Country Musician. Born Ivan Leroy Wiggins in Nashville, Tennessee, he liked Hawaiian and country music and quickly became proficient on the lap steel guitar. Dubbed "Little Roy", he started playing with Paul Howard and his Arkansas Cotton Pickers on the famed Grand Ole Opry radio show at age 14. In the 1940s, he performed with Pee Wee King, George Morgan, and on Eddie Arnold's hit records such as "I'll Hold You in My Heart", "Anytime" and Bouquet of Roses". With Eddie Arnold for 25 years, on his own he recorded two solo albums, "Mister Steel Guitar" (1962) and "18 All Time Hits" (1966). During the 1970s, he worked as a session player, toured as a solo act and with Ernest Ashworth and the Willis Brothers. He died of heart disease.
Country Musician. Born Ivan Leroy Wiggins in Nashville, Tennessee, he liked Hawaiian and country music and quickly became proficient on the lap steel guitar. Dubbed "Little Roy", he started playing with Paul Howard and his Arkansas Cotton Pickers on the famed Grand Ole Opry radio show at age 14. In the 1940s, he performed with Pee Wee King, George Morgan, and on Eddie Arnold's hit records such as "I'll Hold You in My Heart", "Anytime" and Bouquet of Roses". With Eddie Arnold for 25 years, on his own he recorded two solo albums, "Mister Steel Guitar" (1962) and "18 All Time Hits" (1966). During the 1970s, he worked as a session player, toured as a solo act and with Ernest Ashworth and the Willis Brothers. He died of heart disease.
Bio by: John "J-Cat" Griffith
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