Bruce Springsteen Forum

01. Do You Believe Me Now
02. I Will
03. I'll Be That
04. Brighter Days
05. One On One
06. Kerosene Kid
07. No Good For Me
08. True Believer
09. I Didn't Come Here To Lose
10. Where You're Going
11. Stay Gone
12. I Love You This Much

Roughstock.com
Belief. There were times in the last few years where that's all that Jimmy Wayne seemingly had. Belief in himself, his music and the firm belief that people can and will relate to the songs that he's written. After scoring a moderately successful self-titled debut record (which saw two singles go Top 10) with DreamWorks Records, Jimmy Wayne had a rough period of where his label closed and then, after signing with Big Machine Records, Jimmy saw a couple of singles fail to do too much at radio. When his label opened up a sister label, The Valory Music Company, Jimmy was transferred to that label as one of the flagship artists along with Jewel. Jimmy then released the single "Do You Believe Me Now" and, despite a non-traditional melody, the song became a huge hit.

Now with a hit song (Jimmy's third Top 10 hit), Wayne has presented the world with his sophomore album, also called "Do You Believe Me Now." The album is far from traditional country arrangements but if anyone has listened to Jimmy's first record they'd know that he's a pop/country artist. Meaning many of the melodic arrangements are `pop' while his lyrics are country. It is those lyrics that drive the album, from the declarations of love on the Rory Feek (of Joey+Rory) and Dave Pahanish-penned "I Will" and "I'll Be That To You" (one of three tracks produced by Mark Bright) to the more personal songs ripped directly from Jimmy Wayne's life: "Kerosene Kid," "Where You're Going" and "I Didn't Come Here To Lose."

Songwriters Joe West and Dave Pahanish co-produced the other nine tracks on the album and they really do seem to enhance Jimmy's pop-sensibility. "Brighter Day" is a song that actually sounds like it could've been from one of Kenny Chensey's albums with a sunny, beach-y optimism in the lyric being backed by a similar melody while "Kerosene Kid" has distorted guitars and an 80's rock vibe but it actually suits the lyrics and mood of the song. Prior to the albums release there was some publicity about Patty Loveless joining Jimmy in the studio for the ballad "No Good For Me." A true duet, the pair actually has remarkable chemistry and their voices blend together nicely. The song actually uses an addict/drug analogy for co-dependency. It's a heart wrenching lyric sung by two strong vocalists.

Lori McKenna and Liz Rose co-wrote the ballad "True Believer" and in true Lori McKenna fashion, the song has a strong, reality-based lyric about being someone who holds to the hope of true love. While Jimmy didn't write "I Didn't Come Here to Lose" (Jason Sellers, Wendell Mobley and Neil Thrasher did) he has certainly lived the lyric about believing in yourself and your ability enough to stand up and fight for your opportunity to `make it' in your chosen career. The hook of the chorus is strong and immediate, something that's also present in the autobiographical "Where You're Going," a song that has become Jimmy Wayne's personal motto: It's not where you've been, It's Where You're Going."

The album closes out with re-recorded versions of Jimmy's biggest hits "Stay Gone" and "I Love You This Much." With the release of "Do You Believe Me Now" Jimmy Wayne has gotten through the tough times and come out of it with a batch of strong country/pop songs that showcase a truly gifted and honest performer. The melodies may not be arranged in the way of a Hank Williams song or even a George Strait song but that's part of the appeal of the album. It's a modern country album for modern country tastes.

Carrie Pitzer, Norfolk Daily News
His first album in five years, Jimmy Wayne shows the energy of a new artist, the hunger of a career relaunching and the ear of a veteran. And that combination is why "Do You Believe Me Now" is one of the best albums of the year in all genres. Opening with the title track - currently a Billboard top five - Wayne's passionate vocals are stunningly intermingled with a breathtaking arrangement. Produced by Mark Bright, Joe West and Dave Pahanish, the trio enhanced Wayne's already versatile voice with picture-perfect production throughout, from dashing guitar riffs to a caressing fiddle and dramatic piano. Mostly mid- and uptempo songs, including five new songs Wayne wrote himself, he runs the gamut of emotions - determined to find success in "I Didn't Come Here To Lose," a giving lover in "I'll Be That" and a man trying to understand a failed relationship in the powerful, romantic duet "No Good For Me" with the legendary Patty Loveless. Wayne's personal triumph from a difficult childhood to stardom is well documented, but telling his story in "Where You're Going" and "Kerosene Kid," the power in his voice and emotion of the situation could only be captured by someone who lived through the detention centers, trailer houses and laughter of schoolmates. Wayne makes you feel exactly what he felt then and now. As a bonus, Wayne re-recorded hits "Stay Gone" and "I Love You This Much." "Do You Believe Me Now" is one of the most powerful albums recorded in years. With passionate vocals, perfect arrangements and incredibly lyrics, an album of this genius was worth the wait.

Brian Mansfield, USA Today
3 stars Comeback country

Wayne, who sings like country's answer to Daryl Hall, currently enjoys his first hit in three years with this album's title track, a massive ballad that puts an appealing spin on self-pity. His fallow years have made him eager to please, if a touch insecure, or maybe that's a result of a brutal childhood. Wayne doesn't shy from singing about his raising, and he turns those stories into motivational messages. Those lessons likely are the same ones that helped bring him back from the brink of obscurity, and, if this album's any indication, we haven't heard the last of him.

