Birth and Foster Care Experience
Jimmy Wayne was born October 23, 1972, in Kings Mountain, NC.
According to Jimmy Wayne's website, he not only endured an abusive childhood, but the foster care system. Jimmy moved several times from foster home to foster home, back with his mother, and many group homes. His father left the family, his step-mother tried to kill him, and his mother went to prison. Wayne ended up on the streets, homeless until at the age of 16, after dropping out of high school. It is then that an older couple, Russell and Beatrice Costner of North Carolina embraced him and his talent with encouragement and love. They allowed him to stay in their home for six years, which enabled him to finish college and finally feel stability within a home and family.
Claim to Fame
In 2003, Jimmy Wayne released a self-titled debut album with his top 5 hit, Stay Gone. The album also included I Love You This Much, which hit number 6 on the charts; You Are and Paper Angels.
Jimmy Wayne was a part of the 2009, Brad Paisley's American Saturday Night Tour.
Became a published author on November 1, 2011, when a work of fiction titled Paper Angels, which was inspired by his own childhood, debuted.
Interesting Facts
Created the Meet Me Halfway project in his kitchen one cold, December day in 2009. He felt a bit guilty at how comfortably he was living when he knew there were thousands of former foster kids living on the streets who were not as fortunate.
Completed a 1,700 mile walk to raise awareness of homeless teens for the Meet Me Halfway organization, especially those teens who are aging out of the foster care system.
He completed the walk in six months, finishing the last fifty miles with a broken heel.
Attended twelve different schools in two years due to being in and out of the foster care system.
Moved to Nashville at the age of twenty-five to pursue a songwriting career.
He is the youngest-ever recipient of the Salvation Army's William Booth Award.
Learn more about Jimmy Wayne's music career at the About.com's Guide to Country Music.
SOURCES
Jimmy Wayne's Official Website
Jimmy Wayne Profile on Country Music GuideSite
