Nashville, TE (TOP40 Charts / The Valory
Music Co.) --
Country star
Jimmy Wayne is back with his new album, SARA SMILE, which lands on stores shelves just in time for the Thanksgiving holiday on Monday, November 23rd.
Wayne's remake of the
Daryl Hall & John Oates pop classic is the centerpiece of an album that showcases his depth and range as a vocalist and a songwriter. The single, which rose to #35 on the country charts this week, is the highest chart debut of Wayne's career - fitting for the song which Wayne has described as his "sword and shield" throughout his career.
"'Sara Smile' is a song I've been singing for 13 years," says Wayne. "I sang it on the prison yard when I worked at the prison. Even though I didn't write it, I sang it at writers' nights in Nashville. It is the song that taught me how to play the guitar. In 2002, I sang 'Sara Smile' for Scott Borchetta, and he gave me a record deal. This song has had a major impact on my life."
"I'm so happy I've finally had the opportunity to record it in a way that does the song proud," Wayne continues. "Dann Huff was able to capture the feel of the live show and having Daryl Hall and John Oates come into the studio to sing background vocals on the new track was icing on the cake."
Wayne, whom Billboard recently lauded as "easily the most soulful of today's young country crooners," worked with three of the most sought-after producers in Nashville to craft his new album: Dann Huff (Keith Urban, Faith Hill), Mark Bright (Rascal Flatts, Reba McEntire) and Nathan Chapman (Taylor Swift).
"I'm very grateful to have had the chance to work with three of the most talented producers in the business on this new record," says Wayne. "Each day in the studio was a unique and awesome experience. I'm so lucky to be able to do what I love for a living. I don't take any day for granted."
SARA SMILE travels full circle exploring 360 degrees of Wayne's artistry, talent and personality. His soulful singing permeates every note of such soaring, romantic ballads as "All the Time in the World," "Belongs to You" and "Counting the Days" while up-tempo rockers "There's a Memory" and "Things I Believe" (the latter written by Keith Urban and John Shanks) showcase the raw energy experienced at the country star's dynamic live shows.
Having written four of the new songs on SARA SMILE, Wayne's words are gut-wrenching yet uplifting on "Just Knowing You Love Me." He is soft, romantic and dreamy in "Just Look at You." "Elephant Ears," a deeply personal story about a foster child afraid to say, "I love you," is touching and tender. In "I'll Never Leave You," he finds a new way to explore a loving relationship.
The release of SARA SMILE tops off what has been an extraordinary year for Jimmy Wayne. "Do You Believe Me Now" soared to the top of the country charts, landing at #1 for three weeks and becoming one of the biggest hits of 2008-2009. In June he joined the American Saturday Night Tour alongside Brad Paisley and Dierks Bentley, which included a stop at Madison Square Garden this past Wednesday.
Wayne's musical track record boasts a string of hits, including "Stay Gone" (#3); "I Love You This Much" (#6); and the Top 20 hits "Paper Angels," "I Will," and "You Are," all co-written by the star. Jimmy's recent accolades include People Country's "Hot Guy of the Month," TV Guide's "Sexy Country Stars of 2008," and one of Country Weekly's "10 Hottest Bachelors of 2009." He is currently one of Nashville Lifestyles' "25 Most Beautiful People of 2009." Wayne was also deemed one of music's "Next Big Things" by USA Today, and one of People magazine's "Sexiest Singers" in 2003.
SARA SMILE is available for pre-sale at https://thevalorymusicco.com/jimmywayne/index.cfm?id=34
SARA SMILE track listing:
1. "Things I Believe" (Keith Urban / John Shanks)
2. "All the Time in the World" (Steve Robson / Hillary Lindsey)
3. "Sara Smile" featuring Daryl Hall & John Oates (Daryl Hall / John Oates)
4. "Just Knowing You Love Me" (Jimmy Wayne / Brett Beavers / Tony Martin)
5. "Just Look at You" (Jimmy Wayne / Bob Regan)
6. "Counting the Days" (Andrea Stolpe / John Kennedy / Steve Robson)
7. "There's a Memory" (Sean McConnell / Clint Lagerberg)
8. "Belongs to You" (Rivers Rutherford / Dave Berg / Tom Shapiro)
9. "I'll Never Leave You" (Jimmy Wayne)
10. "Elephant Ears" (Jimmy Wayne / Don Henry)
