DIERKS SUPPORTS JIMMY'S JOURNEY

I've been a fan of country music artist Jimmy Wayne since I saw him at SeaWorld in 2004. And although this is a site dedicated to Dierks Bentley, I felt compelled to tell you about Jimmy's journey. Don' worry, Dierks is in this story, too!

As many of you know, Jimmy Wayne, who toured with Dierks Bentley and Brad Paisley last summer, began a bold, solo journey on New Year's Day to bring awareness to teen homelessness. He is walking--with nothing more than a back pack, tent, gloves and a coat, from Nashville, Tennessee to Phoenix, Arizona, in temperatures in the teens over the last few days.

His mission--dubbed the "Meet Me Halfway" campaign (since he is walking halfway across America)--is to to raise awareness of the plight of the homeless, especially at risk children, teens and young adults, but also raise funds for organizations that benefit homeless youth, including HomeBase Youth Services, a Phoenix, AZ -- based organization that provides essentials for homeless young adults.

“I realize beginning a mission like this in the dead of winter and walking through the middle of the country is going to be difficult, but I hope and pray I am up to the challenge,” Wayne said. “It’s going to be cold, rainy and maybe even snowing and that ground I sleep on at night is going to be really hard. But that’s what the homeless are dealing with each and every winter they go without a home of their own."

Teens who are aging out of the foster care system with no place to go, tend to end up homeless. This is a very personal cause for Jimmy, as he found himself in that situation as a teen after growing up in a variety of foster and group homes. He was given a second chance when Bea and Russell Costner gave him a home and fresh start when he was only 16 years old.

Although Jimmy is walking alone, he's had help along the way in the form of food, fellowship from fans and his management/record label.

Dierks Bentley has also offered his support, making donations to the Homebase Youth Services in honor of the Meet Me Halfway campaign (Homebase Youth Services is based in Dierks Bentley's hometown of Phoenix, AZ).

Follow Jimmy on his journey on Twitter.

Click here to watch a video from Fox 17 News in Nashville.

~Ronna
DB Congress Chair