Podcast Summary: Takin' A Walk – The War and Treaty Interview

Host: Buzz Knight
Guests: Michael Trotter Jr. & Tanya Trotter (The War and Treaty)
Original Air Date: December 24, 2025
Theme: Exploring the military, marriage, musical journey, and creative partnership of The War and Treaty duo.

Episode Overview

This episode features an in-depth, heartfelt conversation with Michael and Tanya Trotter, the husband-and-wife duo at the heart of The War and Treaty. Renowned for their genre-defying blend of Americana, soul, gospel, and roots music, Michael and Tanya share personal stories about military service, the healing power of music, creative risks, and their marriage's role in both challenge and transformation. Listeners are treated to behind-the-scenes insights on their critically acclaimed album "Plus One," their live energy, and the dynamic that has made them one of modern music’s most compelling acts.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Who Would You Take a Walk With? (05:22)

• Tanya: Wishes for one more walk with her late mother, highlighting the power of personal connections.
• Michael: Would choose Nat King Cole, imagining a walk on Sunset Boulevard or Route 66.

"I used to take walks with my mom all the time, and she passed 10 years ago. This year makes 10 years. I'd like to take another walk with her." – Tanya Trotter (05:43)

2. Defining The War and Treaty (06:48)

• Their Sound: Genre-mixed, blending folk, Americana, country, and soul without sacrificing the integrity of any.
• Representation: Buzz draws a parallel to "the Staple Singers in 2025"—an honor for the duo.
• Description for the Uninitiated: They encapsulate every genre they love into one cohesive musical experience.

"We are a mixture... every genre of music we love, and somehow musically are able to tell the story with all those sounds without it being complicated or...compromising what each genre means." – Tanya Trotter (06:55)

3. Military Service, Community & Healing (07:57)

• Veterans’ Support: Michael discusses the significance of seeking help and the comfort found in veteran camaraderie.
• Family Support: Tanya emphasizes compassionate listening for those caring for loved ones dealing with trauma.

"You have battle buddies. You aren't the only veteran. You aren't the first veteran. You won't be the last." – Michael Trotter Jr. (08:29)
"Be compassionate... lead with empathy. And... just be a safe place to listen." – Tanya Trotter (09:48)

4. The Healing Power of Music (10:24)

• Personal Impact: Both cite music as a source of comfort, resilience, and healing from childhood to present.
• Key Songs:
  • "Simply Beautiful" by Al Green (Michael, 11:30)
  • "Everything Must Change" by Johnny Hathaway (Tanya, 11:42)

"Music is the voice of God in my life." – Michael Trotter Jr. (10:46)
"It's a soothing balm... since I was a little girl." – Tanya Trotter (11:06)

5. Bringing Down the House: Live Performance Energy (12:47)

• Spirituality & Connection: Each successful performance feels like a spiritual moment and a reminder of music’s greater power.
• Humility & Gratitude: Michael expresses hope never to take audience reactions for granted.

"It's a force that's magically connecting all these hearts at the same time from what's coming out of your mouth." – Tanya Trotter (13:45)

6. Album "Plus One" – Creative Process & Featured Tracks (14:46)

"Carried Away" (15:29)

• Blends country and R&B in unexpected ways.
• Michael likens it to "Hank Williams meets D'Angelo."
• Imagines that if Kenny Rogers were still here, he’d produce music like this.

"Save Me" (16:51)

• About redemption and saved by love in romantic partnerships and through music.
• Personal anecdote: Tanya credits Michael for saving her after her mother’s passing.
• They reflect on how they and their audiences continually save each other.

"In our relationship, we did save each other...and now I'm in love with the love of my life. We are traveling the world...and in some way, the audience and Michael and I, we save each other." – Tanya Trotter (18:13)

"Skyscraper" (24:07)

• The beauty of collaboration: features their daughter and other family members.
• Song inspired by Michael’s resolve in confronting body image and self-esteem.

