Headshot by Michael Kelly Photography
We had the wonderful opportunity to chat with Wayne. Check out the interview below.
Hi, Wayne! Thank you for speaking with us about your amazing portfolio of work. Tell us what inspired you to begin a career in entertainment.
From the first moment I stepped in front of an audience as a child and sang ‘Leaning on a Lamppost’, at a school play, I was hooked! I loved the thrill of being on stage. I love the whole creative process. Whether it be as an actor creating and developing a character or as a vocalist expressing an emotion through a song. The urge to ‘tell a story’ and ‘express’ a feeling or emotion is very strong in me.
You also sing. You prefer the “Rat Pack” style of Frank Sinatra. Why Frank?
I love the music of Sinatra and the Rat Pack. I love the whole style sound and feel of that era and love to keep that authentic style in my performances. Although I am not a Sinatra impersonator I like to pay tribute to him and the rest of the great artists of that style and era through the music.
Frank Sinatra was The Voice of the century and he had such an amazing body of work to leave as an example of his amazing vocal abilities. He was also inspiring in his charity work which is another trait of his that I share a passion for.
You are noted as one of the finest “Rat Pack” vocalists in the UK. That’s an honor. What has been your biggest achievement, thus far?
One of my biggest achievements was performing in Las Vegas. To sing where Sinatra and the Rat Pack once performed was an amazing feeling – one I am most proud of and will never forget. I often perform at large corporate events and one of the highlights of that, as a boxing fan, was performing for the heavyweight champion of the world, Tyson Fury. Performing at my own wedding was a personal highlight too!
You released two singles in the Irish country music genre. The songs are the popular classic ballad “Danny Boy” and also the popular Charlie Landsborough hit “What Colour Is The Wind.” Why did you choose those two songs?
The reason I first recorded the Irish ballad ‘Danny Boy’ was to pay tribute to my father, who was Irish and was the person who taught me to sing as a child. It was his favorite song and I added my ‘Sinatra-esque’ style to it. After its release, I recorded Charlie Landsborough’s hit ‘What Colour Is The Wind’ for no other reason than I think its an absolutely beautiful song. I didn’t think the song would benefit from my usual style of singing and so I just simply sung it as it was originally written. I’m of the opinion that if something isn’t broken, don’t try to fix it!
OK, let’s talk performances. Tell us what the audience should expect.
I like my audience to feel as if they are guests in my home. I want them to forget the outside world and get caught up in the music and the lyrics of the songs I perform. I want them to be free to ‘feel something’ from each song. My audience should always expect to feel valued and that they are very much appreciated. After all, if there was no audience there would be no artist!
Do you have any special projects in the works?
I will be performing next month at a high profile charity event at the Hilton Manchester. I’m also an actor and currently auditioning for roles.
Thus far, what has been the best experience in the music industry?
Being in the music industry has allowed me to perform for various charities and worthy causes. Be it from my live performances or from donations of sales from my singles, it is estimated I have helped raise around a quarter of a million pounds for charity.
Complete this sentence, if I had an opportunity to do anything I want, I would do ___________.
If I had an opportunity to do anything I want, I would be a full-time actor!
Connect with Wayne:
Spotlight: www.spotlight.com/5891-7836-1043
Web: www.waynedevlin.com
Twitter: www.twitter.com/MrWayneDevlin
Facebook: www.facebook.com/mrwaynedevlin
Instagram: www.instagram.com/mrwaynedevlin
Featured Image Credit: Headshot by Michael Kelly Photography.
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