The War and Treaty
American music duo
The War and Treaty are an American husband and wife duo consisting of singer-songwriters Michael Trotter Jr. and Tanya Trotter .[ 1] [ 2] Their debut studio album Healing Tide (2018), received critical acclaim upon its release. Soon afterwards, they released their sophomore album Hearts Town (2020), which featured a collaboration with American singer Emmylou Harris , and spawned the Triple A top 40 hit single "Five More Minutes".[ 3] In 2022, they signed to UMG Nashville , and released their major label debut Lover's Game (2023). Their collaboration with Zach Bryan on the song "Hey Driver " reached the top 20 on the Billboard Hot 100 .
In 2023, The War and Treaty became the first black duo to be nominated for the Country Music Association Award for Duo of the Year ;[ 4] along with being the first black duo to be nominated for the Academy of Country Music Award for Duo of the Year.[ 5] They have received two nominations for the 66th Annual Grammy Awards , including Best New Artist . An upcoming biopic based on the group’s life is set to be released.[ 6] [ 7]
Career
In 2016, Michael Trotter Jr. and Tanya Blount released the duet album Love Affair as Trotter & Blount.[ 8] In 2017, The War and Treaty released the EP Down to the River , described as a mix of 'blues, gospel, soul, bluegrass, country' and heralded by Estey as 'a splendidly made immediate classic about conflict and redemption'.[ 9] [ 10] Yet the two can sensually help heal the wounds from those confessional blasts with a sweet ballad like "Till The Mornin’" — they truly live up to the dynamic tension of their moniker.'[ 10]
In 2018, Rolling Stone reported The War and Treaty's debut album Healing Tide was due for release on August 10, 2018, describing the lead single as a 'joyfully relentless title track, reminiscent of classic Ike and Tina Turner rock-infused soul'.[ 11]
On September 25, 2020, The War and Treaty released their sophomore studio album, Hearts Town , on Rounder Records . On April 18, 2021 they joined Dierks Bentley for a performance of U2 's "Pride (In the Name of Love) " for the 56th Academy of Country Music Awards .[ 12]
The group signed a major label deal with Universal Music Group Nashville in May 2022.[ 13] They performed a cover of "It's Only Rock 'n Roll (But I Like It) " alongside Brothers Osborne at the 56th Annual Country Music Association Awards on November 9, 2022 and surprise-released their second EP Blank Page on the same day.[ 14] Their major label debut album Lover's Game , was released on March 10, 2023.
The duo collaborated with American country star Zach Bryan on the track "Hey Driver" from his self-titled fourth studio album. The song debuted at number 14 on the Billboard Hot 100 marking the duo's first appearance on the chart.[ 15]
Personal lives
From 2003 to 2007, Michael served in the United States Army . He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 6th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade, 1st Armored Division and served in Iraq and Germany . His highest achieved rank was Private First Class .[ 16]
During his deployment, his unit was encamped in one of Saddam Hussein 's private palaces, which had a piano in its basement. Michael learned how to play the instrument when his company commander, Captain Robert Scheetz, encouraged him to toy around with the piano knowing he had a passion for singing. Scheetz was killed on a mission shortly after. Michael wrote his first song in Scheetz's honor and sang it at his memorial. He then began performing at the services of other fallen soldiers.[ 17]
The duo performed and endorsed Kamala Harris for president on Saturday, November 2, 2024, at a campaign rally in Charlotte, North Carolina.[ 18]
Discography
Studio albums
EPs
Singles
As a lead artist
As a featured artist
Other charted songs
Guest appearances
Awards and nominations
Notes
^ "Hey Driver" did not enter the ARIA Top 100 Singles Chart, but peaked at number 20 on the ARIA Top 20 New Music Singles Chart.[ 50]
References
^ Donelson, Marcy. "The War and Treaty Biography" . AllMusic . Retrieved October 18, 2020 .
^ Bernstein, Jonathan (2020-09-18). "The War and Treaty's Journey Toward Hope" . Rolling Stone . Retrieved 2021-03-03 .
^ "Music is a matter of life, death, redemption for The War and Treaty's lead singers, Tanya and Michael Trotter" . San Diego Union-Tribune . 2022-10-26. Retrieved 2023-11-11 .
^ "CMA Awards 2023: Nominees, Host and How to Watch" . WWD . 2023-10-17. Retrieved 2023-11-10 .
^ "Nominations Announced for the 58th Academy of Country Music Awards" . www.acmcountry.com . 2023-04-13. Retrieved 2023-11-10 .
