About Carl 

Wayne Meekins

Born in Chesapeake, Virginia, Carl Wayne Meekins knew he loved music early on when he and his brother found their father’s drums in the attic. Carl Wayne would grow up to become a musician himself, touring and playing honky-tonks, fairs, and festivals. He loved every minute, but after years of performing so many genres of music, including everything from rock to Motown and pop, it was always country music that Carl connected with the most. That connection inspired him and his wife Tonya to move to Nashville, where they and their daughter Carlie have lived for over 20 years now. 
 
And while living in the music capital, Meekins has built a successful remodeling business. However, in 2020, he almost died from Covid. He then made a promise to God and himself to pursue music with an added focus. So, he’s been back out there in front of audiences. In fact, he’s got a new EP due out in the Spring, and his recent song, called “Pebble”, emphasizes the impact one can have in the world through simple acts of kindness.
 
The song is very much in step with the way Meekins lives his life. He has an optimistic view of the world and enjoys giving back. In fact, Meekins has given away over 65 guitars in the past couple of years, usually at music festivals, racetracks, and rodeos, where he performs the National Anthem. Most recently, he’s given a guitar to the Virginia Beach Chapter of Guitars 4 Vets.
 
The giveaways are part of his “Play it Forward” campaign. Meekins explains, “Someone gifted me a guitar early on in my life when I couldn’t afford one, and it changed my world forever. Now I can give back.”
 
Carl Wayne’s motto for 2025 is the same as it’s been in previous years, which is: “LET’S GET IT!” Meaning, let’s make some good things happen!

Carl Wayne’s signature wrap-around-you voice and buoyant tone convey a fusion of contemporary and traditional country sound that, over the years, has garnered him fans of every age. With this latest release, Carl Wayne says he’s never been so excited to share his stories and music.

“I’ve done a lot of living since I started making music,” says Carl Wayne. “These days, what drives me is touching people’s hearts with honest words or inspiring someone to do what they were born to do —whenever they get the chance to do it.”

Carl Wayne might know a thing or two about following your passion since he started chasing his at just five years old. That’s when he uncovered a set of hot pink sparkling drums in the family attic. Nearby was an old box spilling over with old photographs of two young guys in a band playing their hearts out. The faces in those photos — Carl learned later — were his dad and his Uncle Bill. And while Carl Wayne’s dad didn’t stay around to raise or mentor him in music, the sheer joy captured in those photos lit a fire in that five-year-old that ignited his soul.

A born and bred Virginia boy, Carl Wayne soon started entertaining kids in the cul-de-sac. Later, he and his twin brother or friends became the kings of the talent shows and sock hops. Growing up, he spent weekends laying on the floor in front of his mom’s living room stereo console. He wore out the vinyl (and the neighbor’s patience) on every record from Elvis to Elton, Van Halen to Donna Summer, and Kiss to Glen Campbell.

As a young musician and front man, Carl Wayne made a living touring with several bands in his early career. He faithfully did the rounds playing the Honkey Tonks, fairs, and festivals and loved every minute. But after years of toying in every genre, from rock to Motown to pop, country music clearly owned Carl Wayne’s soul. That love inspired him and Tonya to move to Nashville, where they would soon add the bigger love of their life, daughter Carlie.

Over the years, Carl Wayne has found a way to keep making music somehow between raising a family and running a full-time contracting business.

Nowadays (when life allows), you can catch Carl Wayne playing local stages, hanging out and honing his craft with some of Music City’s most talented musicians, or leading worship at his church
outside Nashville.

Carl Wayne’s music can be found on

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