Music Spotlight artist Trey Calloway released his latest EP, Honky Tonk Generation, on November 6th. Calloway is unapologetically as country as the Carolina clay. He knows who he is as an artist and has the talent to bring his vision to fruition.
While the title track, "Honky Tonk Generation," sets the tone for the rest of the six-song EP, the whole collection is something that lovers of the traditional country sound will want to experience.
Calloway helped co-write four of the six songs on the EP, including the title track.
What I like so much about "Honky-Tonk Generation" is that the rowdy party song is a hat tip to some of country's greatest legends who came before us. He acknowledges Bocephus (IYKYK), Waylon Jennings, and Keith Whitley.
Speaking for himself and others, the lyrics state We put on the boots/ We put on the scoot/ when we listen to Waylon/ We dive the bars/ We are the heart of the neon generation/ We walk the walk/ Twang the talk/ We are the honky tonk generation. Thankfully, this new crop of country crooners has wholeheartedly embraced the traditional country sound.
Calloway agreed, "People my age and younger are really hungry for that authentic country sound again. And I think that's always been my goal: how do we find the heart and soul of country music but stay modern? Even though we're decades younger, we can still be part of that wonderful honky tonk generation."
The Honky Tonk Generation EP does exactly that. The lyrics provide a modern twist, but the sound is undeniably country.
Two other twangy tunes on the EP include "Don't Wake The Dog," as in don't let anyone hear you sneaking into your girlfriend's room, and "Heart Achin' Day," a song that will have you line dancing across the barroom's sawdust floor.
The two songs that are outside cuts, "Left Hand" and "Say You Love Me," are tearjerkers. "I've never wanted to die on the hill of having to write all my own songs. When you do that, you limit yourself from being pitched songs that are true masterpieces," Calloway confirmed. Everyone knows that heartbreak songs laced with a pedal steel guitar are a staple of country music, and they should be included in any collection.
"Honest to God" is the EPs most serious song. The song is about redemption. Calloway shared about the gospel-leaning song, "I think everybody's had times in their life where they thought, 'I've done too much to get right with God. There's no way that he'll ever forgive me.' But He does. He will. All you got to do is believe, and all you got to do is give your heart to Him." Though he obviously likes to have fun, Calloway isn't shy about honoring his Christian upbringing.
As someone who has followed Trey Calloway for several years, I can tell that with his Honky Tonk Generation EP, he knows what his sound is and exactly who he is as an artist.
He stated, "I think Honky Tonk Generation is really the culmination of the sound that I've been looking for, for so long. I'm proud of it. This was the first record I made on Music Row at Soundstage, a legendary studio. It was a great time. I've really learned to soak it all in."
As a kindred spirit of his traditional country sound, I am excited to hear any new music that Trey Calloway shares with us. His Honky Tonk Generation EP is one you will revel in if you are one of us.
You can follow Trey Calloway on his website, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, and all streaming services.
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Bethany Bowman is a freelance entertainment writer. You can follow her blog, Instagram, and TikTok.
Honky Tonk Generation EP
1. Honky Tonk Generation
2. Left Hand
3. Don't Wake The Dog
4. Honest to God
5. Heart Achin' Day
6. Say You Love Me