Jimmy Wayne Continues National Keynote Speaking Tour
With Back-To-Back Sold-Out Events In Denver, Nashville, Dallas, and Chicago
November 21, 2016 — Jimmy Wayne continues to take his powerful keynote experiences to sold-out venues across the country. Last week alone, he performed in Denver, Nashville, Dallas, and Chicago for organizations including The Salvation Army, The Dallas Cowboys, YPO (Young President's Organization), and the AICPA (Amerian Institute of Certified Public Accountants).
The award-winning recording artist, songwriter and three-time New York Times bestselling author (Walk To Beautiful) walked halfway across America in 2010 to raise awareness for at-risk children in foster care. His story, recently featured by Good Housekeeping in a four-page article (Nov. 2016), is at the core of his presentations and ends in standing ovations 100 percent of the time.
“I was in and out of foster care for a majority of my childhood until I migrated out of the system into homelessness. I was blessed to have met Bea and Russell Costner, 75 and 79 years-old at the time, who took me in and changed my life when I was just 16 years old and living outside, says Jimmy.
"My story pales in comparison to what many of kids in foster care face. More than 30,000 age out of the system into homelessness at age 18 every year. Also, it’s a little-known fact that three children per day die in US Government custody. These kids need help and I believe it’s up to us to meet them halfway,” he adds.
He encourages involvement in the lives of kids because “it only takes one person the change the life of a child. Bea and Russell met me halfway, and they asked for nothing in return. They gave me a home and a chance to go to high school and college. Because of them, I was able to pursue and catch my dream of moving to Nashville and becoming a recording artist and now, an author."
By sharing his inspiring story rooted in love, hope and the importance of hard work, integrity, and never giving up, Jimmy challenges and motivates others to make a positive difference in the world around them.
About Jimmy Wayne:
Jimmy is a former foster kid turned award-winning country music artist whose songs and story highlight his mission to raise awareness for kids in foster care. Jimmy’s hits include “Stay Gone,” “Paper Angels” and“ I Love You This Much.” His three-week Number One, “Do You Believe Me Now” earned BMI’s prestigious Million-Air Award for receiving one million radio spins in America. In 2009 Jimmy toured with Brad Paisley and recorded “Sara Smile” with rock ‘n roll Hall of Fame duo Daryl Hall and John Oates.
In 2010, Jimmy walked halfway across America (from Nashville to Phoenix) to raise awareness for kids aging out of the foster-care system. In 2011, Jimmy released the novel Paper Angels, which became a made-for-TV movie of the same title. In 2012, Jimmy helped get legislative bills passed extending the age of foster care to 21 in both California and Tennessee, and in 2015, he did the same in his home state of North Carolina. In 2014, he released Walk to Beautiful, his three-time New York Times Bestselling memoir. In June of 2016, it crossed the 100,000 print sales milestone.
A supporter of Jimmy’s tireless work is Coca-Cola. When the global brand heard about its role in Jimmy’s story, it commissioned 7,000 displays in grocery stores around America featuring Walk to Beautiful along with its classic Christmas Coca-Cola bottles. This was the first promotion of its kind in Coca-Cola history. Also, Jimmy’s song “I Love You This Much” is also currently part of Coca-Cola’s “Share a Coke and a Song” campaign that features lyrics on bottles and cans of Coca-Cola nationwide.
On Monday, September 19, Jimmy Wayne was recognized with the esteemed Points of Light Award during a private event in Kennebunkport, Maine before which he met and sang for President George H. W. Bush at the Bush family residence in Walker’s Point.
On Wednesday, September 21, in recognition of his work, he was honored with an “Angels In Adoption” award by The Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute (CCAI) during its 18th annual awards gala at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center in Washington, D.C.
Regularly featured on the Grand Ole Opry — with more than 200 performances to his credit — Jimmy lives in Nashville and continues to work tirelessly on behalf of at-risk foster youth by performing, writing books, keynote speaking. He established Project Meet Me Halfway, a campaign created to raise awareness, and provide informational resources to volunteers, mentors, and foster parents, during his 1,700-mile walk halfway across America in 2010.
Jimmy's ultimate goal is to build transitional homes for youth who age out of foster care without a place to go. Visit project http://www.projectmmh.org for ways to get involved in your local community today.
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https://www.jimmywayne.com
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