Introduction
“Cryin’ for Me (Wayman’s Song)” is a heartfelt tribute by American country artist Toby Keith, dedicated to his close friend, Wayman Tisdale—a renowned basketball player and jazz musician who passed away on May 15, 2009. Released in October 2009 as the second single from Keith’s album “American Ride,” the song showcases a blend of country and jazz elements, featuring prominent saxophone accompaniment by Dave Koz.
The inspiration for this poignant ballad stemmed from Keith’s profound grief over Tisdale’s death. Initially intending to perform the song at Tisdale’s funeral, Keith found himself too overcome with emotion and instead chose to honor his friend with a rendition of Willie Nelson’s “Angel Flying Too Close to the Ground.”
Critically, the song was well-received. Ken Tucker of Billboard praised Koz’s saxophone contribution as a “perfect accompaniment” to the tender composition, while Whitney Pastorek of Entertainment Weekly described it as a “sweet tribute to a friend who passed away.”
Commercially, “Cryin’ for Me (Wayman’s Song)” resonated with audiences, peaking at number 6 on the US Billboard Hot Country Songs chart.
The accompanying music video, directed by Michael Salomon, premiered on CMT on November 2, 2009, further amplifying the song’s emotional impact.
In essence, “Cryin’ for Me (Wayman’s Song)” stands as a testament to the deep bond between Toby Keith and Wayman Tisdale, capturing the essence of friendship, loss, and the enduring power of music to convey heartfelt emotions.