Nashville or Bust!

As a small boy Wayne would sit on his Grandpa's knee and listen to the Grand Ole Opry as it was broadcast over the airwaves. His Grandparents used loving blackmail when Wayne wouldn't do his exercises they would say "No exercises, no Grand Ole Opry". Wayne would exercise like mad just so he could sit and enjoy the music. As he was sitting on his Grandad's knee he was already starting to dream of going to Nashville, Tennessee just to meet all these happy people! He set his sights on Nashville and nothing was going to stop him.

During Wayne's 57 years, he made a total of 5 trips to Nashville. Each trip showed him backstage at the Grand Ole Opry. Wayne was one of the family! He loved it there. His last trip to Nashville was January 1997. He sat on stage along side George Hamilton IV on the circle of wood while George sang Wayne's song, Circle of Wood. The Opry cast did back up vocals. This was a very emotional and ecstatic moment for Wayne. The fulfillment of a lifetime ambition and seeing his dream of dreams unfolding in front of his eyes was a very rewarding ending to a career he loved so very much!

Wayne on stage at the Grand Ole Opry