How did Jimmy Dean get his start in the entertainment industry?

Jimmy Dean had his first hit, called "Bummin' Around", in 1953 on the 4 Star label which he'd signed with Columbia Records in 1957. He had several small pop hits, such as "Little Sandy Sleighfoot" (a Christmas song) and "Sing Along" which later used as the theme for a TV show called "Sing Along With Mitch".