Jimmy scored country hits with “Big Bad John,” “P.T. 109” and others, and also enjoyed a successful business career as the founder of the Jimmy Dean Sausage Company. Bill Anderson, who received the inaugural award last year, presented the award to Jimmy and noted his early contributions to country music with his 1960s variety series on ABC-TV, The Jimmy Dean Show. “The country music industry owes him more than the industry has given him,” said Bill. Jimmy, who has battled recent health problems, arrived to the stage in a wheelchair and was assisted by his wife Donna Meade Dean. Before the show, Jimmy told Country Weekly that he has considered writing a follow-up to his 2004 book, 30 Years of Sausage, 50 Years of Ham, which detailed his careers in entertainment and business. “Donna and I have talked about it,” Jimmy explained. “We enjoyed writing that first one.” Jimmy closed the program by leading the audience in a sing-along to “Big Bad John.”