VOA标准英语2010年-Country Music Star Jimmy Dean Dead at

Jimmy Dean smiles while he gets ready for a taping of his show "The Jimmy Dean Show" in a New York studio, 2 April 1964

Country singer, actor and sausage entrepreneur Jimmy Dean died Sunday, June 13 at his home in Virginia.  He was 81.  Dean was one of Country music's most memorable¹ personalities².

 

Jimmy Dean's music career spanned more three decades, but his success in the recording³ studio was nearly overshadowed by his best-selling brand of sausage and other breakfast foods. 

Jimmy Ray Dean first learned to play accordion⁴ and harmonica while growing up in Plainview, Texas.  After serving in the U.S. Air Force, he settled in Washington, D.C. where he hosted a local radio show called "Town and Country Time" with his band The Texas Wildcats. 

During this time, Dean launched his singing career with Columbia Records and produced a string of minor⁵ hits in the 1950s.  In 1961, he became an international sensation with the release of "Big Bad John," a song he co-wrote with another country legend, Roy Acuff.

Dean's tale of a heroic miner nicknamed "Big Bad John" shot to Number One on both the country and pop charts, and won the Grammy Award for Best Country and Western Recording.  Dean followed with his own nationally-televised variety show, which ran for three seasons.  Soon, he was headlining at Carnegie Hall and the Hollywood Bowl.  Dean has the distinction of being the first-ever guest host on "The Tonight Show," and he was the first country star to play in the Las Vegas tourist district known as "The Strip." 

In 1969, Dean founded the Jimmy Dean Meat Company in his hometown of Plainview, Texas.  Millions will always remember him as the charming and mild-mannered spokesman of his own television commercials for Jimmy Dean Pork Sausages.

When Dean sold his company in 1984, he continued to build on his acting⁶ career, that earlier included a supporting role in the 1971 motion picture, "Diamonds Are Forever," part of the James Bond action series.  One of Dean's starring roles came in the 1990 film, "Big Bad John," based on his Grammy-winning single.  Dean was elected into the Country Music Hall of Fame earlier this year, and was scheduled to be inducted in October.

 

1 memorable   

adj.值得回忆的，难忘的，特别的，显著的

参考例句：

• This was indeed the most memorable day of my life.这的确是我一生中最值得怀念的日子。
• The veteran soldier has fought many memorable battles.这个老兵参加过许多难忘的战斗。

2 personalities   

n. 诽谤，（对某人容貌、性格等所进行的）人身攻击； 人身攻击；人格, 个性, 名人( personality的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• There seemed to be a degree of personalities in her remarks.她话里有些人身攻击的成分。
• Personalities are not in good taste in general conversation.在一般的谈话中诽谤他人是不高尚的。

3 recording   

n.录音，记录

参考例句：

• How long will the recording of the song take?录下这首歌得花多少时间？
• I want to play you a recording of the rehearsal.我想给你放一下彩排的录像。

4 accordion   

n.手风琴；adj.可折叠的

参考例句：

• The accordion music in the film isn't very beautiful.这部影片中的手风琴音乐不是很好。
• The accordion music reminds me of my boyhood.这手风琴的乐声让我回忆起了我的少年时代。

5 minor   

adj.较小(少)的，较次要的；n.辅修学科；vi.辅修

参考例句：

• The young actor was given a minor part in the new play.年轻的男演员在这出新戏里被分派担任一个小角色。
• I gave him a minor share of my wealth.我把小部分财产给了他。

6 acting   

n.演戏，行为，假装；adj.代理的，临时的，演出用的

参考例句：

• Ignore her,she's just acting.别理她，她只是假装的。
• During the seventies,her acting career was in eclipse.在七十年代，她的表演生涯黯然失色。