The War and Treaty Return to the Bijou Theatre this Thursday (October 30th)!

When Michael and Tanya Trotter — better known as The War and Treaty — talk about Knoxville, they do so with genuine warmth. “We love Knoxville,” Tanya says with a smile. “It’s a big city, but it feels like home.” The dynamic husband-and-wife duo will return to the Bijou Theatre on October 30th, a venue they cherish for its intimacy and energy. “The Bijou is perfect,” Tanya adds. “Every seat feels close, and every performance there feels personal.”

Founded in Maryland and later rooted in Albion, Michigan, The War and Treaty began as a heartfelt musical experiment — Michael on piano, Tanya on tambourine and vocals, and a dream to make honest music. That experiment blossomed into one of the most powerful partnerships in modern Americana. Their music, steeped in blues, gospel, and soul, has carried them from basement recordings to collaborations with icons like Chris Stapleton and Al Green.

From Solo Stage to Shared Spotlight

Before The War and Treaty, Tanya built a successful solo career — even appearing in Sister Act 2. Shifting from a solo spotlight to a shared harmony wasn’t easy. “Being a solo artist teaches you independence,” she explains. “But being in a group — especially with your spouse — teaches you how to share, how to blend, how to love another person’s art form.”

For Michael, a U.S. Army veteran who learned piano overseas, that partnership carries deep gratitude. “My time in the Army keeps me grounded,” he says. “It reminds me what I’ve done for our country and how thankful I am to still be here making music.”

Together, their voices create a sound that’s both beautiful and haunting — two souls intertwined through song.

Music, Marriage, and Meaning

When asked how they balance love and work, Michael laughs. “I’m just learning to let Tanya take the lead — and to practice two words: ‘Shut up.’” Tanya grins at that honesty. Their dynamic, built on humor and humility, shines through in their performances — and in the mutual respect that underpins everything they do.

They don’t separate marriage and music; to them, it’s all one thing. “It’s about learning to listen, to let go of ego, and to trust,” Tanya says. “Every song is a lesson in love and growth.”

A Deeper Connection

Fans feel that sincerity. Every harmony seems to carry real emotion — the kind that moves audiences to tears. “We want people to see vulnerability,” Michael says. “We want them to follow the storyline and have a good time — that’s it.”

The couple’s gratitude extends beyond the stage. They still recall advice from musical director Ricky Minor (of Whitney Houston and the Oscars fame), who once asked them, “What’s it all for? What’s your reason?” That question continues to guide them — a reminder to stay humble, stay grateful, and stay true to their “why.”

Looking Ahead

As they look to the future, The War and Treaty have new music on the horizon and dreams of hosting their own festival — “a space for love, healing, and community.”

“If fans remember us 20 years from now,” Tanya says, “I hope they say, ‘That was the love band — the one that loved people, loved each other, and loved humanity.’”

It’s a message the world needs — and one Knoxville will feel firsthand when this remarkable duo steps on stage at the Bijou. Get Tickets