Pictured following Jimmy Wayne's 200th Grand Ole Opry performance on Friday, April 15: Dan Rogers, Grand Ole Opry; Ken Abraham, Walk to Beautiful Co-Author; Jimmy Wayne; Matt Baugher, SVP Publisher, W Publishing Group. (Photo credit: Glen Rose)
Jimmy Wayne Celebrates 200th Grand Ole Opry Performance,
A Song Featured in Coca-Cola’s National "Share a Coke and a Song" Campaign and a
Third Appearance on the New York Times’ Bestsellers List
Jimmy Wayne celebrated his 200th performance on the Grand Ole Opry stage this Friday (4.15), just days before the launch of Coca-Cola’s national "Share a Coke and a Song" campaign featuring his Top 10 hit, “I Love You This Much.” “The first time I played the Opry was in 2003 and every time since then I’m reminded just how lucky I am to learn directly from the people who’ve helped build this business,” said Jimmy. “I’ve learned so much from pioneers like Bill Anderson, Connie Smith, John Conlee, Charlie Daniels, Jeannie Seely, Riders In The Sky and Ricky Skaggs. They’re as nice back stage as they are on stage — they treat everyone with respect and kindness, and those are the key components in building any successful business. I appreciate Pete Fisher and Gina Keltner for inviting me back all these times. I can’t wait to hit 300!”
Immediately following his performance, the singer, songwriter, author and sought-after keynote speaker was recognized with a plaque from publisher Thomas Nelson in commemoration of his book, Walk To Beautiful (10.14) appearing three times on the New York Times’ Bestsellers list in just 18 months.
“I wrote Walk To Beautiful with best-selling author Ken Abraham after walking from Nashville to Phoenix to raise awareness for at-risk foster children. When I was 16, I was given a home by Bea and Russell Costner and I wouldn’t be here today if not for their kindness and generosity. “I was lucky. So many kids don’t have anywhere to go when they age-out of foster care at 18. This book is about love and anyone can relate to it. It’s also been the launch point for bills passed in California, North Carolina and Tennessee, to extend foster care from 18 to 21,” said Jimmy. “Thanks so much to everyone who has read it and shared it. Thanks also to anyone who has become involved in CASA and stepped up and into the life of an abused and neglected child.” The two career milestones precede April’s launch of Coca-Cola’s national "Share a Coke and a Song" campaign that features lyrics to Jimmy’s “I Love You This Much,” on bottles and cans of Coca-Cola nationwide. For more on the "Share a Coke and a Song" campaign, click here: #ShareACoke About Jimmy Wayne:
Jimmy Wayne 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,” “Do You Believe Me Now” — which earned BMI’s prestigious Million-Air Award for receiving one million radio spins in America — and "I Love You This Much.” 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, a three-time New York Times Bestselling memoir. Jimmy lives in Nashville and continues to raise awareness for abused and neglected children through performing, writing and speaking. For more about Jimmy Wayne, please visit: www.jimmywayne.com # # #
