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As a veteran myself, I can deeply relate to Michael Trotter’s reflections on the changing attitudes towards military veterans and service members in American society. It’s disheartening to see that fewer people identify as veterans these days, and it’s not hard to understand why. Over the past two decades, our leaders have failed us, leaving many veterans feeling forgotten and unappreciated.
In Indio, California, approximately an hour after War and Treaty set the April Stagecoach festival ablaze with their fiery performance of the “Star-Spangled Banner,” Michael Trotter Jr. and Tanya Trotter of the country duo reflect in an air-conditioned trailer. They muse over a thought-provoking query: Which artist delivered the most outstanding rendition of the national anthem?
Tanya expresses her strong preference: “For me, it has to be Whitney Houston.” Michael concurs. “There’s a Mt. Rushmore,” Michael continues, “of singers. Second place goes to Chris Stapleton. Third is debatable, but I believe Jennifer Hudson earns that spot. I’m pondering who could fill the fourth spot. Kelly Clarkson has an impressive voice. Beyoncé’s talent is undeniable.”
Michael makes a displeased expression as he says, “No space for Marvin Gaye and his iconic sultry performance at the 1983 NBA All-Star Game.”
“Oh, that’s the worst version,” he says.
“We should not go on the record saying that,” Tanya advises.
Michael: “I’m not afraid. I’ll go on the record.”
Tanya: “Here we go.”
Michael: “Listen, I don’t want to f— to the national anthem.”
Tanya: “Oh, lord.”
Michael reflects on his experiences in the military and the battles he and his comrades fought for freedom during the Iraq war. He shares, “I’d rather ponder over those memories.” However, he expresses his dislike for Marvin Gaye’s interpretation of the topic. Yet, he’s open to Tanya’s preference, exclaiming, “If that’s her favorite, absolutely — let’s use it!”
Approximately twenty years following Michael’s time in Iraq, the duo War and Treaty has earned a reputation as one of the most captivating acts in American roots music. Their repertoire consists of heartfelt and insightful songs about devotion, belief, and love, accompanied by an electrifying live performance reminiscent of Ike and Tina Turner’s energetic shows. In February 2023, this Nashville-based couple, with Michael at age 42 and Tanya at 50, received a Grammy nomination for best new artist – an unexpected recognition, considering they had already released their fourth studio album, titled “Lover’s Game.”
Last year, Zach Bryan brought the Trotters on board for his successful self-titled album. Later, he invited them to be the opening act for his concert at Crypto.com Arena this month. Moreover, they are scheduled to perform at SoFi Stadium on July 10, sharing the stage with none other than the iconic Rolling Stones.
Nate Smith, a renowned country musician, expresses his awe over the harmonious collaboration between The War and Treaty on his new EP “Through the Smoke.” He recalls being deeply moved by their performance of “That’s How Love Is Made” at the Country Music Assn. Awards last November, an emotion that surpassed goosebumps and left him in tears. “It wasn’t just goosebumps,” Smith emphasizes. “I was weeping – utterly taken aback by the raw emotion their voices evoked.”
× The Trotters have emerged as consistent standouts at various televised country awards in Nashville. For instance, they paid a tribute to Stapleton last year during the Academy of Country Music Honors with an alluring rendition of his song “Cold.” More recently, they left Patti LaBelle breathless at CMT’s “Smashing Glass” special as they sang her and Michael McDonald’s classic duet “On My Own.”
The Trotters’ unique combination of country, rock, gospel, and R&B shines through in their format, making for an engaging showcase. When they perform together, their connection is palpable and convincing. However, as the couple explains, it’s also their sole solution to a persistent issue.
Michael acknowledges the common criticism, “We’re just products of awards shows.” In truth, our music isn’t regularly played on country radio. Consequently, we need to prioritize television appearances. Our goal is to make a lasting impression on each show and ultimately prove that we belong in the industry.
In today’s streaming age, country radio continues to hold significant influence over music chart success. The War and Treaty, along with artists like Kane Brown, Mickey Guyton, and Brittney Spencer, represent a growing number of Black voices in Nashville. However, radio playlists still largely favor white male artists, even those who originate from other genres. For instance, Post Malone’s “I Had Some Help” quickly reached No. 1 on Billboard’s Country Airplay chart, whereas Beyoncé peaked at No. 33 with her country-inspired song “Texas Hold ‘Em.” From her controversial “Cowboy Carter” album, despite the industry’s perceived rejection. One notable exception is Shaboozey, a collaborator of Beyoncé, whose “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” has been gaining traction at country radio.
At the Stagecoach festival, where artists such as Morgan Wallen, Hardy, Jelly Roll, and Miranda Lamber were performing, Tanya affirmed her sense of belonging by answering, “Yes, I do feel welcome.” Michael paused before expressing, “Feeling welcome is not enough. We yearn for connection. It’s disappointing when artists seem to address their audiences as if they belong to a specific subculture, excluding us. Instead, we should reach out and bridge the gap between us. The distinction is crucial.”
Michael, an ardent singer-songwriter known for his tunes about the joy and potential of love rather than its absence, acknowledges that The War and Treaty stands out in today’s country music scene. Most contemporary hits revolve around heartache and profanity, he notes with a chuckle. “Take Morgan Wallen’s hit ‘Last Night,’ or Hardy’s ‘I woke up on the wrong side of the truck bed.’ I ponder, is this where The War and Treaty belongs? Is it our turn to prove that love-themed art still resonates?”
