The Stylings of Little Roy Wiggins and Son
Publication Date:
January 2010
Article Synopsis:
See how Country Music ledgen Little Roy Wiggins and His Son are alike but different.
The Stylings of Little Roy Wiggins & Son
In Nashville, Little Roy Wiggins and Howard Wiggins have both been recognized for their style but, in a different sense of the word. Little Roy Wiggins, the father of Howard Wiggins, is best known for his signature ting-a-ling stylings on the steel guitar, recordings heard in the 1950’s by over 75 million people. His career started at the tender age of thirteen when he joined Paul Howard’s Arkansas Cotton Pickers on the Opry. Soon afterward, he joined his talents with Gene Autry’s half- brother, Pee Wee King, best known for writing the Tennessee Waltz, and Pee Wee King’s Golden West Cowboys. In 1938, he and Pee Wee King, AKA J. L. Franks, featured their talents in the movie, Gold Mine in the Sky. The movie’s theme song was later recorded by Pat Boone, Nat King Cole, most recently, by Danie Craig, the current perennial James Bond. After that, Little Roy got his big break when he and Eddy Arnold joined forces, becoming one of Eddy’s Tennessee Plowboys. Eddie Stubbs, announcer for the Grand Ole Opry, was quoted as saying that when you heard Little Roy’s tin-a-ling sound, you knew darn sure it was Eddy Arnold’s recording. Little Roy performed with Eddy Arnold for twenty-five years and then branched out on his own, recording for Star Day and Dot Records. He later performed with George Morgan, the Willis Brothers, Ernie Ashworth, and Lori Morgan. The Oscar winning movie of 2004, Ray, which was based on the life of singer, Ray Charles, featured Roy Wiggins performing the hit recording of “Anytime” on the soundtrack.
Like father, like son, both Little Roy and Howard have achieved high acclaim in their respective careers. Little Roy was inducted into the Steel Guitar Hall of Fame in 1985 and, Howard, was recently recognized by the International Interior Design Firm of Andrew Martin, headquartered in London, UK, as one of the world’s thirty-five leading interior designers. Little Roy sold real estate at the Arnold Company in Brentwood, Tennessee during his lifetime and, Howard, has written monthly articles for Today’s Home Magazine, geared toward showcasing homes for sale in the Nashville and surrounding area. Howard also currently writes a monthly article for the Busy Bee Trader publication, entitled Antiques for Today’s Lifestyle, in which he presents a fresh perspective on living with antiques, revitalizing their use by incorporating them with new furnishings and accessories. Both Little Roy and Howard have been successful business owners. Little Roy owned a music store, located at 427 Broadway, near the Ryman Auditorium. When the Opry moved to Opryland, Roy eventually closed his store and chose, in his later years, to relocate to Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, where he opened a music shop and performed for tourists. Howard began Howard Wiggins Interior Design while writing his book entitled, “What Were You Thinking?”: Recognizing Costly Mistakes That Everyone Makes”. Since launching his design firm and new book, Howard has written, as well as, been featured in, many professional articles, including appearances on numerous radio/talk show interviews throughout the nation. He has also appeared twice on Nashville’s channel 5 Talk of the Town. Howard made Howard Wiggins Interior Design a highly recognized and respected design firm. Among their various credits, their work has been showcased in Nashville Home and Garden Magazine, At Home Tennessee, House and Home, and Spaces Magazine based in Florida.
For those who are fans of Little Roy Wiggins, one may purchase his recordings from his website, www.littleroywiggins.com. His website contains videos of him performing The Old Rugged Cross on the steel guitar, in addition to many other well- known recordings.
For those individuals who are interested in home decorating and interior design, one may visit the website of Howard Wiggins at www.howardwigginsinteriordesign.com to contact him for professional services, or, for ordering his book entitled, “What Were You Thinking?”: Recognizing Costly Mistakes That Everyone Makes”. The website also features past articles written for various publications that he has contributed to and been featured in.
Howard Wiggin’s book can also be purchased through Amazon.com; or, if shopping locally, at Gabriel’s Garden, Christin’s and, Hot Pink, all located in Brentwood, Tennessee; at Curtain Exchange, A La Maison, Epiphany and, Karmal-Skillington in Nashville, Tennessee; at J.J. Ashley, Mayfield Antiques and Antiques at The Factory, Inc. and, Lulu’s on Main St. in Franklin, Tennessee; and, Antiques Unlimited in Murfreesboro, Tennessee.
Howard can be contacted directly by calling (615)854-1468.
