He guest starred three times on The Jimmy Dean Show. Once, on the November 05, 1964 broadcast from Nashville, he interacted with Rowlf, who eagerly tries to impress him with his guitar playing (enacting the 1963 novelty single "Chit Akins, Make Me a Star"). While Jimmy Dean is unimpressed, Atkins thinks Rowlf has talent and invites him to his office on Monday.