A change in career direction is common in a tumultuous economy. But for Trey Hensley,
it’s been one of choice not of necessity. After picking up a guitar at the age of 10, he
quickly took the bluegrass world by storm —even performing on the Grand Ole Opry
when he was 11. Three years ago, the now 19-year old artist followed his
heart and interests into the world of country music. 
Now, with his second
country CD, titled “It Is What It Is,” that was released on July 4th, the Jonesborough, TN
native is heading out playing his own brand of traditional honky-tonk music.
Called a “bona fide hillbilly rock star” by Marty Stuart, Trey’s new CD is a combination
of new, radio-friendly contemporary songs as well as songs with the classic sound of
some of his heroes. The release offers covers originally performed by
Elton John, Conway Twitty, Jimmy Dickens and The Gaither Vocal band. He’s also
included covers written by Charlie Daniels, Larry Gatlin and Jeannie Seeley, along with songs that have never been released written by Steve Wariner, the great
Johnny Russell and Chuck Allan Floyd.
Some legendary singers even stopped in to sing with Hensley on the CD.
“It was
unbelievable to me that some of my heroes would actually come in and record with me,”
Hensley said from the studio in Nashville. The special guests include Steve Wariner;
Janie Fricke, and Duane Allen, Joe Bonsall and Richard Sterban of The Oak Ridge
Boys. “For as long as I can remember, music has been a focal point of my life. These
artists have played the background music to my life, so to hear their voices on the same
tracks as mine, is an honor and a dream come true.”
Last summer, Hensley hit the road with his four-piece band for a tour that will carried him
from Philadelphia to Los Angeles , Nebraska to North Carolina and beyond. His tour
included headlining dates in theaters and outdoor venues as well as opening for artists
like Steve Wariner, former Alabama front-man Randy Owen and Marty Stuart.
“I realize how far I have to go to achieve my dreams in music,” Hensley said, “but when I
look back and see performances for the President and Vice president of the United States,
for some of our wounded military heroes, and playing my music on the stage of the
Grand Ole Opry and elsewhere, I recognize just how fortunate I am to get to do this for a
living. I’ve got a great band, and I love singing and playing my music. As long as
anybody wants to hear me, I’m going to be out there doing it!”
