbye to my hero and friend today. I loved you Jimmy,” he tweeted.

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