Jimmy Dean Biography

Fast Facts

• At the 1962 Grammy Awards, he won Best Country & Western Recording for his track "Big Bad John․"
• After serving in the U․S․ Air Force, he pursued a career as a professional singer
• Founded Jimmy Dean Sausage Company with his brother before selling it to Consolidated Foods while remaining their pitchman
• His song "Big Bad John" was a No․ 1 hit in both the U․S․ and England
• His variety show with ABC introduced the first Muppet in Jim Jenson's Rowlf the Dog
• Helped found the band The Texas Wildcats, which featured lead guitarist Roy Clark
• Wrote the song "PT 109," which commemorated President John F․ Kennedy's plywood torpedo boat