by Lisa Kiser
You may not have heard of Jimmy Wayne, but when you do, you won’t believe your ears. After becoming hopelessly addicted to the title track “Do You Believe Me Now” I decided to purchase the album posthaste. Though it’s not your typical twangy country, the sound is different and refreshing, and did not disappoint. “Do You Believe Me Now” is the follow-up to Wayne’s 2003 self-titled debut. In the subsequent time period, his tunes “Stay Gone” and “I Love You This Much” may have slipped your mind, but were quite popular back in the day. After falling victim to the collapse of his old record label, Dreamworks, Wayne is back with a vengeance. His songs fall in the inspirational vein (think “Small” by Carrie Underwood) and I’d be surprised if he doesn’t secure some business from that crowd. His lyrics are dark horse rooting, come-from-behind messages well-executed by Wayne’s controlled and confident vocals. Fans of this artist will appreciate his tenacity when they listen to his sophomore album, and so too will newcomers to his club. He’s got a mellow sound, perhaps comparable to Phil Vassar or Colin Raye. His voice doesn’t scream honky-tonk, a quality that will play well with listeners regardless of their country affiliation or lack thereof, should he enjoy exposure outside the country music realm. Besides “Do You Believe Me Now” other notable tracks include “I Will”, a powerful devotional piece, and “I Didn’t Come Here to Lose.” You definitely get the feeling that this guy’s gotten a lot of doors slammed in his face, and that’s too bad. He’s quality, and you can expect good things to come from Wayne in the future. And bonus – if you do decide to pick up “Do You Believe Me Now” you’ll also get “Stay Gone” and “I Love You This Much” off his first album.