In their trailer before their next show on one of Stagecoach’s smaller stages, Michael and Tanya discuss their outfits. Previously on the main stage, Tanya donned a red-fringed bodysuit, which she acknowledges was inspired by her fashion icon, Diana Ross. Meanwhile, Michael chose red-and-black pants and a vest, paying tribute to his heroes in professional wrestling: “Macho Man” Randy Savage and “Stone Cold” Steve Austin.
Is Michael a big wrestling guy?
“He’s a fanatic,” Tanya says.
Michael agrees with certainty. He then advises against exploring that subject any further if there’s something else we should cover in our conversation with him and his wife. “Believe me,” he assures with a smile, “it’s time for us to shift gears now.”
Adds Tanya: “Please, let’s not open this box.”
The Trotters, husband and wife since 2011, share the comfort and harmony of a long-term partnership in their singing and songwriting, raising a 13-year-old son together.
In “The Best That I Have,” a soulful ballad from “Lover’s Game,” Tanya sits next to her lover on the couch, sharing ice cream and watching old episodes of “The Golden Girls” together. On stage, their connection is palpable without words as they exchange vocal responsibilities through subtle cues – a glance, a gentle nudge on the wrist.
“Me and Tanya, we share time and space in every way,” Michael says.
As a cinema devotee, I’d rephrase it as follows: In 2014, Michael and I established The War and Treaty. Before then, we had each learned to play music on our own. For Michael, the harsh realities of the Iraq war left him feeling overwhelmed, or as he puts it, “freaked out.” To find solace, he discovered a piano hidden in the basement of one of Saddam Hussein’s palaces and began playing soothing melodies. As time passed, Michael felt compelled to write songs as a tribute to his fallen comrades. The therapeutic effect of this musical outlet was profound for him and his fellow soldiers, leading them to recognize Michael’s unique gift and encourage him to continue in this role.
During a moment on the Stagecoach main stage, Michael inquired about the number of veterans in the audience. However, very few people identified themselves as such – significantly less than there would have been, for instance, twenty years prior. Is Michael reflecting on this?
As I sat in the theater, reflecting on the powerful performance I had just witnessed, I found myself saying, “I understand, and I’m here to acknowledge why.” For over two decades, our connection with the military has been a complex one, filled with love and hate. Our leaders have fallen short in caring for those who serve, leading us, as a nation, to view service members through a political lens rather than recognizing them as individuals brave enough to put their lives on the line for our freedom. These men and women deserve more than fleeting recognition; they deserve respect and care for the sacrifices they make, both physical and mental. Unfortunately, it seems that artists have lost sight of this, focusing instead on political narratives rather than the human stories behind the uniforms.
“Toby Keith was deeply dressed in red, white, and blue,” the speaker recalls about the late country artist renowned for his patriotic tunes and USO performances, “feeling sad that this tradition would be left behind. So my wife Tanya and I aim to carry on that legacy.”
× Tanya’s singing career took off early when she appeared in the 1993 film “Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit,” where she sang “His Eye Is on the Sparrow” with Lauryn Hill. Following this, she put out an R&B album the next year and later joined Sean “Diddy” Combs’ Bad Boy record label. However, the production of her intended LP did not come to fruition. In response to the allegations of sexual misconduct against Combs that have emerged recently, Tanya declines to comment, citing a legal gag order.
Tanya used to think that singing country music and R&B were similar, as she noticed superficial similarities between artists like Patti LaBelle and Dolly Parton. However, she came to understand the differences once she entered the music industry, where she learned that each genre has its unique characteristics.
The Trotters have been defying genre boundaries with their collection of songs released this year. “Stealing a Kiss” transports us back to the psychedelic soul sounds of the 1970s, while “Leads Me Home” showcases their connection to bluegrass music. Lastly, “Called You By Your Name” brings an intense gospel-rock experience with powerful New Orleans brass instrumentation.
I support the couple as they cautiously make plans to put out an album in the early part of next year. However, their schedule is packed for the remainder of 2024. They’re touring non-stop and have numerous festival appearances and opening acts lined up, including performances with Bryan, Lyle Lovett, and Gary Clark Jr., which is set for August 21 at the Hollywood Bowl.
I adopt the perspective of Michael, who holds the role with respect and awe, yet confesses moments of exhaustion. At times, I can’t help but ask myself, “When is it our turn to take center stage?”
As a movie buff and a devoted fan of country music, I’ve witnessed firsthand how Nashville recognizes and rewards the unwavering dedication of artists like Jelly Roll and Lainey Wilson. Both musicians have accepted countless invitations, putting in the hard work that ultimately led to their recent successes over the past couple of years. However, it’s disheartening to see so many mediocre truck-and-beer songs dominating the airwaves instead of the thought-provoking tunes by War and Treaty.
“At times, you feel drained and unmotivated to rally the crowd,” he admits. “But Tanya and I possess a song that could be life-changing for someone. With our deep connection to the music, we’re compelled to keep performing – it’s what fuels us.”
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2024-07-18 21:05