It was a while ago, that I met this young singer from North Carolina. I was given 2 VIP passes for the annual Charlie Daniels Benefit Concert, to benefit the Angelus.

This was a multi-day event, with the VIP / Artist kick-off party on Friday night, concert on Saturday, etc. My friend and I made the 2 hour drive down to Clearwater for the party. we left earlier enough, because I was going to get to sit down and talk to the man himself..The living legend.. MR. CHARLIE DANIELS.

As I was walking around the resort, and heading over to get my credentials, I came across a program for the event, and that's when I saw a new singer name Jimmy Wayne, signed to the same label as Toby Keith.

Several hours later, at the party..I met Jimmy Wayne, and shot some pictures as he performed for the guests. Wayne would still be performing at Saturday's mult-artist concert.

One of the song's Wayne sung at the party, was a song that helped land his record deal, the Hall & Oates classic "Sara Smile".

After Wayne's Saturday performance, he grabbed a chair, headed over to a fence, sitting on the outside of it..and signed autographs and posed for pictures, until no one else was left in line.

After the autographs and pics, we headed to his trailer to talk, and to shoot a few pics.

Three months later, I heard that Jimmy Wayne was going to be one of five country artists at the NARM convention in Orlando. I headed over to the convention, chatted up some artist and shot pictures of Lisa Marie Presley.

I head off to the convention concession area, grabbed a softdrink..and found out seat to relax. About 10 minutes later, I spy Jimmy Wayne arriving at the convention. Wayne comes over and says "Hi David, Can I get you something at Starbucks"?

Since that day, I've been even a bigger fan and supporter.