RIP Jimmy Dean!
Good Music....Better Sausage!
While Nashville was busy celebrating what they call "country music", a true country gentleman and world-class entertainer passed away quietly.
not pictured....a terrified Miss Piggy
Born in Texas (the official home of the best music AND meat products!) in 1928, Jimmy Dean's career covered almost every base of popular media....radio show host, award winning country artist, movie star, television host, and beloved breakfast foods spokesperson. While Jimmy Dean didn't actually invent breakfast sausage....actually, he may have. I really didn't pay attention in my History of Breakfast class in high school.
According to wikipedia (or, The Source of All Knowledge, according to my crack research staff), Jimmy Dean was instrumental in the careers of many country artists....such as Patsy Cline and Roy Clark. He also occassionally filled in for Johnny Carson on The Tonight Show. And, he may have invented breakfast sausage!
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Jimmy Dean and Me
Every so often, we assess our lives when someone who affected us passes away. The passing of Jimmy Dean causes me to hearken back to a time when I watched my first country music variety show, on television. At 5 or 6 years of age, I marveled at watching Jimmy Dean sing, and interact with his guests; years later, when I performed in concert, the circle was completed when Jimmy was in the audience watching my performance.
After the show, Jimmy and I talked about his (early) TV program, and I asked him about the (puppet) dog he featured on his show. Pictured above with Jimmy is "Rolph" who, as it happened, was the first "Muppet" character, courtesy of Jim Henson.
I never thought to ask if
I never thought to ask if you knew Jimmy Dean, Johnny! But, considering your impressive resume as an entertainer, it only makes sense that you two talented artists would have crossed paths at some point in your careers. Do you have any other insights or stories to share about the late Mr. Dean? Did he influence any of your performances, or the way you interact with your audiences?
"Guns don't kill people...Chuck Norris kills people."
Jimmy Dean and my friend
I grew up with a local singer in Garrison Ky by the name of Gordon Brown who idolized Hank Williams and he could sound just like him. I was a 17 year old lap steel player in 1952. He begged me to go on the road with him. He said we will make it even if we have to sleep in the car and bum for food for awhile but stick with me. I said thanks but no thanks.
He changed his name to Luke Gordon and took off. He made his way to Virginia. He got into a talent contest put on by Jimmy Dean. He won on Sat night and an unknown singer by the name of Patsy Cline won on Sunday night or vise verse. They both got to play on Jimmy Deans TV show.
Luke Gordon was quite a crowd pleaser when he came out and did a medley of Hank Williams tunes. He made a living singing country music until he retired and came back to Ky.recently.
There is no doubt that Jimmy Dean touched a lot of lives.
Ted Christy
James: I have no additional
James: I have no additional stories about Jimmy Dean, other than each time we met, he treated me as a friend. As for inspiration, I can say I studied some of the great story songs Jimmy would recite, and appreciated his cadence of delivery, and inflection; my favorite being, Dear Mom.
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