The War and Treaty | Dumb Blonde Podcast

Bunny XO. >> She's a Vegas girl. >> Bunny XO blonde podcast and Bunny X. >> Talk to me about. two of the coolest kids. Is this thing on? What's up, Eexers? Welcome to another episode of Dumb. Blonde. Today I have my friends here and.

I am so excited. Tanya and Michael. Troder aka the Warren Treaty. >> Oh, I am so honored to have you guys on. the couch. >> Oh, you have no idea. >> I've been waiting to get on this. >> You [laughter] you interview my favorite. person of all time. And she didn't even. know. And people who know me will. probably not believe. >> who I'm going to say. >> Who? Who? Who? >> Renee. >> Graciano. Oh, she is a the best human in. the world. >> I was like,

>> she would love you guys. I got to. introduce you guys. She has a podcast. >> I'm going to hook you guys up with her. >> I'm in love with I'm like I. >> Wait a minute. He said I'm in love three. times. >> I know. I was just about to say about to. see how we got our name. >> I heard you have a thing for older women. cuz Tanya's older than you, correct? And. your hall pass I heard was Martha. Stewart. >> Oh, I have many hall passes. >> Yes, he does. [laughter]. I mean, >> you don't want to go there if you don't. want to go there. Let's open it up. Let's open it up. >> I have a short list. He has a long list. >> That's [laughter] right. >> Yeah. >> All right. Tanya Tanya, who are your.

hall passes and then we'll get into his. >> Well, I have one guy. He's the guy who. was the lead in tutors. >> I don't know who John Rimes. >> Tom Rimes. Give John Rimes. >> Give it a I need a goog. >> I think his name is Reese. Is it John. Reese? What? Whatever it is. >> Okay. Wait. You ever seen August Rush? That movie? August Rush? >> No. >> You ever Okay. I'm trying to think what. else he. >> Johnny Depp. >> Oh, of course. Jade Jade Depp. I mean 21. Jump Street Johnny Depp is you can't. even touch him. >> I know, right? >> Johnny Depp's my all passion. >> No, no, no.

>> I actually love Pirates of the. Caribbean. Johnny Depp, too. >> Dark. I love He's dark, you know? It has. to have that dark energy. And then I. like Idris. Idris is my guy. >> I don't know who Idris is. >> Ela. >> Idris. Ela. >> I need to see both of both of. >> British man. >> I love it. And does he have that dark. mystique, too? He does. Do you think. because you're such a light and like an. You almost give me like an empathic. >> I am. Yep. I'm an empath. >> Yeah. Cuz I'm drawn to dark men, too. My. husband, believe it or not, when we. first got together was very he's always. been very light, but he he had so many.

demons that he was battling and I was. like, >> "Let me fix you.". >> That's Michael is a dark He's He's a. Pisces, so. >> Oh, he's very. >> everything's very emotional. He likes to. keep everything dark. He doesn't like. the lights on. I'm like, "What is this? We need to have light. I like. everything." I'm wearing light colors. now. >> You I I actually like this. It. compliments everything. They look good. I'm trying my I'm trying to do my thing. >> Yeah, you guys look so good together. I'm actually a Pisces Venus, so I love. my uh my love language is of a Pisces, so I get it. We are very deep um.

escapists. >> Come on. There's nothing wrong with. that. >> Highly emotional. >> Yes. >> But we're very romantic. >> Very romantic. >> We're like um hopeless romantics, too. And I'm a Libra, so I love that. You. know, we're the we're the sign of love. You know, everything love and balance. >> And the balance. You keep him balanced. Got to have it all. >> I love Oh, you keep me balanced. >> I do. [laughter] You know, [clears throat] I do. >> This going to be a long podcast. I don't. >> listen. I watched your TED talk. Okay. She keeps you balanced, sir. [laughter]. >> Okay.

>> Don't try to backtrack now. >> That's it. That's it. She has footage. [laughter]. >> I do. I did my research and I tried and. listen. I tried to dig for some dirt on. y'all. So, I expect I want all the. >> dirt. Yeah, I got dirt. But let's get. into your hall pass list. So Martha. Stewart, so you have a thing for older. women. Where do you think this comes. from? >> Uh. I think my mom. >> Okay. >> My mother. I mean like the values and. and just what I was allowed to watch. like what I grew up watching on TV, you.