About the Artist
Character, creativity and an unbridled passion for life infuse Jimmy Wayne's music and reverberate through every track on Do You Believe Me Now, his debut on The Valory Music Co. "It's definitely a change," Jimmy says of his new effort. "The record that I put together only has two ballads on it and that's it. Everything else is up-tempo. I spent three years trying to find these songs that just really set me apart." Writing and finding songs that weren't just good, but truly unique became Jimmy's mission as he recorded his new project. He succeeds in crafting an album of songs that resonate strongly with audiences because of the honesty in the lyrics and the catchy melodies that make listeners immediately want to sing along. Each song on the project is brought vividly to life by Jimmy's strong, soulful voice. It's a potent instrument that conveys every nuance of a great lyric. In a few short years, Jimmy Wayne has developed a reputation as a "singer's singer," someone respected by his peers for his ability to deliver a song with an abundance of passion and personality that make each performance instantly memorable. Yet when asked what has brought him this far, Jimmy doesn't mention his voice or his energetic stage show, he brings it all back to the songs. "I think it's just the fact that I tell the truth," he says of his music's appeal. "People love to hear somebody stand on the stage and sing something that's real. I give the people that come with their hard earned money a hundred percent of everything that I could possibly give them. It's clear to me that what I've experienced, I've experienced for a reason and maybe that's my calling is to tell that story. This is it. I don't have a Plan B." He doesn't need a Plan B. Ever since a Nashville publishing executive first heard him in his home state of North Carolina and offered the young artist a deal with Opryland Music Group, Jimmy's career has been on the fast track. He moved to Nashville and began getting cuts by artists like Tracy Byrd ("Put Your Hand in Mine") and soon after landed a record deal with Dreamworks Records when music industry veteran Scott Borchetta signed him to the label. His 2003 Dreamworks debut spawned four hits-- "I Love You This Much" "You Are," and "Stay Gone," with the latter tune peaking at No. 3 on Billboard's Country Singles chart. The poignant "Paper Angels" spotlighted the plight of abused and abducted children and earned Jimmy the William Booth Award from the Salvation Army.

"I've always wanted to sing, write and play," says Jimmy. "I played at cookouts and everything I could around my hometown. It didn't matter what it was or if it was for two or three people, I would play anywhere and everywhere." It's that passion for making music and that dedicated work ethic that fuel Jimmy's career. Once signed to the Valory Music Co., he set about writing and searching for songs that would populate the next step on his musical journey. Jimmy's first album was an amalgam of songs that reflected his turbulent youth and the emotional strength he gained from his experiences as a foster child and then later as a homeless teen. It was a portrait of a survivor that resonated strongly with country audiences hungry for real music that addressed both life's toughest moments and most tender joys.

Jimmy Wayne believes in the power of music to inspire and entertain and he's devoted his life to doing both. He still can't believe he's living a dream come true. "I remember the first time I heard `Stay Gone' on the radio," says Jimmy. "I was with WYQK's Mike Culotta and we were going to get sushi. We were sitting at a traffic light and it came on the radio. I remember rolling the window down and screaming out the window as loud as I could. I couldn't believe it was my song on the radio." He should believe it now because it only takes one listen to that powerful, soul-drenched voice and others become believers too.

Product Description
Do You Believe Me Now is the next step in Jimmy's evolution as an artist. Time on the road has made his voice even stronger and more seasoned. Interaction with the fans has heightened his awareness of what an audience wants when they come to a show. Thus the new album is teeming with up tempo tracks. Jimmy has grown as a songwriter and with maturity comes a broader view of life that informs his music. While his first album was an intensely personal, almost cathartic collection, Jimmy's new songs tend to explore more universal themes, yet still maintain inspiration from an intensely personal place.

Do You Believe Me Now, features the hit single that has re-introduced him to a hungry country radio audience. The rest of the album runs the gamut from the summertime fun of "I'll Do That" to the sensual "One on One" about a couple needing their alone time.

A standout track is certain to be Jimmy's duet with Patty Loveless, titled "No Good For Me." "I hold honesty in lyrics and in vocal performance above all else in my music," he said. "For me, Patty represents the embodiment of honesty in music to which the rest of us can only aspire."

"Didn't Come Here to Lose" is a buoyant tune about not giving up on your musical dreams despite the challenges. "Where You're Going" is an empowering anthem that features a guest vocal by John Oates of the legendary duo Hall & Oates. Jimmy will be a special guest on Oates' forthcoming project.

One of the album's highlights is the autobiographical "Kerosene Kid," a song that holds special significance to Jimmy because of his extensive charity work with disadvantaged youth. "When you smell kerosene on a kid at school, you just know that they have a hard life," says Jimmy. "Usually the kids who heat by a kerosene heater are poor kids. They live in trailers or old houses and that's their only way of staying warm is to either use a kerosene or a wood heater. This song says `Don't let them get you down, keep your head up and stay proud.'"