^ Willman, Chris (2024-01-16). "The War and Treaty: How the Best New Artist Grammy Nominees Came to Be 'Friends' With the Emmys, Too, and Win Over Superfan Zach Bryan" . Variety . Retrieved 2024-01-16 .
^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (2022-06-06). "Gilbert Films, Get Lifted Film Co & Harvey Mason Media Producing 'The War And Treaty'; Numa Perrier Directing" . Deadline . Retrieved 2024-01-16 .
^ St. Vil, Christine (13 June 2013). "Power Couple: Michael & Tanya Trotter (Blount)" . Black and Married With Kids . Retrieved 1 April 2018 .
^ "The War & Treaty "Down To The River" A Sight To Behold" . Soul Bounce . July 17, 2017. Retrieved 1 April 2018 .
^ a b Estey, Chris (July 17, 2017). "The War & Treaty "Down To The River" A Sight To Behold" . Paste . Archived from the original on April 3, 2019. Retrieved 1 April 2018 .
^ a b L. Betts, Stephen (31 May 2018). "Hear Gospel-Blues Duo the War and Treaty's Celebratory New Song 'Healing Tide' " . Rolling Stone . Retrieved June 2, 2018 .
^ "See All the Performers and Presenters for the 2021 Academy of Country Music Awards" . Archived from the original on April 19, 2021.
^ "Husband and Wife Americana Duo the War and Treaty Sign to UMG Nashville" . 23 May 2022.
^ "The War & Treaty and Brothers Osborne Cover a Rolling Stones Classic at the CMA Awards" . Rolling Stone . 10 November 2022.
^ Zellner, Xander (2023-09-06). "Hot 100 First-Timers: Sierra Ferrell & The War And Treaty Debut With Zach Bryan Features" . Billboard . Retrieved 2024-01-14 .
^ "Michael Trotter, Jr. Collection" . loc.gov . Retrieved 2024-10-22 .
^ "How The War and Treaty's Michael Trotter Jr., an Iraq War Veteran, Came Full Circle on a USO Tour (Exclusive)" . people.com . Retrieved 2024-10-22 .
^ Jordan, Chris. "Jon Bon Jovi stumps, sings two songs for Kamala Harris in NC: I'm not here to 'sling mud' " . Asbury Park Press . Retrieved 2024-11-28 .
^ "Trotter & Blount Discography" . Discogs . Retrieved October 18, 2020 .
^ a b c d "The War and Treaty Discography" . Discogs . Retrieved October 18, 2020 .
^ "The War And Treaty (Top Current Album Sales)" . Billboard.com . Retrieved 14 October 2020 .
^ "Heatseekers Albums: Up and Coming Musicians Chart (August 25, 2018)" . Billboard.com . Retrieved 23 August 2018 .
^ "Independent Albums (August 25, 2018)" . Billboard.com . Retrieved 23 August 2018 .
^ "Love Affair by Trotter & Blount on Apple Music" . Apple Music . 4 March 2016. Retrieved March 7, 2018 .
^ "Healing Tide by The War and Treaty" . Apple Music . Retrieved July 1, 2018 .
^ "Music" . The War and Treaty. Retrieved July 1, 2018 .
^ "Hearts Town by The War and Treaty on Apple Music" . Apple Music . Retrieved September 27, 2020 .
^ "Hearts Town" . The War and Treaty. Retrieved September 27, 2020 .
^ "Down to the River by The War and Treaty on Apple Music" . Apple Music . 21 July 2017. Retrieved March 7, 2018 .
^ "The War and Treaty hit CMA stage, release new EP, pursue greater country stardom" .
^ a b "The War and Treaty Chart History (Triple A Songs)" . Billboard.com . Retrieved 1 October 2020 .
^ "The War and Treaty Chart History (Adult Contemporary)" . Billboard.com . Retrieved 7 December 2024 .
^ "Hi Ho - Single by The War and Treaty on Apple Music" . Apple Music . 21 July 2017. Retrieved March 7, 2018 .
^ "Healing Tide - Single by The War and Treaty" . Spotify . 31 May 2018. Retrieved June 2, 2018 .
^ Graff, Gary (12 July 2018). "The War and Treaty Get Real About Relationships on 'Are You Ready to Love Me?': Premiere" . Billboard.com . Retrieved July 20, 2018 .