"Teardrops" (25:27)

• Explores relationship insecurities and vulnerability.
• Tanya recorded the main vocal in a single take while ill—Michael insisted on keeping the raw, emotional performance.

"There's something beautiful about the rawness of your vocal cord, the pure honesty. You weren't relying on skill, you were relying strictly on feel." – Michael Trotter Jr. (30:33)

Collaboration with Billy Strings (26:36)

• Bluegrass infused with the War and Treaty’s unique style.
• Song is about “thirsting” and finding fulfillment in each other.
• Inspired by biblical references from Isaiah, reinforcing their integration of spirituality and poetry in songwriting.

Muscle Shoals Studio Process (28:39)

• Deeply influenced by the studio’s legacy (Aretha Franklin, Etta James, Wilson Pickett).
• Magic of the environment, suspension of logic, and embracing rawness—especially recording while not at their physical best.

7. Creativity, Humor, and Partnership (31:33)

• Their creative relationship is infused with both seriousness and humor—secret to their 15 years of marriage.
• Anecdotes about playful bickering and keeping things real, on stage and off.

"We go back and forth, in and out. There's always war brewing inside of...and there's always peace on the other side." – Tanya Trotter (31:22)

"Honestly, sense of humor is a major part of it. Just being able to really through good and bad, be consistent with that." – Buzz Knight (34:34)

8. Future Dreams: Who Do They Want to Collaborate With? (35:02)

• Tanya: Chris Stapleton and Morgan Stapleton.
• Michael: Past: Ray Charles; Present: Michael Bublé, Josh Groban (would repeat a previous collaboration), Mumford and Sons, Brandi Carlile.

"If I could have collaborated with anyone in the past, I would have loved to have done something with Ray Charles. If I can collaborate with anyone other than the Stapletons...Michael Bublé is somebody I would love... Mumford and Sons...Brandi Carlile." – Michael Trotter Jr. (35:25)

Memorable Moments and Quotes

• On musical identity:

  "Imagine the Staple Singers in 2025." – Buzz Knight (07:31)

• On the live experience:

  "I pray that we never become jaded... I want to give my all. I want to give my best." – Michael Trotter Jr. (14:05)

• On humor and honesty in partnership:

  "You have two bosses." – Tanya Trotter (30:59)
  "He is a commander in chief in the studio. I've told him he has to let up." – Tanya Trotter (31:49)

Key Timestamps

• 05:22 — The “Taking a Walk” who-would-you-walk-with opener
• 06:48 — Defining The War and Treaty for new listeners
• 07:57 — Michael on veteran support and advice for struggling vets
• 09:48 — Tanya on being a partner/caretaker to a veteran
• 10:46 — On the healing power of music
• 11:30 — Songs that shaped them: “Simply Beautiful,” “Everything Must Change”
• 12:47 — Describing the feeling of bringing down the house live
• 14:46 — Discussion of new music and “Plus One” album
• 15:29 — The story and creative process behind "Carried Away"
• 16:51 — "Save Me" and reciprocal salvation in relationships
• 24:07 — "Skyscraper": family-and-collaboration, self-worth
• 25:27 — "Teardrops" and the honesty behind an emotional vocal
• 26:36 — Collaborating with Billy Strings, spiritual elements in lyrics
• 28:39 — Recording at Muscle Shoals, legacy, and artistic freedom
• 31:33 — Humor, marriage, and creative chemistry
• 35:02 — Dream collaborations: Stapletons, Michael Bublé, Ray Charles, Brandi Carlile

Conclusion

This episode captures The War and Treaty’s candid reflections on music, love, and perseverance. Michael and Tanya Trotter illuminate the intertwined journey of personal healing and artistry—sharing vulnerability as both the source of their pain and their power. Through honest stories, rich laughter, and a commitment to honoring their roots, The War and Treaty reveal why their music continues to resonate: It’s as real as they are.