Jimmy Wayne Sings for Kids
Jimmy Wayne is committed to giving back to the community, especially when it comes to helping underprivileged kids. That's partly because he's been there himself.
"The family that took me in when I was 16 turned my life around. I just would feel guilty if I didn't help now that I can," Wayne says. "It's like, man if I don't give it back, it's gonna be taken from me."
The singer is doing a benefit in his hometown of Boiling Springs, N.C. on April 18 for the Cleveland Rutherford Kidney Association. One of the cool things about the concert is that kids who are in the custody of community service get to attend for free.
"We had over 1,000 kids last year," Wayne says proudly. "They get to hear my story and how I relate to them, and then they hear some music."
The singer also recently became involved in working with the T.J. Martell Foundation, which helps cancer, leukemia and AIDS research. He also supports HomeBase Youth Services in Phoenix, Arizona, where he does an annual benefit for the organization that helps homeless kids in that state.
"They take kids off street who are homeless and give them a home," explains Wayne, who knows what it's like living on the street. "Many of these kids are in gangs, and at first when they come to see me they're like, 'Who is this white guy?' But when I start talking to them and telling them I've lived on the street, I've seen things go down that you have seen, then they realize that I can relate."
Wayne's next charitable step is to go out on his own. "My ultimate dream is to open an orphanage in North Carolina and take in kids who are older, whose chances of getting adopted is slim," he explains. "No one wants to take in a 16 or 17 year old boy with long hair. They figure that this guy is not gonna change. But you know what? I did when I was 16. There is always hope for these kids."
2009 ACM Awards Red Carpet Photos
Jason Merritt, Getty Images
Jae C. Hong, AP
Frazer Harrison/ACM2009, Getty Images for ACM
Jason Merritt, Getty Images
Kevin Winter/ACM2009, Getty Images for ACM
Jason Merritt, Getty Images
Frazer Harrison/ACM2009, Getty Images for ACM
Jason Merritt, Getty Images
Jason Merritt, Getty Image
Jason Merritt, Getty Images
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