^ "Jealousy / Hustlin' - Single by The War and Treaty on Apple Music" . Apple Music . Retrieved September 27, 2020 .
^ Pikus, Lia (June 19, 2020). "The War And Treaty Release New Song Benefitting ACLU" . Paste . Retrieved December 17, 2023 .
^ "We Are One - Single by The War and Treaty on Apple Music" . Apple Music . Retrieved September 27, 2020 .
^ Bernstein, Jonathan (July 16, 2020). "The War & Treaty Channel Seventies Soul in New Song 'Five More Minutes' " . Rolling Stone . Penske Business Media, LLC . Retrieved September 27, 2020 .
^ "Everything New (Sessions) - Single by The War and Treaty on Apple Music" . Apple Music . Retrieved December 17, 2023 .
^ "That's How Love Is Made - Single by The War and Treaty on Apple Music" . Apple Music . Retrieved December 17, 2023 .
^ "Lover's Game - Single by The War and Treaty on Apple Music" . Apple Music . Retrieved December 17, 2023 .
^ "A Sunday Kind Of Love - Single by The War and Treaty on Apple Music" . Apple Music . Retrieved December 17, 2023 .
^ "Stretch Out - Single by The War and Treaty on Apple Music" . Apple Music . Retrieved December 17, 2023 .
^ "Cold (Live From The Academy of Country Music Honors) - Single by The War and Treaty on Apple Music" . Apple Music . Retrieved December 17, 2023 .
^ "America the Beautiful (feat. Trisha Yearwood, Keb' Mo', Amy Grant & the War and Treaty) - Single" . Apple Music . Retrieved December 17, 2023 .
^ "The Times They Are a-Changin' - Single (feat. Rosanne Cash, Steve Earle, Jason Isbell & The War and Treaty) - Single by Nitty Gritty Dirt Band" . Apple Music . Retrieved December 17, 2023 .
^ "Chuck Will's Widow (Video Mix) [feat. The War and Treaty & Michelle Malone] - Single by Amy Ray" . Apple Music . Retrieved December 17, 2023 .
^ "The War and Treaty Chart History (Billboard Hot 100)" . Billboard . Retrieved 6 September 2023 .
^ a b "ARIA Top 20 New Music Singles for week of 4 September 2023" . ARIA Charts . Retrieved 3 September 2023 .
^ "The War and Treaty Chart History (Billboard Canadian Hot 100)" . Billboard . Retrieved 6 September 2023 .
^ "Official Irish Singles Chart on 05/01/2024 | Official Charts" . Official Charts Company. January 5, 2024. Retrieved January 18, 2024 .
^ "The War and Treaty Chart History (Billboard Global 200)" . Billboard . Retrieved 6 September 2023 .
^ a b "Zach Bryan by Zach Bryan on Apple Music" . Apple Music . August 25, 2023. Retrieved August 28, 2023 .
^ "Gold & Platinum - RIAA" . Recording Industry Association of America . Retrieved February 7, 2024 .
^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2024 Singles" (PDF) . Australian Recording Industry Association . Retrieved 11 August 2024 .
^ Brodsky, Rachel (November 4, 2022). "Ashley McBryde, Maren Morris, Steve Earle, & More Cover Rolling Stones on New Tribute Album" . Stereogum . Retrieved November 19, 2022 .
^ Douglas, Hill (September 1, 2023). "Billy Strings & Molly Tuttle Reunite For Cover Of Nanci Griffith's "Listen To The Radio" " . Whiskey Riff . Retrieved September 13, 2023 .
^ Mackle, Jenna (January 17, 2021). "Welcome to the POP AWARDS 2021, the fourth annual Pop Awards" . Pop Magazine . Retrieved February 18, 2021 .
^ "Pop Awards 2021, the 4th annual Pop Awards" . Pop Awards . Retrieved February 18, 2021 .
^ Greg Evans (March 8, 2023). "CMT Music Awards 2023 Nominations: Lainey Wilson Leads Roster – Complete List" . Deadline Hollywood . Retrieved March 8, 2023 .
^ "2024 GRAMMY Nominations: See The Full Nominees List | GRAMMY.com" . www.grammy.com . Retrieved 2023-11-10 .
^ "Winners | acmcountry.com" .
^ "Morgan Wallen, Luke Combs Are Top Winners at 2024 People's Choice Country Awards: Full List | billboard.com" .
^ "2024 CMA Award Nominations | cmaawards.com" . www.cmaawards.com . Retrieved 2024-10-02 .
External links