THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, June 23, 1994 TAG: 9406210157
SECTION: NORFOLK COMPASS PAGE: 05 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY FRANK ROBERTS, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: 940623 LENGTH: Long
Personal wealth estimated at up to $100 million; country music stardom, movie stardom, meat-product stardom; a gorgeous house on a 179-acre bluff above the James River in Richmond; a Texas condo; pals like George and Barbara Bush, Elvis Presley, Perry Como and Chet Atkins.
{REST} And a 110-foot, 3-year-old, plush six-bedroom yacht, ``Big Bad John,'' sort-of a personal ``Spirit of Norfolk.''
His ship, his largest to date - all named after his hit record - is either yacht seven or eight, Dean said. One can lose track of one's yachts.
Big Bad John was parked Thursday and Friday near Waterside, next to the Elizabeth River Ferry - boatdom's Mutt and Jeff.
Most folks recognize the 6-foot-4 yacht owner, although he is different things to different generations.
Today's kids and their parents know him as television's sausage hawker; grandparents know him as a pioneer country star.
Dean hosted television's first nationwide country western show, the first televised Country Music Awards night, and he was the first C&W singer to perform in Vegas, earning $65,000 - measly by today's standards.
A nickel or dime looked like all the money in the world to Dean during his growing-up years in Plainview, Texas.
``We were so poor, I started pulling a cotton sack with mom when I was 6,'' said Dean, who is now writing his rags-to-riches book. ``There wasn't much I didn't do - digging ditches, running tractors, cleaning chicken coops, baling hay and stealing watermelons.''
He stole some time to learn piano, harmonica, guitar and accordion.
Now, Dean is helping children learn. He is a member of the national advisory council for the Reading is Fundamental Program, and he sponsors literacy programs for disadvantaged children in Dallas - not bad for someone who never graduated high school.
While he was in the Air Force, in Washington, D.C., he decided on a performing career. It began with a gig at Harry's Tavern - $4 a night.
Dean stayed in D.C. after his discharge and got a band together. In 1952, he recorded ``Bummin' Around.'' It reached No. 5 on the charts.
Then, it was on to the small black-white screen, Dean becoming a television star about 15 minutes after there was television.
He guested and hosted, sang and acted on TV. He starred on ``Daniel Boone'' from 1967 to 1970.
A lot of his earnings came from ``Big Bad John,'' written in a hurry on a piece of cardboard, said Dean.
He had been running a hog farm - about 6,000 animals strong - when he began the Jimmy Dean Meat Co. in 1968. It's now a multimillion dollar food division of Sara Lee, a $12 billion international corporation.
Dean, father of three and grandfather of two, still serves as chairman of the board and corporate spokesperson.
His wife, a dark-haired vision named Donna Meade, is working on an album, but at a leisurely pace.
The Old Dominion native had a good career going. Her records were on the charts, she was lauded by People magazine and is in the Virginia Country Music Hall of Fame. About a decade ago the Academy of Country Music declared her the Favorite New Female Vocalist of the Year.
But Donna Meade prefers spending her time as the second Mrs. J.D. During their Norfolk visit, they sat across from each other in yachtdom - glasses raised.
``I love you.''
``I love you.''
The couple, wedded five years, met during a TNN ``Nashville Now'' telecast. The show's host, Ralph Emery, served as best man.
Dean talks gently about sausage and song, but passionately about politics.
``Oliver North loves this country. We talk a lot about it. He's the best man for the job. He has the rockin' chair politicians scared,'' said Dean.
The ``politicians-I-have-known'' conversation got around to John, Bobby and Teddy Kennedy.
``I met Jackie later. She was impressed with `PT 109,' '' Dean said, referring to his hit record recounting the former president's military heroism.
``I knew the Kennedy's but we were never friends,'' he said. ``I admired John's sense of humor. Politically, I didn't like him.''
What about Bill Clinton?
Stand back! The spray from the Bronx cheer landed on the plush white rug.
``He's the worst excuse for a president this country ever had,'' Dean said, his voice rising an octave or two.
Something else that raises the Dean hackles is the current state of country music.
``It bothers Donna and I. With few exceptions - like Randy Travis and Vince Gill - they all sound alike,'' he said. ``We call most of today's singers Jimmy and Jane Generic.''
Dean still performs, ``when I feel like it,'' but for the most part the still fit 65-year-old is enjoying the millions he made with a bit of luck, a good deal of talent, a lot of hard work.
``I never pinch myself about my success,'' he said. ``While others were drinkin,' I was thinkin.' ''
by CNB