know. And so my first ever Hall pass was. Felicia Rashad. >> Oh yeah. Miss Claire Hust. God. I mean like even right now I was. like obsessed. did [laughter] it. >> He rolls over in the bed. He's like, "Look at this. It's like some 90-y old. woman." I'm like, "Great. She's fine.". Pudding in hopes [laughter] that one. day. >> She's going to appear like. >> she's going to magically [laughter]. appear. >> Absolutely not. >> And I'm like, "Can I put the jello. pudding in you?". >> Like Claire Hus won. [laughter] It's.

going to be some weird This is This is. going to be a weird like I'm about to. snitch on myself. Annette Benning. >> Oh, Annette Benning is hot though. That. was, wasn't she with um Warren Batty? She was with Warren Batty for a long. time. >> Yes. Yes, she was. Uh her um uh Renee. >> Renee Graziano, baby. Rene Rene coming. for you, baby. I'm [laughter] hooking. you guys up. Who did you just say? You. You said, >> "You know what? Let me see if I could. FaceTime Renee REALLY QUICK. MY GOD. ARE.

YOU TRYING TO GET MY MARRIAGE?" She is. She trying [laughter]. to Okay, let me FaceTime. I don't know. if she'll answer because she's going to. be like, "What in the hell is funny. face?". >> But you know something? I have no music. industry. Uh what do you call it? Uh. crushes. >> You didn't say Dors Day. Is she live? >> Dora's Day is hot, man. >> Day is is is the number two. >> Okay. >> Let's see. Let's see if Renee answers. Hopefully, she will. If not, I'll text. her and tell her to call. >> just so you guys.

>> Oh my god. >> Hello, beautiful. >> I swear on everything holy. You just ran. through my brain today. >> A well, we [laughter]. are you're live on the podcast right. now. My my my friends the Warren Treaty. are here. So Tanya and Michael Troder, he's in love with you. You're his pass. >> He is. >> You are his hall pass. So I was like, you know what? RENEE HAS A [laughter] I. WAS LIKE, Renee has a podcast. We got to. hook you guys up.

>> Let's do it. JUST PROMISE ME YOU WON'T TAKE MY. HUSBAND HUGGING YOU [laughter] RIGHT. NOW. All this man is hugging you. >> Can you see them? [laughter]. >> She's not. >> My grandson standing behind me going, "WHO'S THIS?" [laughter]. >> I LOVE IT. I'm going to plug Hi, baby. Hi. Oh, what a cutie pie. All right, I'm. going to plug you guys in. >> That is That just happened. That's why. we're here. >> I'm going to plug you guys in. I'm going. to give him your information so you guys. can talk about a podcast.

>> You got it. >> All right. Bye, baby. I love you. so. much. >> I told you I told you this day was for. me. >> It is for you. >> This is why but it's it's I called her. So I did this for you. What do I get in. return? >> You know, I'm. >> Yeah, [laughter] the universe is working. through you. >> I don't like older women though. >> I like it. So, >> we got to have a DIFFERENT KIND OF. [laughter]. >> Tanya said I don't like older women. though. It's not for me. This would be I. would just watch. >> But see, okay. [laughter] So So I'm I'm. gonna give you I'm gonna give you the.

real. >> Okay. Okay. When my mom came home in 95, was it 95? Okay, so 95, >> mom came home with this movie and she. was like, >> "We're gonna have family movie night.". We had never had family movie night like. ever. I mean, we don't do that. That's. not our family. >> So my mom put this movie on, my brother, my sister and I were sitting down and. it's Sister Act, too. So I'm like, "Okay, you know, I'm a big fan of Sister. Act. We'll be go over, you know, the.

whole nine." And I was like, "Yeah, that's that's the movie." So two, I had. I hadn't known that there was a two. >> and it was kids, you know. I saw Lauren. Hill, I saw Ryan Toby, Jennifer Love. Hewitt, you know, um Yo-Yo is in there. I mean, like everything like all the. kids. And then this angel came across. the screen. and I lie to you not, it was Tanya. And. I told my mom and dad, I was like, "Oh, that that's my wife.". >> No, >> he did. Oh,

>> I was 9 years old. >> I love that story. >> And I was like, >> "Yeah.". >> So, let me get this right because I I. did I I knew this about you guys and I. thought it was like the coolest story. ever of just like the what do they call. it? The um string theory. >> where it's like you you see somebody but. you don't know them and then later on in. life you guys end up together like um so. you were in Sister Act too. >> How did you Okay. So, you grew up. singing, you started you grew up in Take. me on this journey really quick. Let's. dive into this and then we'll we'll.

connect it all together. >> Church, you know, grew up in a Baptist. church in Washington DC. Grew up. singing, >> always singing around in in the town. Um, always wanting to do music. I can't. since I was 8 years old, I can't. remember. >> Yeah. >> Outside of when I got in college, ever. not wanting to do music. It was either. that or become an entertainment lawyer. >> Yeah. >> Either either. >> Your father was a police officer. >> My father was a police officer and he. was in the army. He went to the army as. well as Michael did. And I just wanted. to do that. My mother was a singer. She. sang classical music in Panama. I'm half.

