Dudley "Big Tiny" Little, Jr., born on August 31, 1930, in Worthington, Minnesota, started playing piano at age five. He joined his father's band before serving in the United States Air Force. In 1955, he became part of The Lawrence Welk Show, gaining recognition for his keyboard skills and solo performances. After leaving the show in 1959, Little pursued a solo career, recording over 45 albums including Big Tiny's Little Black Book (1960) and Little Land (1961). He also performed at President Ronald Reagan's inaugural balls in 1985. His version of "Twelfth Street Rag" (1959) was the theme for Joe Franklin's TV show from the mid-1960s to the mid-1990s. Little passed away on March 3, 2010, at age 79.
