The country music community continues to mourn the loss of country music icon Little Jimmy Dickens, who passed away on Jan. 2. Hank Williams, Jr., shared his feelings on the death of the Grand Ole Opry star in a touching tribute for Nashville's Tennessean.

Williams, Jr.'s father, Hank Williams, gave Dickens his nickname "Tater," from the diminutive star's song 'Take an Old Cold Tater (and Wait).' The two were good friends -- as well as hunting and fishing buddies, Williams, Jr., says -- until Williams died in 1953.

"Tater and my father toured Europe together in 1949 as part of a Grand Ole Opry package show that had them performing at U.S. air bases," Williams, Jr., writes. "That same year, my father penned 'Hey Good Lookin'' specifically for Dickens. A week later, he cut the song himself, jokingly telling Tater, 'That song's too good for you!'"

Williams, Jr., also calls Dickens a "trend setter," as he was the first to wear a rhinestone "Nudie suit" -- so named for their maker, Nudie Cohn -- at the Opry.

"Soon after, in 1951, my mother and father opened up 'Hank and Audrey's Corral,' a western wear clothing store to supply other Opry stars with their Nudie suits," he says. "The famous white suit with the black music notes that my father wore was a Nudie suit."

Dickens was the oldest living member of the Grand Ole Opry when he passed away. A public celebration of life service will be held on Jan. 8 at the Opry at 11 AM CT. The night before (Jan. 7), a viewing, also open to the public, will be held at Nashville's Woodlawn Roesch-Patton Funeral Home & Memorial Park, from 4 PM to 8 PM CT.

"The angel band has added another frontman," Williams, Jr., closes. "Now, my father and Tater can hunt and fish together in paradise."

Little Jimmy Dickens Through the Years

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