Emerging country music artist Timothy Wayne shared with Fox News Digital his lifelong passion for performing. He discussed how his uncle, country music icon Tim McGraw, encouraged him to carve his own path in the industry upon deciding to pursue music professionally.
The LSU student recently signed his first major record deal with UMG and Capitol Records Nashville.
"Performing has always been my dream," Wayne explained. "I thrive on stage. I've never experienced stage fright. I just lacked the belief in my own potential until others expressed their confidence in me. That's when my self-belief began to grow."
Timothy Wayne, an emerging country artist, is produced by his uncle, established country star Tim McGraw. (Tyler Conrad; Indiana Fever)
Wayne, 21, has already released two original tracks, "God Made a Country Boy" and "Guy With a Guitar." He's also received an invitation to perform on the Louisiana state float at the 2025 Rose Bowl Parade, an honor extended by the lieutenant governor of Louisiana.
"I initially thought it was a prank," Wayne admitted about the Rose Bowl invitation. "I wasn't very familiar with the event, but I knew Lainey Wilson had performed there before."
"Receiving this invitation at such an early stage in my career was incredible," he reflected. "Representing my family's home state, the state I love and where I attend school, was a surreal experience."
While benefiting from McGraw's production expertise and that of Byron Gallimore, who has also produced for McGraw and Faith Hill, Wayne maintains creative control. He writes his own music, manages his band, and collaborates with other Nashville songwriters.
"He's incredibly supportive," Wayne said of McGraw. "When I started seriously pursuing music in high school, he offered to produce my work, but with the caveat that I had to build my own career independently."
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Wayne, 21, is a history student at LSU. (Marshall Cunningham)
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Wayne has released two original songs: "God Made a Country Boy" and "Guy With a Guitar." (Marshall Cunningham)
Wayne credits his mother, Sandy Howard (McGraw's sister), with handling much of the logistical and managerial work.
"My mom alleviates a lot of the pressure," he acknowledged. "She ensures everything runs seamlessly before and after performances."
McGraw and Byron Gallimore produce Wayne's music, while Wayne himself takes charge of songwriting, vocals, band management, and other aspects of his career. (Getty Images)
He also credits his parents for introducing him to '80s hairband rock, influencing his musical style and helping him discover his unique sound.
"I'm a huge rock 'n' roll fan," Wayne stated. "Country music is primarily about storytelling, but I enjoy incorporating that extra energy, especially when it's not a romantic ballad."
Wayne toured with McGraw in 2024 and will be joining Lee Brice's tour in 2025. (Marshall Cunningham)
Wayne joined McGraw's "Standing Room Only" tour for six shows earlier this year and is set to perform with Lee Brice in 2025.
"When I received the invitation to join Lee Brice's 'You, Me and My Guitar' show in Mississippi in February, I was thrilled," Wayne shared.
