The soulful Americana duo originally hailing from Michigan found favor with WYCE listeners and programmers when it comes to their latest studio album. View the full chart at Local Spins.
So Happy to Perform: The War and Treaty in Grand Rapids last month. (Photo/Chelsea Whitaker)
When The War & Treaty packed The Stache in Grand Rapids to capacity with rabidly enthused fans for their long-awaited homecoming show last month, it exemplified how West Michigan has embraced the acclaimed, soulful Americana duo from Albion.
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Now, there’s further proof of that devotion and popularity: The War & Treaty’s latest studio album, “Lover’s Game,” soared straight to the top of the Local Spins Hot Top 5 Chart for April, marking the release by an act from Michigan that drew the most radio airplay on Grand Rapids’ WYCE (88.1 FM).
The Mercury Nashville/Universal Music Group album produced by the Grammy Award-winning Dave Cobb also has risen to No. 56 on Billboard’s national Top Current Albums Chart.
“It feels so amazing, especially getting recognition from a place like Grand Rapids,” said Michael Trotter Jr., who co-leads the now-Nashville-based band with his wife, Tanya Trotter.
“The reaction has been super-positive. So much love for Dave Cobb and his skills as producer. We see the advantage of having his expertise.”
The eclectic album so far has produced three singles: “That’s How Love is Made,” “Lover’s Game” and “Ain’t No Harmin’ Me.”
After completing their spring tour behind the new album on Saturday in Nashville, the band – with music director and Michigan native Max Brown – will join country powerhouse Chris Stapleton’s “All-American Road Show” tour next month, including a June 2 date at Van Andel Arena (a 12,000-set venue compared with the 400-capacity Stache inside The Intersection).
“We love to perform,” Trotter told Local Spins. “We love being with the fans. We love getting their feedback as well. Nothing more exciting than being with the fans.”
Coming in at No. 2 on April’s Hot Top 5 Chart was the debut album from a Michigan super-group: Moss Manor, featuring Seth Bernard, Michael Dause (The Accidentals) and Dan Rickabus (The Crane Wives). The trio released its self-titled recording in February.
Grand Rapids pop-rock/country band Tiny Car Army marched to No. 3 with “Sunshine Vibes EP,” followed by West Michigan vintage country act The Bootstrap Boys (“Hungry & Sober”) and Detroit-based jazz band Signal Quartet (“Second Exploration – The Music of Ben Wolkins”).
Check out tracks from all of the releases below and view previous Hot Top 5 Charts here.
THE LOCAL SPINS HOT TOP 5 ON SPOTIFY: April 2023
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