Trey Calloway has been a busy man over the last year and a half.
Several single releases and an EP are set to culminate in the release of his second full-length album, Wanted Man, later this year. The latest taste he’s given from the album, a fiddle-laden tune about finding a new flame in a honky tonk, offers a hopeful, albeit probably naive, perspective of being open to falling in love again after a heartbreak.
We chatted with Calloway all about “Neon Lies,” as well as staying busy in the studio and on the road, his songwriting successes and more!
Pro Country: You’ve stayed very busy with new releases over the last few years, including an EP release and a handful of subsequent singles since the beginning of 2023. How important has it been for you to stay busy with releases and to continuously have new music to offer?
Trey Calloway: Making original music and entertaining others is my passion, so it’s crucial for me to consistently release new music. Over the past 15 months, I’ve released my five-song EP Worth A Shot, five additional singles that will be included on my 2024 album Wanted Man, my first-ever collaboration, “Workin’ Thang,” and three music videos, the most recent of which debuted on CMT. “Neon Lies” is the sixth song that will become part of my album set to release later this year. Currently, I have six more songs recorded for release this year, including some of my own new favorites that I can’t wait to share! My favorite place to be is in the recording studio bringing songs to life to share with others. Since moving to Nashville, I’ve really enjoyed co-writing with others and have written hundreds of songs, many of which I’d love to record. Everything else I do in the industry is a job that enables me to pursue my passion of creating meaningful music that others will hopefully like and enjoy, so staying busy with new releases for me is a big part of what keeps me going.
PC: To that point, “You Are” from your 2023 EP Worth a Shot has not only been the top-performer of that batch of releases, but one of the top-performers in your catalog. What do you think it is about “You Are” that has allowed it to have the life it has had and allowed it to connect with listeners?
TC: I think “You Are” appeals to people because its message and melody are classic and timeless. It’s a light, beautiful, yet fun love song that many people can relate to. If I’m being honest, I’ve been a little surprised about how well “You Are” has been received, and for me, it was the sleeper release of this past year. In retrospect, I think the song paints a picture of what’s important and good in life in a pure, genuine way that connects with listeners. “You Are” has also been well-received by the songwriting world. It’s currently a semi-finalist in the American Songwriter 2023 Song Contest and in 2023 was named as a Top 10 finalist by the Texas Country Music Association Awards for Songwriter of the Year.
PC: Why did you feel that your new single, “Neon Lies,” was the right follow up to your last release, “Miss Gone By Morning”?
TC: “Neon Lies” tells the story of two lonely people working to mend their hearts. They connect in a bar and make each other feel special and optimistic about finding love again. While in the moment they’re enjoying each other’s attention and sharing plans and dreams, they both know it’s simply a casual infatuation fueled by music, neon lights and partying. I hope “Neon Lies”’ is relatable for those who’ve had to get back into the dating game and just need a fun, flirtatious night out to make them feel better and hopeful for the future. I think “Neon Lies” is a good follow-up to “Miss Gone By Morning” because it’s more of a diehard honkytonk ballad about people making each other feel good, in comparison to the rocking vibe of “Miss Gone By Morning” about a heartbreaking woman. I like to mix it up and offer listeners a wide variety of sounds and stories, so I believe “Neon Lies” does that well on the heels of “Miss Gone By Morning.”
PC: You wrote “Neon Lies” with Steven Cade and Colin Cross. Can you take us in the room and talk about how the song came together?
TC: Steven Cade and Colin Cross are two friends and great musicians. The “Neon Lies” hook was something that Colin had been thinking about, so he threw out the idea of a chance first meeting in a bar and how difficult that can be. We immediately loved that hook, and from there, “Neon Lies” came together easily. The situation was relatable for all three of us, so ideas flowed and we had a good time creating it with the belief that others would connect with it too.
PC: You recently won Songwriter of the Year for your single “One Tough Job” at the 2023 Texas Country Music Awards. What did winning an award from within the industry mean to you last year?
TC: I wrote “One Tough Job” about my father, who’s a hard-working, good man who cares about his family. Because of that, I was especially touched and honored that this song is the one that the Texas Country Music Association picked for Songwriter of the Year and that I got to perform at Billy Bob’s in Fort Worth as part of the Awards program. I can’t begin to tell you how much it means to me for the Texas Country Music Association to welcome me into their family as a newcomer on the Texas scene. Their support and encouragement has helped me to bring my music to Texas and opened the door for opportunities to entertain people across the state. I’ve met so many really great musicians, industry experts and fans in Texas, and I’m really looking forward to my time in the Lone Star State in 2024!
PC: Your website shows a busy live schedule laid out for March, where you’ll be playing nearly every day, and you have a spring tour of Texas on the books as well. How much have you enjoyed keeping a packed schedule and staying on stages?
TC: Besides writing and recording, entertaining people is what makes me happy and inspires me to keep grinding. If I can help others or bring them joy through my music, then I consider myself successful. Because of this, keeping a packed schedule and playing on stages is essential to me continuing down this path. I’ll be touring in Texas this month, as well as later in the year, in addition to my regular shows in Nashville and summer tours already scheduled in the Carolinas, Ohio and Indiana!
PC: After the release of “Neon Lies,” what do you have planned for the rest of 2024?
TC: After “Neon Lies”, my next release, “Forgotten Man,” is scheduled for May, with five additional recordings set to release every six weeks throughout 2024. In the fall, I also plan to release my second album, Wanted Man. I’m continuing to write music daily and really hoping to return to the recording studio this fall to lay down even more new songs. I have a lot of new music and touring planned for this year and the foreseeable future.
PC: Is there anything you’d like to add?
TC: My sincere hope is to make all the people who’ve been with me on this journey for so many years proud, while capturing the hearts of new listeners. I’d love to introduce an entirely new generation to the kind of country that was playing on the radio when they were too young to listen. With songs like “Neon Lies,” I’m hoping to pave the way for my modern take on the decades old tradition that is country music. Be sure to follow me on social media to stay up-to date on all new releases, tour dates, and more throughout 2024!
* Find Trey on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, Spotify and his website*
**”Neon Lies” is featured on The Best of Pro Country playlist!**
Pro Country 
Great to hear of your continuing success Trey. Makes it kinda special having been privileged to hear you front Pharr Roads in your ‘early days’. Best of good fortune to you in the future!
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