Tootsie's celebrates Nashville connection

PANAMA CITY BEACH — Fans began to scream well before Little Jimmy Dickens walked up the purple carpet Sunday to unveil his portrait at Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge.

People young and old shouted Dickens’ name, tugged on his red blazer and held up pens and Sharpies for him to sign autographs. Dickens signed scraps of paper torn from magazines or books and even a dollar bill.

Throngs of hands holding cameras and cell phones shot up in the air to snap photos.

“We came out to see him,” Lynn Haven resident Karen Timm said. “When I was little he was one of my favorite people, so it’s wonderful to see him.”

About 300 mostly local residents came to Tootsie’s in Panama City Beach to see Dickens and new country star Randy Houser. Dickens is the Grand Ole Opry’s oldest living member and Houser is among its youngest.

Dickens and Houser were part of Tootsies’ kickoff party celebrating Southwest Airlines’ first flight from Nashville to Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport. Tootsie’s, which turns 50 this year, bought 20 seats on the first flight, including those for Dickens and Houser.

Southwest Airlines announced last year Nashville would be among its direct-flight destinations. The flight means a lot to Tootsie’s. It means more country stars, co-owner Steve Smith said.

“We’re bringing country music to the beach,” Smith said. “Taylor Swift is probably going to be here. They all come to Tootsie’s. They haven’t made it until they get to Tootsie’s.”

The same musicians who get started at the Tootsie’s in Nasvhille will come to Panama City Beach now, local owners said.

Tootsie’s and the Opry have a long history, Dickens said. Dickens and other stars used to visit the lounge after gigs and quickly made friends with the owner, Tootsie Bess.

“Tootsie’s helped more people in country music than any other human being,” Dickens said. “I think it’s one of the most wonderful things that’s happened to me. This is joy for me,” she said of Sunday’s event.

“Right now, they’ve just made it as easy as possible for artists and songwriters in Nashville to come to Panama City Beach,” Houser said.

Building a fast corridor between the two cities helps both cities, said Butch Spyridon, president of the Nashville Convention & Visitors Bureau.

“We’re both facing critical times,” Spyridon said. “We can help each other out.”

Nashville was recently hit with major floods while Northwest Florida is watching to see whether a massive oil slick in the Gulf of Mexico will hurt the beach and tourism industry.

“(Southwest) bridges the gap between Nashville and Panama City Beach for Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge,” co-owner Al Ross said.

Inside Tootsie’s, a band played old country songs from Merle Haggard, George Strait and Johnny Cash. At least a dozen people line danced.

Dianne Mercer, of Fairhope, Ala., bobbed her head to the music. She and Eddie Smith had happened by just in time without planning to see Dickens.

“We decided to stay because they were going to be here,” Mercer said.

Ross said he isn’t surprised by the large turnout. People support Tootsie’s because it’s a clean and safe establishment focused on country music, he said.

“I think the people of Panama City Beach have supported us with everything we’ve done,” Ross said. “I’m very happy.”