My Home Town,
 
I didn’t want to write this letter… but it seems like I have to put rumors to rest. Everyone seems to think that Brainerd’s own Nashville Recording Artist, fiddler, touring country singer, Wayne Renn is in JAIL. Well, I’m not. Sadly, my cousin, who’s middle name and last name happen to be the same as mine, IS in jail. Wayne Renn? There couldn't be two.
 
Really, my heart goes out to anyone who has family in jail. I’m not in jail, and have never been in jail, and I hope I never have to go to jail. Times are tough for everyone these days. The economy has put stress on so many families, and bread winners I personally know. 
 
Just to add fuel to the rumor of my incarceration, I moved from my life long home on Maple Street here in Brainerd last year, and people are starting to notice, I’m not there. Like my song said, “Life goes on here on Maple Street” (you can see the music video on youtube.com search: Wayne Renn Maple Street.) So to make things worse, the last few months when I was supposed to have been in jail, I’ve been on the road, touring with my band. We have been playing giant dance clubs in Maryland, West Virginia, Wisconsin, South Dakota, all the way to Wyoming. Having a lot of fun, I might add. 
 
Take when we were in West Virginia, we played at the bar where they filmed the movie “Sweet Dreams” The Patsy Cline Story. And also visited the location where “The Blair Witch Project” was filmed. We even went out into the forest at night to take pictures, too.
 
The place we play in Cheyenne, Wyoming is almost as big as football field. When we play in Casper, I have friends with horses, and get to ride up in the mountains. Now THAT’S the way to see Wyoming. (see pictures at myspace.com/rennproductions) It was a lot of fun. 
 
Sad, while my cousin is sitting in jail, I have been on the road having a great time, AND it sort of breaks my heart. 
 
Rumors started to fly, after my cousins name was printed in the paper, after his arrest. I didn’t see it, but I did hear that “I” was in jail, I wasn‘t sure what was starting the rumor. I assumed after the four week tour the rumor would have died down, but it hasn’t. My sweet mom, has even been getting phone calls saying, they are sorry to hear the news that Wayne is in jail. I personally have taken upwards to 30 calls and e-mails, asking about it. They sure are surprised when I answer! The conversations have been quite funny, with callers beating around the bush to get the information they’re after. I talked to 4 people yesterday that were sure that was me in jail.
 
To the Brainerd Area, I have not been around much. But we did play around home, once during this time period, and that night, I walked in on a large group of people talking about me being in jail. It was sort of funny, and a little awkward, to say the least. I’ve been approached by others who have spent time in jail, and they were ready to support me. People can be pretty cool, too. 
 
My life playing music in bars, happens to be the only job I have ever had. Of course, over the years, friends and acquaintances have gotten in trouble for one reason or the other, and have had to spend time in jail. I have compassion for all of them. As a city, we have to remember, good people make mistakes, too. 
 
Keeping in mind, The Brainerd Police do a wonderful service keeping our streets safe, and should be commended. We all know, drinking and driving is never a very good idea. But going out and having a great time IS a good idea. Ya think!?
 
As rumors have gotten even bigger than “Wayne is in jail“. Others have inadvertently spread rumors that I was selling drugs!! No, not me… actually I am totally homeopathic, and have never gotten into drugs… not even “prescription” drugs. My friends at Natural Food’s in Baxter will tell you that. 
 
Seeing the humor in all of this is easy… but at the expense of mine and my cousins reputations. I want you to know, my cousin is one heck of a great cook, and spent many years cooking at the Country Cookin’ corner café in Nisswa, until it was sold. In his defense, his life has been more difficult than mine. His father (my Uncle) was killed in a car crash just before my cousin was born. That had to be very difficult. There is more to every story than meets the eye, so I sometimes have to just sigh.
 
All in all, Wayne has been a popular name in the Renn family. My father, who passed away in 1979 was named Harland Wayne Renn. My cousin AND his son also have “Wayne Renn” as their middle and last names. So what are the odds of there being 4 Wayne Renn’s in Brainerd? Well, I’m not dead, and I’m not in Jail, See?
 
The truth is, my band will be doing a concert in Brainerd at the Franklin School, Sunday, Oct. 3 for an afternoon performance. Also we are planning to do a concert in Staples at the playground of the Old Lincoln School. I look forward to a great crowd.
 
Hope you all come to see my band perform. I’ve played Las Vegas, and the Nashville Tennessee State Fair, and of course been a regular at the “Mills Free Stage” at the Crow Wing County Fair in Brainerd. I’ve partied with John Rich, Dierks Bentley, Gretchen Wilson, Maureen McCormick (I got a childhood dream come true “hug” from Marcia Brady !) At that Nashville party, Kid Rock and I even sang along to a George Jones song together. For being a starving artist, I am having a great time, too. 
 
In Las Vegas I got to perform center stage with my fiddle hero, Doug Kershaw, at 3 sold out concerts, thank you.
 
My whole family is in The Wayne Renn Band, and they’re all wonderful musicians. My older brother, Ernie Renn (Steel guitar and guitar), my son, Steve Renn (drums), and my daughter, Lyla Renn (bass guitar), and then of course me (fiddle and guitar). My Mom, Minnie Renn even still gets up and sings once in a while. She rocks, and has a hug you just want to grab!
 
LIFE… So, please pass on the news, Wayne Renn isn’t in jail. God bless “family” and everyone who has a friend or relative in Jail. Of course bless those who are actually in there, doing time, You know we’re all a work in progress, in one way or another. Check out my band schedule and videos at WAYNERENN.COM , sign the guestbook. Make sure to say hello when we are in the area, one and all. 
 
It‘s nice to be free,
Wayne Renn… cheers !"