Latina. And so I grew up hearing all. kinds of stuff. And so um just moving. around DC and then I met Michael. I did. Sister Act. Whoa. No, let me scale back. Let me scale [laughter] back. So I did a. bunch of performing arts stuff. I'm. getting right to get right back to the. good stuff. And uh went and auditioned. in LA for Sister A. Made Got the Movie. >> How old were you? >> I was 17. >> Okay. So you were in your teen years. already. I was 17 and he liked me at. eight. So that wouldn't work out, you. know. [laughter].

>> But uh. >> cuz you're 9 years old. >> I'm 9 years older than you got. >> And weird. >> Yeah, it was real weird. It just seems. weird now, you know, when you think. about it. >> I'm almost 5 years older than Jay, so I. guess Yeah. But it's cool, you know. And. so I did a record with Island Records. when I was 17, right after we did the. movie and did the whole R&B thing for a. couple of years and that was really fun. and cool and was signed to I don't know. if I should say his name, but I was with. Diddy for a couple years. >> Really? >> Yeah. I was over there with him. And. >> awesome. Were you signed So let's let's.

rewind it back. Um, so you grew up in. Washington DC with your family. So you. kind of grew up in the suburbs. We're. just painting a picture for everybody. here cuz I know that you had a. completely different upbringing, [laughter] right? So, you grew up in the. suburbs. You know, you were singing, you. were doing acting, doing movies. What. were you What was it like with your. family growing up? Like, how were you. guys a close-knit family? >> We were. My mom and dad divorced when I. was like eight. So, it wasn't like the. perfect picture, painted picture, but I. spent a lot of time in Newburn, North. Carolina with my grandparents and um my.

cousins and stuff like that. So, the. family was very tight. like you know my. friends I didn't have friends outside of. my neighbor next door because all my. friends were my cousins you know and. that's how I thought it was summer camp. but it wasn't summer camp it was hanging. out with my cousins and you know my. grandparents so I had that lifestyle and. went to public schools went to Catholic. schools and everything and it was just. it was just great you know and my. parents and when they divorced that was. kind of like. >> you know as a kid you know I really used.

music to be that thing that kind of. carried me through that pain, you know, because every child they go through a. divorce, you see a happy family and then. it ends up being not a happy family. You. go through that transition. So, I had. that transition happen for me and but. again, music was always that thing that. kept me and I would always find a talent. show or something to do, you know, that. had me busy. Whether it was modeling, it. was in pageantss, whatever. I was doing. a thing just to keep me busy from what.

was going on in my own house. Did you. always have that voice? Cuz you have a. very powerful voice. >> It's so good. >> Since I was eight. >> Yeah. >> I think um how I figured out I could. sing was crazy because my brother was. the singer of the family. He was the. famous one. You know, in churches. there's always the famous [laughter]. >> there's there's the one everybody goes. to. And so there was this one Sunday. morning, I had to be about maybe seven. and I we're four years apart. Um, and my. brother was 13 to 14. And I remember him.

just lighting the church up. Like people. were falling out. They were like rolling. around on the ground, you know, typical. Baptist church thing. And I was like, man, whatever he's doing to make people. feel like that, I want to do that. So I. remember going home that week and I said. to him, you know, how do you do what you. do? You know, can you show me how to do. it? And he was working some little job. in the city and went out and got me. Whitney Houston's record. And Jennifer. Holidayiday, who was a a singer in the '.

80s, and he was like, "Now, if you want. to do this," he was like, "I want to. hear you sing something that sounds like. her or something that like sounds like. this. If you can't sing any of one of. those songs, you need to forget about. being a singer." I was like, "Really? It's just that cut and dry. No. pressure." Right? [laughter] So, I went. on the path, you know, of just studying. with my little vinyl downstairs in the. basement and singing at the top of my. lungs, you know, to to hit those notes. And my brother was the one that kind of. like pushed me into wanting to do it. And I always knew um once that voice.

came, I was like, "This is it." And I. found it just by looking at him saying, "I want to do that." You know? >> A What's your favorite Whitney Houston. song? >> Oh my god, it's so many. >> I know. I mean, how can you. [clears throat] pick just one? What's. your favorite Whitney Houston song to. sing? >> That's a hard one. >> Let me see. I I love Didn't We Almost. have It All. >> Oh my gosh, so good. I just got. goosebumps. Yeah, I love that one. I. love um All the Man I Need. Um. >> well, you know, Miss Tanya, I'm going to. ask you to sing a little snippet so.

