Interview: The War and Treaty

Oasis.

The Beach Boys.

Black Crowes.

Ike & Tina Turner.

Sonny & Cher

…Family members don’t always translate into harmonious musical partners. Breaking the mold is the husband/wife duo of Michael Trotter Junior and his wife, Tanya Trotter. The trotters have been trotting across the United States, spreading their unique blend of “country gospel” music under the moniker The War and Treaty.

Michael, a Cleveland native and United States Army Veteran, and Tanya, who began acting at a young age in ‘Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit.’ will stop in Northeast Ohio at Blossom Music Center in Cuyahoga Falls on Friday, May 31, opening for the incomparable Chris Stapleton. (For those who forgot to snag tickets, this one is a hard sell-out, and resale prices are exuberant.)

The War and Treaty first caught the attention of this interviewer when they were hand-selected by Dave Matthews Band to open a gig at The Gorge Amphitheater and again by Matthews and sidekick Tim Reynolds during their annual Mexican retreat. Matthews & Co. highly praise the duo, and Mr. Stapleton echoes that sentiment by inviting them out on his blockbuster tour.

But endorsements from DMB and Chris Stapleton are secondary to the unique sound the Trotters have crafted, which is incredibly evident in their recent videos of “Leads Me Home” and “Stealing A Kiss,” both from their 2023 album, ‘Lover’s Game.’

No matter how much one loves his or her partner, working together (even when one loves the labor) can easily be a downfall in any relationship. The Trotters make it work. During a recent ZOOM conference, Michael and Tanya laughed, smiled, complimented each other, and exuded affection. If this is not genuine, they certainly had me fooled for the 30-minute call. There must be some secret that these two know that the rest of the world does not.

Check out our ZOOM CALL WITH THE TROTTERS!

(The first two minutes are cut due to a recording glitch)

[videopress lHgJgSC5 w=1280 h=720]