http://www.mirror.co.uk/celebs/news/...5875-22334159/
immy, a member of the Country Music Hall of Fame, died on Sunday evening at his home in Varina, Virginia.
He got his start in music in the 40s, first as a frontman with his Texas Wildcats, then as a disc jockey - his radio shows helped launch Patsy Cline's singing career.
He went on to have a string of hits in the 60s but was best known for Big Bad John, a song about a heroic coal miner that topped the charts in 1961 and won a Grammy.
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He also hosted the TV variety series The Jimmy Dean Show, which gave Muppet Show creator Jim Henson his first big break.
In 1969 Jimmy became "the sausage king", setting up the Jimmy Dean Meat Company, which he sold to Sara Lee Foods in 1984.
He is survived by three children and two grandchildren.
His wife, Donna, said: "He was amazing."