The War and Treaty

The War and Treaty emerged from a chance meeting at a Maryland festival in 2010. Tanya Blount, who had built a career as a solo R&B artist in the 1990s and appeared in the film Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit, was performing when she met Michael Trotter Jr., a U.S. Army veteran who had served in Iraq. Michael had been writing songs as a way to process his PTSD, but he was hesitant to perform them publicly. Tanya encouraged him, and their first collaboration was a cover of the gospel standard "I'll Fly Away." They married in 2011 and officially formed the duo in 2014, choosing a name that reflects Michael's military service and their marriage.

Their debut album Down to the River arrived in 2015 on their own Strong World Entertainment label. It was a raw, gospel-infused record that showcased their vocal chemistry but made little commercial impact. The breakthrough came with 2018's Healing Tide, produced by Buddy Miller. The album expanded their sound into Americana and roots rock, earning them a spot on the Americana Music Awards radar. Hearts Town (2020) became their first album to top the Billboard Heatseekers chart, and its title track became their first single to chart on Country Airplay.

The duo's profile rose sharply in 2022 when Zach Bryan invited them to appear on "Hey Driver," a track from his album American Heartbreak. The song peaked at No. 14 on the Billboard Hot 100 and introduced them to a massive rock and country audience. They signed with Rounder Records in 2023 and released Lover's Game, which earned them their first Americana Music Award for Duo/Group of the Year. Their 2024 album Plus One continued their evolution toward a polished country sound while retaining the gospel and soul elements at their core. The duo remains active, touring extensively and headlining venues like the Ryman Auditorium and the Grand Ole Opry.[edit]

The War and Treaty came together through a combination of chance and mutual encouragement. Tanya Blount was a seasoned performer with a background in gospel and R&B, having toured as a background vocalist for Adele during the 21 era and released her own albums in the 1990s. Michael Trotter Jr. had spent eight years in the U.S. Army, including a deployment to Iraq, and had turned to songwriting as a way to cope with PTSD. The two met at a festival in Maryland in 2010, where Tanya was on the bill. Michael was in the audience but too nervous to approach her; Tanya noticed him and struck up a conversation. She learned about his songwriting and convinced him to perform one of his songs with her. That first duet was a cover of "I'll Fly Away," and the chemistry was immediate.

They married the following year and began writing and performing together, blending their individual strengths into a unified sound. Without formal auditions or a traditional band formation, they developed their harmonies and repertoire organically, often performing as a duo with Michael on piano and Tanya on lead vocals. In 2014 they released a self-titled EP, followed by the full-length Down to the River in 2015. The name "The War and Treaty" was Michael's idea, a direct reference to his military service and the covenant of their marriage. From the beginning, their music was deeply personal, drawing on their faith, their relationship, and Michael's experiences as a veteran.[edit]

The War and Treaty's sound is rooted in gospel and soul, but they have steadily incorporated elements of country, Americana, and roots rock. Their early work on Down to the River was sparse and churchlike, with Michael's piano and the couple's harmonies carrying most of the weight. On Healing Tide, produced by Buddy Miller, they added a full band and a broader palette of Americana instrumentation, including pedal steel and electric guitars. The album Hearts Town leaned further into country, with polished production and radio-friendly hooks, while still retaining the gospel call-and-response and emotional rawness that define their sound.

Their major-label releases on Rounder Records, Lover's Game and Plus One, showcase a more contemporary country production style, with crisp drums, layered harmonies, and songwriting that addresses love, faith, and perseverance. Tanya's voice is a powerful, soaring instrument that can shift from a whisper to a full-throated belt, while Michael's baritone provides a grounding counterpoint. Their lyrics often draw from their personal experiences, including Michael's PTSD and their interracial marriage, giving their music an authenticity that resonates across genre lines. The duo's ability to blend sacred and secular themes, and to move between gospel fervor and country storytelling, is their signature.[edit]

The War and Treaty have been significant figures in the ongoing diversification of country and Americana music. In 2022 they became the first Black duo nominated for Vocal Duo of the Year at the Country Music Association Awards, a milestone that drew attention to the genre's long history of excluding Black artists. They have been nominated in that category three consecutive years, and their presence at the awards has sparked conversations about representation in Nashville. Their music, which openly addresses Michael's combat-related PTSD and the realities of an interracial marriage in the South, has been praised for its vulnerability and for expanding the thematic range of country music.

Beyond the industry, the duo has performed at the White House for Presidents Joe Biden and Barack Obama, and they are outspoken advocates for veterans' mental health, racial equality, and LGBTQ+ rights. Tanya's fashion choices on stage, often featuring sequined gowns and high heels, have challenged the casual dress code typical of country performances. Their collaboration with Zach Bryan on "Hey Driver," which became a top-20 Hot 100 hit, demonstrated the commercial potential of genre-crossing roots music. They have also worked with Brandi Carlile, Keb' Mo', and Chris Stapleton, further bridging gaps between Americana, blues, and mainstream country.[edit]

The War and Treaty do not have an official fandom name, lightstick, or designated fan color. Their fanbase is built around live performances, where audiences often hold up signs reading "W&T" or lighters during quieter moments like the song "Healing Tide." The duo maintains a close relationship with their fans through social media, particularly Instagram, where they share behind-the-scenes content and personal updates. Their concerts are known for an inclusive, church-like atmosphere, with Tanya frequently speaking directly to the crowd between songs. There are no documented large-scale fan projects, but their supporters are notably loyal, often following them across multiple tour dates.[edit]

Tanya Trotter was a background vocalist for Adele during the 21 era and appears on the live album Live at the Royal Albert Hall. Michael Trotter Jr. served eight years in the U.S. Army, including a deployment to Iraq, and began writing songs as therapy for PTSD. The duo's children are named Legend and Valor. They met at a festival where Tanya was performing; Michael was too shy to approach her, so she approached him. In 2023 they performed "Amazing Grace" at the White House for President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden.[edit]