Hank U for the Music: Trey Calloway on Songs, Stories & Staying Country
- Stacie Jowers
- 7 days ago
- 3 min read
Independent country artist Trey Calloway joined Talk and Tunes for a laid-back, porch-hang conversation that felt less like an interview and more like catching up with an old friend. From raw acoustic performances to honest storytelling, this episode was a reminder of why country music — at its core — is about connection.
Trey’s journey began in the Carolinas, where he proudly claims both North and South Carolina as home. Growing up surrounded by country roots, he developed a deep respect for storytelling and tradition — something that still shows up in every song he writes today. His latest single, “Hank U,” released January 16, 2026, is a heartfelt nod to those roots and the legends who shaped the sound of country music long before streaming playlists existed.
Throughout our conversation, Trey talked openly about what it means to stay true to your sound in an industry that often pressures artists to chase trends. For him, authenticity isn’t optional — it’s the foundation. Whether he’s playing a small bar, a festival stage, or an acoustic set, Trey believes the music should always speak for itself.
One of the things that stood out most was how intentional Trey is about connecting with his audience. He doesn’t see a crowd as just listeners — he sees people. People with stories, struggles, and moments they attach to songs. That connection, he says, is what keeps him grounded and reminds him why he chose this path in the first place.
A standout moment of the episode happened when songwriting inspiration struck in real time. As we were talking about his wife’s hometown in Ohio, Trey described it as a classic Friday night football town. Without missing a beat, he laughed and said, “Friday Night Football Town sounds like a song title.” He immediately stopped to write it down.
That moment perfectly captured how Trey’s songwriter brain works — always listening, always pulling inspiration from everyday conversation. As he explained, many of his ideas come from colloquial phrases and offhand comments, which he later organizes into a system of song ideas, written songs, and work tapes that eventually become full recordings. Watching that process unfold live was a reminder that songwriting doesn’t always start in a studio — sometimes it starts in a simple, honest conversation.
Trey also shared insight into his songwriting process, describing how he stays organized by moving ideas through different creative stages — from a spark of inspiration to a finished master recording. It’s a system that allows him to stay creative without losing track of the songs that matter most.
As he looks ahead, Trey is excited about what’s next. With an upcoming tour and a headlining show at the Dusty Armadillo in Ohio, he’s eager to bring his music to new audiences while staying rooted in what made people fall in love with his sound in the first place.
At its heart, this episode of Talk and Tunes wasn’t just about a new single or an upcoming tour — it was about staying country, honoring the journey, and letting music be what it’s always meant to be: honest, healing, and real.
🎶 Listen to the full episode: “Hank U for the Music – Trey Calloway on Songs, Stories & Staying Country”📍 Available now on Spotify and all major platforms.
Stay tuned for upcoming announcements on Trey's website here and social media:
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