Jimmy Dean (b. Jimmy Ray Dean August 10, 1928, in Plainview, Texas) is an American country music singer, television host, actor, and businessman. Although he may be best known today as the founder of the Jimmy Dean Food Company, he first rose to fame for his country crossover hits like "Big Bad John," and for his television appearances. Dean may have been born and lived in the small unincorporated community of Seth Ward just northeast of Plainview.[1] Dean was to attribute his music interest to the Seth Ward Baptist Church.[2] The Seth Ward name has prompted some biographies to erroneously say that his birth name was Seth Ward.