Last Friday, I saw Toby Keith in concert. If you told me that I would see an even better concert a day later, I'd think you were crazy. Now, don't get me wrong, I want to make it clear that Toby Keith put on a great show; I would pay to see him again (especially since Jaron and the Long Road to Love who sings "Pray For You" was opening ... he was awesome). It's just that Jimmy Wayne put on an even better show at, ironically, Toby Keith's I Love This Bar and Grill in Mesa, AZ.
For the last seven months, Jimmy Wayne has walked from Nashville, TN to Phoenix, AZ (a total of 1700 miles and six states) to raise awareness and money for HomeBase Youth Services. HomeBase Youth Services helps homeless youth ages 18-21. Jimmy Wayne was homeless during part of a childhood and the free concert was celebrating him reaching Phoenix. On Sunday, he walked to HomeBase Youth sevices.
He sang most of his hits (although, he missed a few of my favorite songs, such as "Paper Angels" and "Brighter Days") and songs such as "Do You Believe Me Now," "I Will," "Sara Smile," "Stay Gone," and "I Love You This Much." It's such a disappointment to me when I listen to a song on a radio and it's not good live. But this didn't happen — in fact some of his songs were better live like "Trespassin'." I was in the audience thinking to myself, "There's no way he can hit that note. No one can hit that note." Then he hits that note. Absolutely amazing. Seriously, I have no idea how he does it.
He had so much energy on stage. It was more than a concert — it was a giant party. The guy broke his foot (and still walked the last five miles to Phoenix) and was still dancing on stage. His energy bounced off from the stage into the crowd. I had just driven six hours from Los Angeles to Mesa to catch the show (not to mention I had to get up early after going to bed late because of the Toby Keith concert), so naturally, I was super tired when I got to the bar. But Wayne's energy gave me energy, as if I just had 10 bottles of Dr. Pepper. The fact that his energy gave me energy proves the guy has excellent stage presence. He also has a way of connecting with the audience. It seemed like he made eye contact with everyone.
Article comments
1 - GAYLE
I heard about the show last minute and wanted to go once I heard his story. Once he spoke and told the people his experiences in the system I decided to change my vounteer work with small children to the kids aging out of the system. He is a great example of how we may not be able to stop the bad things that happen to us but we can decide how they will affect us and what kind of person we want to be. I always loved his music but now I big fan of the person he is and only hope that I can be half as giving to others that he is.
2 - lucille
Well said Gayle. Jimmy is the real deal, genuine, true-blue. He has never forgotten where he came from, how he got here, and came back to help the others in need. The show rocked!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
3 - Anna
I couldn't agree more. I saw him in Wisconsin about two weeks ago. He was fanatastic! I have never really been a fan of his. I liked a couple of his songs on the radio, but never enough to add them to my ipod. But we went to a concert to see him, tracy lawrence and montgomery gentry. And I figured i was just going to sit through him and then see the good stuff. but i really enjoyed it. He did the same thing with the cameras and he signed autographs for a long time afterward. He just really seemed to care about his fans. He put on a really good show. He was exciting and it was really funny how he kept playing air guitar on the songs he doesn't play real guitar. And his story that he told was really touching. And oh, i forgot. HE CAN FRICKIN SING! He has an awesome voice. He is so smooth. Even "Sara Smile" Which i absolutely hate, i loved. Even though I still think montgomery gentry and tracy lawrence were better. He was definitely worth seeing. I can't wait to see him again. He's one of the best that i've seen ever.