Now booking for 2022!
Coffee house, listening rooms and house concerts preferred.
Sound can be provided, or venue sound, even acoustic.
Here's a great article from Hoopla Magazine!
Releasing in March 2022, "Temptation Row" delivers seven new original songs in Rock, Folk, and Classic Country and one absolute folk classic done in Wayne's unique style, and solidifies his reputation as a consummate storyteller.
Artist Information
Genre: Acoustic Pop/Folk/Americana - what you might hear on XM's Coffeehouse
Hometown: Fort Worth, TX originally from Detroit MI
Influences: Tom Petty, Gordon Lightfoot, Kenny Rankin, Acoustic Alchemy, Stephen Stills, Lindsay Buckingham, Joni Mitchell.
Sounds like: We've heard Dan Seals, Vince Gill or Dan Fogelberg - kinda. He definitely does the best Wayne Willingham on the planet.
Biography
After 26 years, Wayne Willingham walked away from music, talented and successful, but disillusioned, bored, jaded, aimless. He changed careers, and achieved more than he ever thought possible. In late 2014, after nearly two decades away, he decided to pick up his guitar and try to knock off some of the rust. It worked.
The rust is gone; In its place, he rediscovered his own distinct sound, the passion of his earliest career, and most of all, his creative muse. He's now writing his own songs and telling his own stories. With three previous albums since 2017, each carefully-crafted song is unique, deeply personal, and resonates with listeners. They're sincere, playful, serious, and some just make you feel good. Wayne was named as "One to Watch" by the Nashville Songwriters Association, for "The Ring", title song from his third album. "All That Matters is Love" has been included on the international compilation "Songs for Social Change". And Thanksgiving 2020 brought the release of "The Stonehill Sessions" album - recorded mostly at his home during the pandemic. He's not slowing down.
March 2022 will bring "Temptation Row", an eight-song album of story songs. One song, "Dancing with Him" has already won an award from The Fort Worth Songwriters Association.
Always a strong solo performer but not interested in night clubs or honky-tonks, Wayne returned to his roots - the coffeehouse/listening room atmosphere. He finally has the musical career he originally intended, and it's not for the applause or the ego or the money; This time, it's personal. Wayne tours to bring his music to listeners all over the country. The voice is still there - perhaps clearer and more expressive. The hands are back - and then some. The stage presence of a seasoned veteran, and that one thing that was missing before his sabbatical: The sheer joy.
Previous Releases
In “The Ring”, his third album since coming out of musical retirement, Wayne lifts his writing, arranging, and recording skills to a higher, more masterful level.
2020 release "The Stonehill Sessions" blends Wayne's trademark relationship songs and poignant comedic stories, and a stunning wedding vow song suitable for any ceremony.
Reviews (more)
Right from the beginning of his set, Wayne drew the full house crowd in with his larger than life spirit and old friends’ approach to performing. It was Wayne’s house and crowd all night as he connected with heartfelt stories and songs of loves, battles and causes won and lost. His vocals were right on target and his guitar playing the perfect accompaniment – elegant and clean, obviously the product of decades of playing. His wry and wise observations about life and its ups and downs served as great transitions and introductions all night long, over two hours of great music.
- Bob Schmucker, 3rd Street Coffeehouse Roanoke, VA
We were fortunate to host a house concert featuring Mr. Wayne Willingham. Wow! What a performance! Wayne is a FANTASTIC singer-songwriter and performer, blending humor in with his stories. I don't know where he finds the energy, but he drove a long way to get here and sang for nearly 2 hours... We would welcome him back with open arms anytime. I highly recommend you get to one of his shows, if you can't get to a show, create one! If you can't do that, buy his CDs.
- Marie Tyler, CommuniTea House Concerts Glen Burnie, MD
The thing about your love songs is that there is optimism without foolishness, heartbreak without anger. Knowing that this is you is so admirable. "I can still recall when I heard about Eliza. It's nobody's fault, these things happen time to time." Content-wise, that's up there with "Children of a Lesser God."'
- A fan, Bossier City, LA
Audio / Video Links
Click here for Wayne's YouTube Channel
Video - Preview of "The Stonehill Sessions" album
Lyric Video - All That Matters (El Paso 2019) - dedicated to the victims
Live Video - Portland - award-winner from the Album "The Ring"
Audio - LIVE at 3rd Street Coffeehouse in Roanoke Virginia - September 13, 2019
Audio - One Day - Wayne's homage to DooWop songs of the fifties
Audio - YOYO, title song from the album
Audio - Rise and Shine, from the album YOYO
Audio - I've Got Your Back, from the album Stayed in Love Too Long
All Four Albums can be heard on Soundcloud or at www.waynewillingham.com/listen
Online
Contact / Booking
Email: booking@waynewillingham.com
Phone: 817.874.7830