Although Wagner had been playing the guitar since he was 14, his initial audition for the role of Frisco Jones on "General Hospital" with producer Gloria Monty did not include any singing. Wagner had five auditions with ABC before ultimately winning the role of Frisco Jones. His final audition in 1983 included performing the Kenny Loggins song "Wait a Little While". ABC musical honcho Kelli Ross hooked Wagner up with her good friend in legendary producer Quincy Jones who oversaw his initial 5 song EP "All I Need". Eventually, they would release a full ten song LP of "All I Need" once the song "All I Need" began to rise up the charts. Quincy Jones protégés Glen Ballard and Clif Magness produced Wagner's first two albums on Qwest Records/Warner Brothers. Wagner's singing talents led him to appearances on "American Bandstand", "Solid Gold", "Soul Train" and "The Merv Griffin Show".