Rigdon Osmond Dees III was born in Jacksonville, Florida, on 14 March 1950 and grew up in Greensboro, North Carolina. He began his broadcasting career in high school at WGBG before moving through stations such as WCAR, WSGN and WKIX, and ultimately gaining national attention while at WMPS in Memphis. In 1976, Rigdon Osmond Dees III released the novelty single "Disco Duck", which sold over six million copies and earned him a People's Choice Award for Favorite New Song. Rigdon Osmond Dees III transitioned to radio management and programming, becoming a morning host at KIIS‑FM in 1981, where he helped the station reach the top revenue position in the United States. In 1983 he launched the syndicated Rick Dees Weekly Top 40 Countdown, which has been broadcast in more than 200 countries and continues to air worldwide. His recording career includes albums such as Hurt Me Baby – Make Me Write Bad Checks! (1983), Put It Where The Moon Don’t Shine (1984), and Rick Dees Greatest Hit (The White Album) (1986). Rigdon Osmond Dees III received a Grammy nomination in 1984, the Marconi Award, induction into the National Radio Hall of Fame, and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.