Keavin Wiggins of antiMusic highlighted Jim Waneka’s song “A Different Man”

Here is the story:

A Different Man came in an early Sunday morning dream on July 19th, 2020. It was a very powerful dream with a melody and words all flowing through me in a matter of a few minutes. Without picking up my guitar I knew what the song sounded like and how it would be arranged.

There comes a time when a struggling artist must choose between taking a chance on a dream or settling down to meet the harsh demands of life. In his mid-thirties, Jim Waneka made the tough decision to abandon his guitar and musical talent as he focused on raising a family. However, when a dream burns so bright, it can often forge a new path that one may not have expected.

In his new single “A Different Man,” country singer Jim Waneka creates a vivid story of the American soldier as so many of us have known firsthand using so much more with lyrics – for this songwriter, verses are but a single layer atop which to build a complete portrait. There’s a sensitivity to the voice, the harmony, and the very stride of the percussion behind Waneka in this performance that speaks directly to his intimacy with the narrative he’s developing, and best of all, it has the melodic sensibilities of a track made specifically for country puritans like myself.

With only two songs yet released, Jim Waneka has easily surpassed the quarter-million listens mark in just over two months, a surprisingly quick timeframe for a new artist to achieve that number. “I Ride Alone” dropped July 30th and “A Different Man” followed on August 28th. Fan comments show a deep appreciation for the heartfelt stories Jim tells, along with Johnny Cash-like vocals and veteran musicianship on the songs.

This is the 20th year since the deadliest foreign attack on US soil – and a time for reflection. The attacks that day were perpetrated by those who sought to spread hatred, fear, and to destroy our democracy and our way of life. Those acts of war against America required the strongest possible response, and our dedicated military service members responded quickly and bravely.

Honoring all of our Veterans, today Jim Waneka posted the music video for his stirring and heartfelt tribute song, “A Different Man.” It is the story of a soldier returning home from combat in Afghanistan, and his struggles leaving the battlefield behind to resume his life. The song will be released on August 27th.

Both timeless and timely, “A Different Man” shares lasting truths that have once again become apparent as our troops are coming home from Afghanistan. That truth is reflected in the opening line, “He came back from serving his country a different man.”

Jim Waneka is answering a call that came to him two years ago, starting him on an entirely new path for his life, including an often-painful rebirth of his unparalleled music and commanding voice that some have compared to a young Johnny Cash, and songs that are reminiscent of Dwight Yoakam, George Straight, Merle Haggard, and Garth Brooks. Compelled to follow this powerful guiding spirit, Jim picked up a guitar and revisited his childhood passion for music, to the delight of new fans who are glad to see him pick up where he left off long ago.

Jim Waneka is poised to burst upon the Country and Americana music charts this week with an irresistible rocking song titled “I Ride Alone.” Available Friday, July 30th on all streaming channels, this will be the first of Jim’s many upcoming new songs, six of which will be featured on an EP later this year.

While this is Jim’s first release, Jim actually began performing professionally at age five, when patrons at a local venue in Colorado took up a collection as payment for his impromptu vocal performance. The next year he won the first singing contest he entered.