Born in Alexandria, Louisiana. Waynewood is a vocalist, producer, guitarist, writer, and engineer. Waynewood is a mysterious artist and doesn’t show his face but it’s easy to spot his vocal once you’ve heard him on a few tracks. Waynewood brings a rock style vocal to many genres including hip-hop, but personally this is my favorite sound from him. His music may not be for everyone to enjoy or like but he acknowledges that. For the ones that do understand it, it hits home. We had the opportunity to interview Waynewood here is what he had to say.

1: Can you tell us a story about what brought you to this specific career path?

Waynewood– 3 years ago I was diagnosed with Schizophrenia then later Bipolar 1 with Psychotic features. Since the majority of Psychologists I visited where simply Psychiatrist pawns I decided to make the mic my Psychologist. I simply do music for own sanity.

2: Can you share the most interesting story that happened to you since you started this career?

Waynewood– I would say having my song Demon on My Chest on a #1 ABC show called “For Life” by 50 Cent. It was pretty wild hearing a song I wrote actually on mainstream television.

3: Can you share a story about the funniest mistake you made when you were first starting? Can you tell us what lesson you learned from that?

Waynewood– Trying to use auto tune to disguise my horrible voice or what I myself thought was horrible. I have to thank my fans for giving me the confidence to show more of my real vocal. If not for them I’d still be mostly robot lol.

4: What are some of the most interesting or exciting projects you are working on now?

Waynewood– I have folk project I’m producing and playing mostly real instruments on coming later in the year. Pretty excited about that one.

5: Who are some of the most interesting people you have interacted with? What was that like? Do you have any stories?

Waynewood– I Helped a fellow artist work with Tory Lanez on a song called Surrender by JavyDade. Tory took the money then went ghost when we needed clearance on the record. Beware he’s shady people you may think are interesting. I’ve also directly worked with Call Me Karizma, Lil Xan, and Love Ghost who were all extremely professional and interesting to work with. Shout out to them for making music not simply a business.

6: Which tips would you recommend to your colleagues in your industry to help them to thrive and not “burn out”?

Waynewood– To be honest… Say F$ck genres and make the music you feel at the time. Genres control creative thought and should not exist to the artist imo.

7: You have been blessed with success in a career path that can be challenging. Do you have any words of advice for others who may want to embark on this career path, but seem daunted by the prospect of failure?

Waynewood– Failing is part of growing. You must fail quickly to grow quickly. Trust your gut & create what you feel you should create. Sometimes my biggest failures are my biggest victories down the road.  Do not let fear drive you, drive your fear until it does not exist.

8: Can you share with our readers any self-care routines, practices or treatments that you do to help your body, mind or heart to thrive? Kindly share a story or an example for each.

Waynewood– Creating Music heals my soul. Working out keeps my body strong & the thought of me actually existing helps me thrive. Think about it? What are the odds of actually existing? Not sure the exact number but it has to be much lower than winning the lottery.

9: What are your “5 things I wish someone told me when I first started” and why. Please share a story or example for each.

Waynewood– Nothing. I have to fail and do things my way until I understand what it is I’m doing in my own way. This is just the way I learn. I am a visual thinker so if I cannot see it in mind it’s tough to make it happen.

10: Can you please give us your favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? Can you share how that was relevant to you in your life?

Waynewood- My biological dad once called me when I was 13 and told me “you are just like my brother, I don’t like you but it is my job to call you” and my adopted dad told me “you won’t amount to anything unless you pick up a shovel” Those quotes may be negative but the drive me.

11: None of us are able to achieve success without some help along the way. Is there a particular person who you are grateful towards who helped get you to where you are? Can you share a story about that?

Waynewood- My grandmother for saving me as a young child. Without her I would not be here today.

12: You are a person of enormous influence. If you could start a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger. 🙂

Waynewood- The importance of personal freedom and liberty. People have to quit following bought and paid for ideas that control them. To be a true individual & creative you have to have your own thoughts and visions. Most of the so called creative I see on TV and Social just say the same things over and over so I know they are simply paid off actors not creative. I would urge people to support independent artists as much as possible.

13: We are very blessed that some of the biggest names in Business, VC funding, Sports, and Entertainment read this column. Is there a person in the world, or in the US whom you would love to have a private breakfast or lunch with, and why? He or she might see this. 🙂

Waynewood- Kanye West would be the only one just because I love how he speaks his mind rather than letting fear control his mouth. Even when I disagree with him I respect the bravery as it’s refreshing.

14 How can our readers follow you online?

Waynewood- Please follow me on Spotify and Instagram.