As a huge fan of The War & Treaty and their inspiring journey in the music industry, I can’t help but be thrilled about their recent appearance on Celebrity Family Feud. Their decision to assemble a family of Black singers in the country and Americana genres is not only groundbreaking but also a powerful statement that speaks volumes about unity and representation in these genres.
The Grammy-nominated husband-and-wife team The War & Treaty, known for their unique sound combining country, soul, Americana, and gospel genres, were thrilled when they got invited to appear on “Celebrity Family Feud.” They started considering which family members to bring. However, the duo had an idea: let’s represent a family of Black singers in the country and Americana music scene on this popular game show.
In this episode of NBC’s show, airing Tuesday at 8 p.m. ET, Rissi Palmer, the trailblazing Black artist who made it to Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart in 2007 marking the first time in 20 years for a Black woman, will join forces with Valerie June, an accomplished musician known for her unique blend of blues, country, rock, soul, gospel, and Appalachian folk. Additionally, Dom Flemons, the Grammy-winning multi-instrumentalist from The Carolina Chocolate Drops old-time string band, as well as country-hip-hop hybrid artist Breland, will also be part of this musically diverse lineup. Together, they’ll take on the legendary Rock and Roll Hall of Famers, Earth, Wind & Fire.
Michael Trotter Jr. shared with The Hollywood Reporter his thoughts: “With so many family members unavailable or unwilling, I felt we should utilize this opportunity to connect with the country music community. I proposed, ‘Let’s show a united front between Americana and country artists.’ We contacted a few respected friends, who graciously agreed. Thus, our country music alliance was formed.”
He expressed, “It makes me happy to think that Earth, Wind & Fire would be proud to notice their impact on a diverse range of artists, including those who share their appearance.”
Tanya Trotter shares that Palmer was their choice because she motivated them to explore the Americana genre. This occurred after a performance at a small coffee shop in North Carolina, where Rissi attended and urged them to pursue this direction. Following their encounter at the Americana Music Honors & Awards, they connected with June. Shortly afterwards, her team contacted them, making Valerie June their initial tour companion.
I was thrilled when Breland invited us to write music in Nashville for the first time. We were eager to collaborate with him, especially since Flemons was a valuable addition to our team for reasons connected to the Carolina Chocolate Drops, an esteemed group that includes Pulitzer Prize-winning artist and scholar Rhiannon Giddens.
The Trotters fondly recall their deep connection with the game shows “Family Feud” and “Celebrity Family Feud.” Securing an invitation to appear on the program holds great sentimental value for them. As Tanya Trotter shares, “The news of being on the show brought tears to my eyes. My mother was a devoted viewer until her passing in the hospital. Michael and I used to watch it together before we got married, and afterward, they continued to enjoy it as a family.”
Michael Trotter Jr. added, “My mom and I are big fans of that show as well.” When Ty and I were brainstorming potential guests for our program, I was shocked when my mother declined. I feel compelled to express this openly – I couldn’t believe she refused to be on the show.
“I was shocked and extremely disappointed. I was even angry. But eventually, I came to understand why she had acted that way.”
Last year, The War & Treaty, who had the honor of opening for The Rolling Stones, gained significant recognition with the release of their major-label debut album, “Lover’s Game.” This album received widespread critical acclaim and made history at the 2023 CMA and ACM Awards as the first Black duo to be nominated for the duo of the year award at both events. In the same year, Beyoncé’s album, “Cowboy Carter,” was released, which became a cultural sensation and sparked discussions about Black artists reclaiming country and Americana genres they helped create. As a result, several Black artists in these genres like Brittney Spencer, Tiera Kennedy, Tanner Adell, Reyna Roberts, Willie Jones, and Shaboozey saw their profiles rise. Shaboozey’s hit song, “A Bar Song (Typsy),” has been at the top of the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart for six weeks and is currently number two on the all-genre Hot 100 chart.
In Tanya Trotter’s opinion, Beyoncé’s accomplishments are commendable, paving the way for others with similar backgrounds and aspirations. She hopes that artists like Brittney, Shaboozey, and Tanner Adell will likewise make the most of their influence, promoting up-and-coming talents.
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2024-07-26 16:25