The War And Treaty

Biography

The War and Treaty is a Nashville-based husband-and-wife duo formed in 2014 by Michael Trotter Jr. and Tanya Trotter. Michael, a U.S. Army veteran, discovered his musical talent during two tours in Iraq, where he learned piano on an instrument once owned by Saddam Hussein and began songwriting after the death of a fellow soldier. Dropping out of high school and facing a troubled path, he joined the Army, endured combat wounds, and developed PTSD. Tanya, previously pursuing an R&B career with a Billboard Hot 100 song, faced setbacks including her brother's death, a major label drop, depression, and suicide attempts; she worked as a church worship leader to support her young son.[1][2][3][5][7]

The couple met in 2010 at Maryland's Spirit of Love festival, married in 2011, and began performing together as Trotter and Blunt before settling on The War and Treaty in 2014 amid Michael's PTSD challenges. Their music fuses country, Americana, blues, R&B, soul, and gospel, reflecting personal triumphs over adversity and their marital bond. Albums include their 2018 self-titled debut, 2020's sophomore release, major-label debut Lover’s Game (Mercury Nashville, 2023), and 2025's Plus One. They've earned Grammy nominations for Best New Artist and Best American Roots Song ('Blank Page', 2024), CMA Duo of the Year (first Black duo nominated), ACM Vocal Duo, and two Americana Music Awards for Duo/Group of the Year.[1][2][3][4][5][6]

Their electrifying live shows and raw storytelling have garnered acclaim from The Tennessean as 'unlike any other act in music,' with recognition from the Country Music Hall of Fame, Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, and Grand Ole Opry. Touring with artists like Chris Stapleton and performing on CMA Awards with Brothers Osborne, they continue breaking barriers in country and roots music while focusing on legacy.[2][4][5]

Fun Facts

• Michael learned piano in Iraq on a piano owned by Saddam Hussein and wrote his first song about a killed fellow soldier who taught him.[2]
• They changed band names eight times, finalizing 'The War and Treaty' during an argument where Tanya recognized Michael's PTSD episode.[2]
• They are the first Black duo nominated for CMA Duo of the Year.[2]
• Tanya had a Billboard Hot 100 song in R&B before the duo formed.[2]

Members

• Tanya Blount
• Michael Trotter

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

• James Brown - musical inspiration (blues and soul influences in their sound) [ongoing]
• Ray Charles - musical inspiration (blues and soul influences in their sound) [ongoing]

Key Collaborators

• Buddy Miller - producer and guest musician (2018 debut album, 2020 sophomore album) [2018-2020]
• Jason Isbell - guest musician (2020 sophomore album) [2020]
• Emmylou Harris - collaborator and fan who performed on early album (2018 debut album) [2018]
• John Prine - collaborator (various projects) [pre-2020]
• Zach Bryan - guest vocalist ('Hey Driver') [2023-2024]
• Jerry Douglas - guest musician (2020 sophomore album) [2020]
• Sam Bush - fan and performer on early album (2018 debut album) [2018]

External Links

• Spotify
• MusicBrainz

Tags: #country-soul