Jimmy Wayne Biography

Jimmy Wayne Basic Facts:

Name: Jimmy Wayne
Birthday: Oct. 23, 1972
Hometown: Bessemer City, NC

Country Style: Contemporary Country

Jimmy Wayne Songwriting:

Jimmy Wayne wrote both of his early big hits, such as "Stay Gone," which was based on his sister's abusive relationship. In "I Love You This Much," he wrote about a little boy's need for his father's love.

Musical Influences:

Ronnie Milsap, Lionel Richie, Alan Jackson, Hall & Oates, and Queensryche.

Suggested Jimmy Wayne Songs:

• Download/Purchase "I Love You This Much"
• Download/Purchase "Stay Gone"
• Download/Purchase "I Will"
• Download/Purchase "Do You Believe Me Now"
• Download/Purchase "Paper Angels"

Similar Artists:

Some other artists with music similar to Jimmy Wayne

• Billy Currington
• Andy Griggs
• Craig Morgan

Recommended Albums:

• Jimmy Wayne
• Do You Believe Me Now

Jimmy Wayne Biography:

Jimmy Wayne was born Oct. 23, 1972 in Kings Mountain, NC. He suffered through a troubled childhood. After his father abandoned his mother, Jimmy and his sister spent much of their youth being shuffled from living with his mother and foster families, when his mother was in and out of prison. It was during this time that he began keeping a journal, using his writing as therapy.

By the age of 16, he dropped out of school and was living on the streets, when he was hired by an older couple to cut their grass. Eventually, they invited him to live with them, and it was here that he had his most stable life. He went back to school, later working his way through college, where he earned an associate degree in criminal justice. He worked for four years as a guard at the Gaston Correctional Facility, but he knew his heart was in Nashville, so two days after quitting his job, he moved to Music City to pursue his dream.

Songwriting success

Jimmy continued with his songwriting, and earned a songwriting deal, where one of his songs ("Put Your Hand in Mine"), was picked up and recorded by Tracy Byrd. The song, co-written with Skip Ewing became a Top 10 hit for Byrd. He caught the attention of James Stroud, who was the head of a new label, DreamWorks, and was signed to a record deal.

Wayne's self-titled debut was released in 2003, with the lead single being "Stay Gone," which later became his first Top 5 hit. Three other singles were released -- "I Love You This Much," "You Are" and "Paper Angels." All three were top 20 hits, with "I Love You This Much" peaking at No. 6.

First Number One

When DreamWorks closed in 2006, Wayne moved to Big Machine Records, and in 2008, he was moved to The Valory Music Co., which is a sister label to Big Machine. There he released "Do You Believe Me Now." The song took off, eventually topping the charts, and he released his first album on the label, Do You Believe Me Now in August that year.

In 2009, Wayne is part of Brad Paisley's American Saturday Night Tour.