Singer and sausage king Jimmy Dean died
By mentalward
@mentalward (14690)
United States
June 13, 2010 10:46pm CST
Do you remember the song, "Big Bad John"? That was one of Jimmy Dean's biggest hits back in the 60's, I believe it was. He started his Jimmy Dean Sausage company and sold it to Sara Lee in 1984 or 1985. He also had his own TV show a long time ago, The Jimmy Dean Show, of course. LOL
He lived not far from me in Richmond, Virginia.
I remember fishing on the James River once and having Jimmy Dean's yacht pointed out to me. One of his favorite things to do was boating and watching the sunset over the James River.
I was never a country music fan but I remember singing along with that song of his, Big Bad John.
Do you remember him? I mean, aside from his sausage company. Were you a fan of his? Did you sing along with his songs? I admit feeling a bit corny for admitting that I sang along with that song but, hey, we all have our skeletons in the closet. 
4 people like this
7 responses
@AmbiePam (120844)
• United States
19 Jun 10
I remember his wonderful smile from his commercials. I guess he stopped doing those commercials ages ago. My grandmother was talking about him this past weekend. She is a fan of The Gaither Vocal Band. Apparently Jimmy Dean was a Christian, and he had appeared in one of their videos. She admired him. I just remember thinking what a sweet man he appeared to be.
1 person likes this
@dragon54u (31633)
• United States
18 Jun 10
I remember when I was a child I watched his variety show with his "co-star", a puppet called Ralph the dog. Ralph was very funny! And of course I remember that song, it's about the only one I know of that he did. He put out a lot of music but I don't remember.
He lived a good long life and went quickly. He gave a lot of money to charity and put a lot of effort into encouraging students to excel in high school and to graduate. A good man, by all accounts, a rarity these days where celebrity lives are filled with scandal.
I don't think I can post the picture of Mr. Dean and Ralph but here is a link to it:
http://www.nwitimes.com/entertainment/columnists/offbeat/article_4ccf56d6-e78a-5912-8ca4-3c039a370044.html
@leenie50 (3992)
• United States
14 Jun 10
Hey Marti,
I think we are all guilty of doing corny things like that. I like Country but don't listen very often. I remember Jimmy Dean very well. We love his sausage, especially the hot sausage. I haven't seen Jimmy Dean on TV lately. I guess he was getting too old.
I've been thinking of you lately, wondering how you are. How are the boys?
I'll email you tomorrow.
Love Ya,
Leenie
right back atcha, Irish! 
@LadyMarissa (12148)
• United States
14 Jun 10
I hadn't heard this. I must say it saddens me to hear of his passing!!! I sang along with MOST of Jimmy Dean's sons & never once felt I was being corny!!! He was very popular back when I was growing up & my family watched his show almost every week. I bought his records. He was considered to be very talented during his heyday. Big Bad John was one of his biggest & best songs. I've read that he wrote that song in only 2 hours. He was very popular as his Character Josh Clement in the Daniel Boone series. After playing the part of Willard Whyte in the James Bond movie Diamonds are Forever, he played more of the bit parts in various movies & television shows. I always admired him because he refused to sell his soul to the devil in order to remain on top in LaLaLand!!! It seemed he disappeared for a while & then came back into existence as Jimmy Dean the Sausage King!!! I always wondered what would have happened if he had been willing to play the game that gets people into fame...Or if going out while on top was the best way to go??? My condolences go out to his family, friends, & old admirers of his work!!!
@mentalward (14690)
• United States
14 Jun 10
It saddens me, too. Another icon gone. Another truly GOOD person.
What makes me feel corny isn't the song or him, per se, it was the way he sang it, mostly talking. I would try to mimic his voice which was, of course, impossible. I was VERY far from sounding like him. Still, I loved the song. My father would sometimes put that record on just to hear me "sing" along. He always got a kick out of my attempt to sound like Mr. Dean.
Another song of his that I would sing along with and NOT feel corny about was Little Sandy Sleighfoot. I did not know that it was Jimmy Dean singing it, all I knew was that I loved the song. I tried to find it online but only found the lyrics, which I posted above. That was one of my all-time favorite songs when I was young.
I would love to see shows like his come on now. We need more of them and less of these reality shows. 
Another song of his that I would sing along with and NOT feel corny about was Little Sandy Sleighfoot. I did not know that it was Jimmy Dean singing it, all I knew was that I loved the song. I tried to find it online but only found the lyrics, which I posted above. That was one of my all-time favorite songs when I was young.
I would love to see shows like his come on now. We need more of them and less of these reality shows. 
@sender621 (14889)
• United States
14 Jun 10
I can remember the song Big Bad John when I as a kid. I am familair with Jimmy Dean and his sausage. it is a family favorite. It is sad to see a legend such as jimmy Dean taken from this world. Im sure he will be missed by many all over the world.
