On this episode of The Bandwich Tapes, I sit down with country singer and songwriter Trey Calloway for a conversation about authenticity, tradition, performance, and the responsibility that comes with carrying country music forward.

Trey grew up singing in church, where he learned early how music can bring people together. We talk about the influence of his Pentecostal upbringing, watching his father preach, and how those experiences shaped his instincts as an entertainer and his ability to connect with an audience. We also discuss the lessons he learned playing honky-tonks and working his way through the Myrtle Beach music scene.

Trey explains why he wants his music to remain unmistakably country while still sounding current. He reflects on the influence of artists including George Jones, Garth Brooks, George Strait, Loretta Lynn, and Merle Haggard, as well as the Southern rock music of Lynyrd Skynyrd, The Marshall Tucker Band, and Molly Hatchet.

We also dig into Trey’s approach to songwriting. His songs explore working people, family, heartbreak, faith, redemption, and the lives he observes around him. Trey talks about drawing inspiration from conversation, writing about his father’s life as a construction worker, and trying to create songs that hold a mirror up to ordinary experience.

Trey also shares the story behind his recording of “Slide,” a song previously recorded by Gary Allan and written by Ross Ellis, Alex Kline, and Michael Whitworth. He explains why the song felt personal enough to become his own, the importance of honoring great outside songs, and why country music still needs strong relationships between singers and professional songwriters.

Key Takeaways

• Trey believes country music can honor its history while still sounding fresh, modern, and personal.
• Growing up in a Pentecostal church taught him how to communicate with an audience and make music feel communal.
• His years in the Myrtle Beach music scene taught him how to lead a band, manage production, run a show, and treat music as a business.
• Moving to Nashville required Trey to start over, accept a smaller role, and rebuild his career in a more competitive environment.
• Trey approaches songwriting as a way to observe people and turn conversations, family experiences, and everyday struggles into songs.
• Many of his working-class songs are inspired by his father, who spent his life in construction and other forms of physical labor.
• Recording “Slide” reinforced Trey’s belief that a singer does not have to write a song to deliver it honestly and make it feel personal.

Music from the Episode

• Slide - Trey Calloway

About the Podcast

The Bandwich Tapes is a music interview podcast hosted by Brad Williams. Each episode features thoughtful conversations with musicians, songwriters, producers, and other creative artists about their careers, influences, collaborations, musical craft, and the experiences that shape their work.

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