Happy Birthday to the “Sausage King” Jimmy Dean [VIDEO]

When people talk about West Texas music, Waylon Jennings and Buddy Holly are the first names that come to mind. We sometimes forget about another great talent that came from the South Plains, Jimmy Dean.

Dean was born on this day, 1928, in Plainview.

Dean found success in both t.v. and the music business. He also went on to start his own business, the Jimmy Dean Meat Company, in which he invested most of his showbiz earnings.

Jimmy Dean really came to be known to everyone when he recorded a song in 1961 that he wrote called "Big Bad John." It went to number one on both the country and pop charts.

He also hosted a TV show on ABC in the early 60's. That show introduced to the nation Jim Henson and his Muppets. Rowlf, the piano playing dog, became a household name.

Dean passed away on June 13, 2010 at the age of 81.