I don't know. I only learned of him because my dad had his records in his collection. I used to listen to them.
Also, you could hear him on the radio back in those days. I remember hearing "burgers and fries" played on the radio and the juke box during one of my first jobs.
Not country, but early 1960s leading by example, black guy-white guy teaming up on something other than a playing field!
https://www.discogs.com/master/375117-Chubby-Checker-Bobby-Rydell-Bobby-Rydell-Chubby-Checker