BETHLEHEM, Pa. — A husband-and-wife duo who present a heartfelt story as well as blues music will be the national Levitt Pavilion touring act this summer.
The War and Treaty — Tanya Trotter and Michael Trotter Jr. — will play at Levitt Pavilion SteelStacks on July 26 as part of the Levitt's free summer lineup.
The duo, which blends of blues, gospel, soul, bluegrass and country music, headlined SteelStacks' Blast Furnace Blues Festival in 2019.
Last year, the duo appeared on chart-topping country artist Zach Bryan's platinum hit "Hey Driver," which hit No. 2 on the Rock chart.ArtsQuest news release
The War and Treaty in 2023 got a Grammy Award nomination as Best New Artist, and its song "Blank Page" was nominated for Best American Roots Song.
Also last year, the duo appeared on chart-topping country artist Zach Bryan's platinum hit "Hey Driver," which hit No. 2 on the Rock chart.
This year, it also received a Duo of the Year nomination from the Country Music Association and Vocal Duo nomination from the Academy of Country Music.
It has a new single, "Stealing a Kiss."
A compelling story
The story of The War and Treaty started while Trotter was in the Army during the Gulf War. Trotter found himself in one of Saddam Hussein’s crumbling palaces, playing piano.
An Army captain encouraged him to pursue music, and when that captain was killed, Trotter began writing and performing songs for the fallen.
After returning home, he met singer Tanya Blount, whom he married and with whom he formed The War and Treaty.
The duo has released four albums, starting with 2016's "Love Affair," and first hit the charts with its sophomore disc, 2018's "Healing Tide," which climbed to No. 11 on the Heatseeker's chart.
The Mortimer & Mimi Levitt Foundation funds free concerts at Levitt Pavilions nationwide, including an annual one artist on a Levitt National Tour.ArtsQuest news release
Its latest disc was 2023's "Lover's Game," which peaked at No. 56.
The Mortimer & Mimi Levitt Foundation funds free concerts at Levitt Pavilions nationwide, including an annual one artist on a Levitt National Tour.
The War and Treaty will stop at five Levitt venues starting in Arlington, Texas, on June 21. Bethlehem will be its second stop.
The full Levitt Pavilion SteelStacks season is scheduled to be released at a Season Reveal at 3 p.m. Sunday, April 28, in Musikfest Cafe at ArtsQuest Center at SteelStacks.
The event is open to the public.
