Jimmy Wayne in Allentown Review

15 years ago Liv Carter Comments Off on Jimmy Wayne in Allentown Review

One of our readers, and my sweet friend, Leigh Ann wrote a very detailed review of the Jimmy Wayne show she went to last week in Allentown, PA. Sounds like we all missed quite the night!

Jimmy Wayne
Crocodile Rock
Allentown, PA
February 22, 2009

This was my first time seeing Jimmy Wayne live and it most definitely will not be my last! Crocodile Rock is a small venue so it was a more intimate setting and a great way to see him. The first treat was when the curtain rose and there he was in a red button-down shirt, rather than his usual t-shirt, and to top it off, he was following the three button rule – what a cutie!!! He commented a little later on in the show about his clothes. It was more so directed at the guys in the crowd. He said in a very red-neck voice, “You guys out there are probably thinking who does this guy think he is, jumping all around up here on that stage, and in a red shirt – who wears a red shirt – you wouldn’t catch me in a red shirt!! Someone needs to go knock him down a peg or two.” It was really quite funny!

He was full of energy and immediately started playing to the crowd. You could see his face light up when he recognized some faces in the crowd. He later thanked those that have followed and supported him over the years. I loved seeing him play his “Kerosene Kid” guitar, he truly is talented! A few songs into the show, Jimmy mentioned the Steelers and their big win this year. He said that if we got a little crazy he might even put on his Steelers jersey. The crowd complied, so he yelled for Zack, his road manager, to go get his jersey off the bus.

When he sang “I Will” he put so much of himself into it that I could feel myself holding my breath as I listened to the words as he sang. He also was so great when he introduced and thanked each of his band members. He made sure to showcase each one of them during the show and told stories of how he met each of them. He has a very talented band that really played to the crowd.

It was now a song or two since he had asked Zack to get his jersey. He yelled back stage to see if Zack was there but Jake (his awesome fiddle player) said he had him on his cell phone and Zack couldn’t find it. Jimmy got the cell phone and put it on speaker phone and up to his mike so that we could hear the conversation. He describes to Zack exactly where it is on the bus, going into great detail as to which compartment and which garment bag and Zack still can’t find it, it was quite comical. Jimmy said he’d come find it himself but of course we scream that we’re not letting him off the stage, so he laughs and tells Zack to bring the whole garment bag and he will find it himself. At this point, Jimmy starts to sing “Do You Believe Me Now” – it was kind of funny because there were probably some doubters in the crowd as to whether he really owned a Steelers jersey or if he was just saying that. He made it thru the first verse when Zack arrived with the jersey. He actually had both a Steelers jersey and a Steelers t-shirt, I guess he really is a fan. The crowd cheered and Jimmy put on the Jersey. He started “Do You Believe Me Now” over again which was a nice bonus since I love this song as it was the song that I discovered him on. I wish I had heard of him prior to last fall, but I’m just thankful that I discovered him when I did and was able to see him while he is still playing these small venues.

He also sang “Kerosene Kid”, “Stay Gone”, “Where You’re Going” and “I Didn’t Come Here To Lose” from his latest CD. He told the story of how his sister and a bad relationship that she was in had inspired “Stay Gone.” She was working in a factory when it was first released and he called her up when it was going to be aired on the radio for the first time so that she could sneak out to her car so that they could listen to it together as it played. Of course the most emotional story is the story of “Where You’re Going” and how it was a song about him being in jail as a teenager. I have read these stories and heard him tell them in interviews, but nothing is as moving as seeing him stand up there on that stage with so much raw emotion as he relives those memories right there in front of you while singing his songs. If you didn’t love him before this, you can’t help but love him after listening to him speak those words about the hard times in his life and how thankful he is to the couple that took him in and gave him a second chance at life.

The concert was over entirely too fast and because he had gone on late, he didn’t come back out for an encore, but he did stay for pictures and autographs for every fan that stood in line to wait for a moment of his time. What a genuine guy!! It’s kind of a double edge sword though, you wish success and only the best for him, but that also means the end of seeing him in these small venues and the access to him that he is able to offer now. I’m just very thankful that I had the chance to see him and experience a truly wonderful show!

Liv Carter

Liv Carter

Liv is a career coach for creatives, and the people who work with them.
She holds several certificates from Berklee College of Music, and a certificate in Positive Psychology from UC Berkeley.
Her main influences are coffee, cats, and Alexander Hamilton.
Liv Carter

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