Jimmy Ray Dean “Big Bad John” of 50s country music and Studebaker?

[rgallatin]

Big Bad John" went to number one and won Dean the 1962 Grammy Award. His mid-sixties television series was The Jimmy Dean Show. Best known today as the creator of the Jimmy Dean sausage brand. He is rumored to have been an Avanti owner but I have no significant evidence. Anyone know more? Fess up!


Jimmy Dean celebrity status with no specific Avanti reference

[Avantidon]

In the late 80's while living in Nashville I was privileged to work the Music City Open, at the time a major LGPA event. One of the events was a Pro-AM event and I was assigned to accompany Nancy Lopez's group consisting of the CEO of the sponsoring company, Jimmy Dean and Ms. Lopez. What a day that was as every time Ms. Lopez would get ready to hit her shot Jimmy Dean would crack a joke and cause her and everyone else to laugh. One of the best days of my life as I lifed the entire day and what gentleman he was. To this day I still eat his sausage.

[Cowtown Commander]

I used to have a picture of Jimmy Dean posing with a Studebaker Avanti --- I think it was taken at a State Fair in the Midwest. I don't know where the photo is now, I may have included it with some Avanti literature I sold. I'm trying to get my remaining literature ready for sale at the national meet, if I run across the photo, I'll post it.

[Studedude]

http://www.theavanti.net/dean.html

http://wizbangpop.com/2009/07/09/cars-of-the-stars-the-great-studebaker-avanti.php

[t walgamuth]

His sausage is excellent!

[StudeRich]

The Wizbang Pop, Blue Avanti belongs to a long time friend and SDC Member from the Orange Empire Chapter, now known as the: Beach Cities Orange Inland Empire Chapter

The Avanti Photo is at The BCOIE Chapter's Annual La Palma Car Show event.