Interview: Jamie Trent
Christian Country singer/songwriter Jamie Trent, from Lynchburg, VA, recently released a single called 'Always Enough'. Louder Than The Music spoke to Jamie to hear the inspiring and motivational story behind the song, and how the experiences of a football coach led him to write it.
For those who haven't heard of you before, can you tell us a bit about yourself and how you got involved in making music?
I have been involved with music dating back to my days in high school. It wasn’t until a few years ago that I started releasing my own songs. Like many other folks, I struggled with self-doubt and continue to work through it.
You recently released a song called 'Always Enough', and there's a really great story behind how you wrote it. Can you tell us about what inspired the song?
Back in 2019, Coach Hugh Freeze was hired on as the new Football Coach for Liberty University. I didn’t know much about him prior to that, other than what I read on the internet about his time at Ole Miss and the issues surrounding his departure. What I found inspiring about Coach Freeze and his story is that he owned up to every mistake and kept moving forward. God allows us to right the ship if we believe. I felt so inspired by his story that I reached out to Coach Freeze to see if he would allow me to interview him for a potential song I wanted to write. He accepted! I must admit, it was one of the highlights of my personal and professional career. One thing that stuck with me during the interview is this; every year, Coach Freeze has a 'word' that sort of defines that particular moment in time. Back in 2019, his word was, 'ENOUGH'. He is enough. That is where the song title came from. In the end, I think I actually learned more about myself than anything else. That interview was an absolute blessing to me.
Do you have any plans to release more music in the near future?
I have a new one I just released last week called, “Time-Out Chair”. I wrote that song with my great buddy and outstanding Nashville Singer/Songwriter, Arlis Albritton.
What message would you like people to take from your music?
One of my musical mentors once told me, “Jamie, writing to the radio will make you a liar”. It took me awhile to fully embrace and understand what that actually meant. My hope is that people can feel the authenticity in my music. I hope and pray that each song is thought provoking for the listener.
How would you describe your style of music and what are your influences?
Positive Country/Coastal Americana.
If you could work with any songwriter, who would it be and why?
Travis Meadows. This guy could have given up many many times over the years. Some would say that life has not been his friend. I admire him for getting back up and working even harder. He is an outstanding Singer/Songwriter.
How would you define success in your career as an artist?
I am not a big fan of labels like “success”. That is for God to decide. I just want to release music that I hope folks can relate to.
What is your favorite album of all time?
Mary Gauthier’s, “Rifles and Rosary Beads”.
You're stuck on an island, it's hot, you only have enough battery life left to listen to one song on your phone. What track is it?
“Mercy Now” by my great friend, Mary Gauthier.
What does the next year hold for you?
We shall see. I have learned over the years that God has a real sense of humor. So it should be another wild ride.
