Joe:

Don't know if it will help any but "Shorty" Sullivan's real name was "Philip." He was the younger brother of Johnny "Lonzo" & Rollin "Oscar" Sullivan of the old Opry duo (after the Lloyd George era.) They were all from Metcalf County, KY.

Shorty was killed by a drunk driver back in 1959 (along with Rollin's wife Evy Ruth) not long after this song came out.

I think he was best known as the WBAM musical director, but maybe the Green Valley Boys' WVOK songbook is probably worth a look into.