Little Jimmy Dickens on the stage of the Grand Ole Opry. Copyright Grand Ole Opry® Photo by Chris Hollo, Hollo Photographics.
Feb. 25, 2009 — Six weeks after he underwent surgery for a subdural hematoma, Little Jimmy Dickens returns to the Grand Ole Opry Friday when he hosts a segment of the venerable show at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium.
The operation, to relieve a pool of blood that accumulated on his brain, took place Jan. 13. One week later, he was transferred to a rehabilitation facility, and earlier this month, he was able to go home.
Little Jimmy shares the stage during his half-hour on Friday with bluegrass band Jesse McReynolds & The Virginia Boys, Opry veteran Jim Ed Brown and singer-songwriter Mac Davis. The weekend also features appearances by Diamond Rio, Lee Greenwood, Ricky Skaggs, Marty Stuart and Hal Ketchum. Saturday will also see the Opry debuts of two entertainment figures: actor-comedian Jack Black and his father-in-law, jazz bass player Charlie Haden.
Charlie was nominated earlier this month for Best Country Instrumental Performance, for "Is This America? (Katrina 2005)," with Pat Metheny, Jerry Douglas and Bruce Hornsby. He also has a new CD called Rambling Boy, which features Vince Gill, Ricky Skaggs & the Whites, and Rosanne Cash, among others.
Saturday’s edition of Opry Live features Alan Jackson, Little Big Town, Darius Rucker and Kathy Mattea. It airs on GAC at 9 p.m. ET.