b. New Orleans, USA. Wayne was a blues singer and drummer who was discovered by Stan Lewis. As James Waynes, he recorded for Bob Shad’s Sittin In With label in Houston in 1950. Among the titles released by Shad were ‘Junco Partner’ and ‘Tend To Your Business’, a big R&B hit in 1951. Wayne next joined Imperial Records, recording with Lee Allen’s studio band in New Orleans from 1951-52. These tracks, including ‘When Night Falls’ and ‘Two Faced Woman’, were issued under the name Wee Willie Wayne. After a 1954 session in Los Angeles for Aladdin Records where he sang ‘Crying In Vain’, Wayne recorded ‘Travelin’ Mood’ (Imperial 1955), which became popular in the New Orleans area. He continued to perform locally and in 1961 made a new version of ‘Tend To Your Business’ for Imperial, who issued an album of his work the following year. Wayne subsequently left the music business and in the late 60s was reported to be hospitalized, suffering from a mental illness.