Though his roots are in bluegrass and contemporary country, up-and-coming singer/songwriter Trey Hensley, 19, has eclectic taste in music.

"If you hit shuffle on my iPod, you'll go from Merle Haggard to the Beatles to Ray Charles," Hensley said. "Though my music fits into the genre of country, I never wanted to be tied down by any particular type of music. I try to incorporate all my influences into my songs and performances."

Hensley's musical inspirations are further evidenced on his new album "It is What it is."

He will perform tracks from the album Saturday at the Community Performance Center in downtown Rock Hill, along with original material and audience requests. The album features covers from Conway Twitty to Elton John, reborn in the soulful country flavor that has come to define Hensley's sound.

Influenced by his grandfather, who introduced him to country music greats Hank Williams and George Jones, Hensley discovered his voice at the age of 7, singing in church choirs in his hometown of Jonesborough, Tenn. Having received his first guitar at the age of 10, Hensley immediately knew what genre of music that he wanted to carve his niche in.

"I wanted to play bluegrass; that's what I loved and that's what I knew," Hensley said. "And the places my music took me from there really amazed and humbled me."

Opry, June and Johnny

Places such as the Grand Ole Opry, where he performed at the age of 11. And as word of his virtuoso talent spread, it gave Hensley the opportunity to rub shoulders with some of his musical heroes, such as Charlie Daniels.

But in June 2002, Hensley's talent caught the attention of one of music's most iconic figures, creating a moment that leaves the young singer at a loss for words.

"I performed at June Carter Cash's 73rd and final birthday party," Hensley said. "Johnny [Cash] was of course there and we played music together. Looking back, it was really surreal, like a dream. You play and don't think about it, but I was still in awe."

Yet, as he amassed success and memories at such a young age, Hensley wasn't content being pigeonholed into the bluegrass genre. He knew that, to reach his goals, he needed to make a change.

Trying a new genre

That change came at age 17, when he decided to go electric and enter the realm of contemporary country music. And like another one of his musical idols, Bob Dylan, Hensley's decision brought a backlash.

"It was the hardest year of my career thus far," Hensley said. "I thought people would jump for it, but a lot of the locals were not having it.

"I wanted to be accepted, but at the same time, I wanted to be happy with myself. And if I can wake up in the morning with no regrets, then there's nothing to worry about."

These days, Hensley balances his time between touring with his four-piece band and writing original material for a new album, which he hopes to begin recording this month.

Hensley said his new music will weave more of his influences into the sonic landscape.

"I want to be an artist that's around for the next 20 years and beyond," Hensley said. "Of course I'd like to be widely known, but if my music touches one person, then I'm content with it."

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To call Trey Hensley an “old soul” or “throwback” misses the point. His take on country music isn’t merely a neo-traditional rearrangement of the musical furniture, but a complete gut of the room...Hensley’s voice oozes a worldliness difficult to reconcile with his youth...And he is also one mean guitar picker; on Larry Gatlin’s “Billy Jack Willis” Hensley pulls out a passel of hot licks, twisting his Telecaster’s strings into musical shapes reminiscent of the late Jerry Reed and Don Rich. Bass runs completment his upper-register pedal-steel riffs, which ground his playing and keep it melodically driven.

Is the world of “hot” country music ready for a classic throwback? Trey Hensley aims to find out. "It Is What It Is" has more soul in the first 10 seconds than you’ll find in an hour on any commercial country music radio station.

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Trey’s new CD received a super review by Chuck Dauphin of Music News Nashville!

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TREY HENSLEY/It Is What It Is
Writer: Steve Wariner/Lane Turner/Rick Carnes; Producers: Paul Martin & Steven Robinson; Publisher: Steve Wariner/Major Bob/Songs of Peer, BMI/ASCAP; Kid in the Hat (track)

—I have praised this teenage prodigy’s talents before. The title tune to his latest collection has a delightful Buck Owens vibe. Co-writer Wariner provides the stinging guitar licks. Essential listening.

This excellent recording includes vocal collaborations with some of country music's greatest performers...
Janie Fricke, Steve Wariner and the Oak Ridge Boys Duane Allen, Joe Bonsall and Richard Sterban.