Wayne Messmer

BIO, WAYNE MESSMER

A singular event in Chicago on April 9, 1994 changed Wayne Messmer's life when he was shot during a random act of violence. As the words of the news rippled throughout the Midwest, thousands of people across the country were in shock. Wayne's voice and name is synonymous with the National Anthem in various sports arenas. Each day, the local news shared updates with tens of thousands of his fans.

While in demand as a motivational and inspirational speaker, this life-long, native Chicagoan's career has spanned over three decades as a professional vocalist, radio broadcaster, musical theatre performer, narrator, and voice-over artist. Citing his personal life's experiences, as told in his critically-acclaimed book, The Voice of Victory, Wayne engages the audience by inviting them to join him on his personal path of charting a course in life, citing the roadblocks, detours, setbacks, tragedy and his triumphant recapturing of life.

A master storyteller, Wayne shares the emotional and spellbinding details of his personal experience, igniting a number of thought-provoking moments for the audience. They take each step of that fateful evening through his triumphant recovery. The challenges that followed provided life lessons, which Wayne chronicles for his audiences and gifts them with what is required to earn the Championship C.A.P. and claim "The Spirit of a Champion."

NOT YOUR EVERYDAY KEYNOTE

With his many talents, Wayne produces his keynotes and presentations to be memorable and unique from the rest with his production of Wayne Messmer, Words & Music. Each entertaining presentation takes the audience on a journey with his powerful signature story of embracing resilience, adapting to change, remaining positive and overcoming adversity. The added component of music brings the audience into the spirit of the story and lessons as they unfold. His popular and entertaining keynotes also incorporate humor, dialects and accents to introduce the audience to the characters in his stories, delivering presentations that capture and keep the audience's attention from the opening word to the final musical notes.

MAJOR ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Motivational Keynote Speaker
• Certified Speaking Professional (CSP), 2015 - Present
• Professional, Motivational, Educational, Humorous, and Inspirational Speaker, *** - ***
• "The Spirit of A Champion"
• "The Voice of Victory"
• "Keep the Faith – Nobody Ever Said It Was Going to be Easy"
• Respected spokesperson on the topic of forgiveness leading to freedom.
• Certified Professional Member, National Speakers Association
Professional Singer
• 1985 - Present – Singer of the National Anthem for the Chicago Cubs
• 1994 - Present Singer of the National Anthem for the Chicago Wolves
• CD - "So Lucky to Be Loving You" A compilation of jazz with pianist, Judy Roberts

Highly Acclaimed Author
• The Voice of Victory by Wayne Messmer: a true-telling account of his experience with a random act of violence which almost cost him his life and voice. Throughout this unexpected and significant life change, Wayne identified how to identify and overcome hurdles to recover and triumph.

Broadcaster, Actor & "Messmer-izing" Storyteller
• The Wayne Messmer Radio Show is heard on WDCB 90.9FM/WDCB.org Sunday evenings from 7:00-8:00 pm.
• Wayne's Words Newsletters, Blogs & Audio Essays
• Broadcaster for a number of Chicago radio stations
• The Damien Play - A one-man play by Aldyth Morris, performed by Wayne Messmer
• Actor for the film, "The Babe" with John Goodman, a Universal Studios release
• Member, Screen Actors Guild/American Federation of Television & Radio Artists (SAG/AFTRA)

Successful Business Man
• Chicago Wolves Professional Hockey Team (AHL), Founding Partner, Senior Executive VP
• Wayne Messmer & Associates, LLC, Co-Founder, Co-Owner 2002

Education
• Ph.D., Psychology, LaSalle University
• M.Ed., Guidance and Counseling, Loyola University, Chicago
• B.M.E., Music Education, Illinois Wesleyan University