Jimmy Wayne Takes Music-Infused Message on 10-Day Speaking Tour

On Friday, Feb. 8, Jimmy Wayne wrapped a 10-day run of speaking and performance engagements with back-to-back standing ovations from crowds of more than 1,000 per night - including a sold-out Crystal Palace, in Bakersfield, California.

Jimmy started this run of shows on January 31 in Union City, Tennessee, just outside of Memphis. The event sold out in advance and was attended by the leadership of Jiffy Steamers, Coca-Cola, Tyson and other major businesses. Jimmy then hopped on a flight to Medford, Oregon where he performed shows and spent time with the youth and staff of Medford Detention Center.

"Jimmy is a role model for our kids - his life example shows them they can make it out of their circumstances. Sure, it'll be hard, but we are here to help them and Jimmy's encouragement this week offered a clear vision of what their lives can be if they work hard," says Debbie Vought, Career & College for All Program Manager, Southern Oregon Education Service District.

"It's important to me to spend time with youth who may be facing the same kinds of challenges I did when I was growing up," says Jimmy, who spent several hours singing for and encouraging the teens and the detention center's staff. "The staff who invest in these kids give their all to help, so it's nothing less than an honor to support and encourage them every chance I get."

Later in the week Jimmy's positive influence was felt in Bakersfield.

Audience member Jessica Smith says, "We were taken on an emotional journey. Once Jimmy started singing, the room hushed. He held everyone's attention. With every story, he brought us through a range of feelings: laughter, tears and even a little anger. At the end, we couldn't help but rise and applaud. He didn't just entertain us, he changed how we think and he gracefully challenged us to make the most of our lives and offered practical ways to make the world a better place, every day."

To wrap up his tour, Jimmy visited Bakersfield's radio station KUZZ to help raise money for St. Jude Children's Hospital. Jimmy performs in San Angelo, Texas on February 14. The Valentine's Day show has been sold out for several weeks.

The award-winning recording artist, New York Times bestselling author (Walk To Beautiful: The Power of Love and a Homeless Kid Who Found The Way), and child advocate who walked halfway across America in 2010 to raise awareness to the 30,000 foster youth who age out of foster care annually in the U.S., will continue to travel the world sharing his story "The Power of One," while giving back to through his non-profit awareness campaign, Project Meet Me Halfway. For more about Jimmy Wayne, visit www.jimmywayne.com