Wayne Sermon: Mormon Musician

Daniel Wayne “Wing” Sermon is musician and guitarist of the rock band Imagine Dragons. He acquired the nickname after the group’s manager introduced them individually and saying “Wayne” in a crowded room sounded like “Wing.”

Sermon was born on June 15, 1984, and grew up in American Fork, Utah. He was raised in a musical family who often played concerts in the park. He learned to play the guitar at age twelve. He formed a band in high school and learned to play the cello and mandolin. He also plays piano. At the age of 13, he began writing music on his computer program “Cakewalk.”

Sermon attended the Berklee College of Music in Boston. He graduated in 2008, having double majored in guitar performance and composition. While at Berklee, he met Ben McKee and Daniel Platzman. The three, along with Dan Reynolds, formed Imagine Dragons. After playing mostly at clubs and lounges, they had a big break when they filled in for Train at a festival. From there the group went on to record albums, tour, and appear on nighttime television. They were nominated for Grammy Awards and won a Grammy for Best Rock Performance.

Sermon is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He and his wife, Alexandra, are the parents of two children.