Jimmy Wayne Performs for Veterans With Musicians on Call

Jimmy Wayne made Veterans Day extra special for one particular group of heroes this year when he visited the Nashville VA’s healthcare facilities with Musicians on Call (MOC), a nonprofit organization that brings live and recorded music to patients’ bedsides around the country.

Wayne performed several of his tunes, including “Sara Smile” and “Do You Believe Me Now” as the first visit in MOC’s partnership with the Grand Ole Opry and its Circle Throwdown, which brings impromptu performances with Opry artists and a replica of the iconic six-food Opry Circle of wood symbolizing the oak center stage at the Opry House to new locations across the U.S.

MOC serves veterans in VA hospital facilities as part of its ongoing efforts, and the organization’s volunteers have performed for more than 23,000 veterans and family members since its founding in 1999. It recently held the kickoff Rock the Room t]Rour fundraiser in Nashville featuring Martina McBride, Reba McEntire and Kelsea Ballerini, which continues with additional stops in cities around the country, including New York City, Los Angeles and Washington, D.C. The Nashville show raised $130,000 for the organization and featured a special duet between McEntire and McBride for “Does He Love You." Many country artists have donated their time and talent to MOC over the years, including Lady Antebellum, Lauren Alaina, Darius Rucker, and Kelly Clarkson.

Wayne recently released his second book, titled Walk to Beautiful, a memoir about his journey bouncing between foster homes as a young teen, then living on the streets after aging out of the system, finally to end up with a career as a chart-topping singer-songwriter. He walked halfway across the country and began a charity titled Meet Me Halfway to raise awareness about homeless teens in America. He continues to advocate for kids in foster care, particularly those who will age out. For more information about Meet Me Halfway, visit the organization's website.