Quinten Lotus Dickey was born in Muncie, Indiana, on December 28, 1911, the youngest of five children. Lotus Dickey moved with his family to the southern part of the state when he was only a few months old. 
He grew up on a small Orange County farm on Grease Gravy Road, several miles outside of Paoli.
Singing was a regular activity in the Dickey household and provided Lotus with a solid, though informal, musical training. When Lotus was eight years old, his brother Cyprien told their father, "If I had a fiddle, I could learn to play it." Their father complied, and soon the two brothers were learning on a mail order violin from Sears, Roebuck and Company. Lotus started out noting tunes by using just the index finger of his left hand until he noticed that the older fiddlers in the community used three or four fingers.
His life replete with song, it was only natural for Lotus to compose his own lyrics and melodies. By anyone's standards, he was a prolific 
songwriter, even if one were to count only the songs he deemed good enough to share with others. His output is wide- ranging, covering his memories, his experiences, his world view, bible stories, love, family values and current issues.
He first began performing in 1922 local square dances, county fairs, and fiddle contests all over Southern Indiana and Northern Kentucky. His "discovery" came by the folk and old-time music communities. His children have proclaimed this late life career in music the happiest years of his life.
Lotus Dickey Connections and Information
Folkstreams Preview: Water from Another Time
Water from Another Time (features Lotus Dickey)
Grey Larsen's Lotus Dickey Store
Indiana University Press - Lotus Dickey Songbook (2nd Edition)