everybody can hear it. Everybody can. hear your voice. [laughter]. >> I'm not good with lyrics. SO. >> OH, DUDE, JUST do whatever you can. because that voice, people need to hear. it. I mean, I know they got to hear it. on, you know, on your records and stuff. like that, but I need we need to hear it. in studio. >> Okay. Oh, god. I've got to hear it at at. award shows, and you guys are. phenomenal. So, >> Okay. Okay, [laughter]. just put me on the spot. Okay, let me. see. Um, >> that's what I do, baby. >> Let me see. Uh, I'm going to do.

um what's the one we just did? Uh, I. always love you. I love that. >> I'll do just a little piece of it, >> which is a Dolly Parton original. >> It's a Dolly Parton original. >> We love Dolly Part. [laughter]. >> cuz I don't know if I know all the. lyrics. >> Sleep at night, all that stuff. >> Oh, okay. No, cuz I don't know that part. I know. what you want. I want TO KNOW WHAT YOU. DO. [laughter]. >> I want to know. I WANT TO KNOW THAT. PART. OKAY. UM, >> if [singing] I.

should. stay, I would. leave. your way. So I'll [singing] go. But I. know. I'll think of you.

every step of. the way. [singing]. The way. [singing]. And I. will always. love you. [crying and screaming]. I [singing].

will always love. you. I. [screaming] will always [singing]. love. you. >> [singing]. >> Look at my arms. [laughter] LOOK AT MY. ARMS. MY NIPPLES ARE HARD. ALL RIGHT. LIKE MY DOG EVEN WOKE UP AND WAS LIKE, "HELLO." [laughter]. LIKE, "This is crazy.".

>> Tanya, YOU'RE LITERALLY CRYING. >> NO. MICHAEL, do you make her sing You to. sleep at night? >> No, I know the truth about this. >> Yes, I do. Yes, I do. [laughter] I have. to do other things at night. >> Oh, do tell me doesn't sing in the. house. >> I don't. >> really Why do you think that is? >> I don't know. I think because it's work. >> Okay. >> And because. >> I respect that. >> I'm like, we you know, you know the.

life. We're doing this 24/7. So when I. come home and now he's taking this away. from me. I'm like, I want to clean and I. want to do all the household stuff. And. >> wait, I'm taking away from you. You you. fussed at me and told me to get a house. [laughter]. >> No. No. You know what? It's only. >> Listen, we have one, too. And I. understand where you're coming from. because sometimes it's like therapeutic. for us to clean. So, I'll clean before. the maids come over. >> That's what I did. >> Like last night, I cleaned the bathroom. and Jay walked in. He goes, "Did you. clean the bathroom?" I go, "Yeah." He. goes, "You did better than the maids.

did." And I don't know if we're allowed. to call them maids anymore. What do we. call housekeepers? >> House uh Yes. >> Housekeepers. Housekeepers. So, yeah. So, he's like, "You clean better than. the housekeepers did, you know?" And I'm. like, >> that's what happened before we came. here. I like cleaned up and then some. people are pulling up. I'm like, who are. these people? And our daughter's like, I. think dad's here. They're coming to. clean up. I'm like, I just cleaned up. >> It was hard for me to give into that too. in the in the very beginning, too. Like. I was just like, I know. I just feel. like I feel like my womanly duties are. being taken from me. But now I'm like, "Oh Lord, when are they going to be.

here? Tuesday." Cuz I'm, you know, your. schedule gets so packed and you have so. much to do. And honestly, you deserve. that because you guys do work so hard. and you're on the road. So don't, you. know, mistake someone helping you as. like a weakness because it's not. We. need that. >> It's so hard to accept help, you know, when you've come because we, you know, our story is so weird, you know, crazy. We've been homeless. We went through the. whole, you know, all that. So it's just. been like. >> really crazy to just now receive. >> to just be able to sit back and kind of.

be in a safe space. Yeah, for sure. >> Yeah. >> So, you said that you signed with Diddy. How old were you when you signed with. Diddy? Was it Bad Boy that you said? >> I was with Bad Boy. I was with them for. six year five years. >> Okay. Mhm. >> Awesome. Yeah. How was that working with. him? Do you Is was it. >> You know, I was just talking to my old. manager and during the Biggie era. >> During the Biggie era. >> Oh, we were just talking about Biggie. this morning. >> So, you know, Biggie and everybody that. was there in the '90s, we we all got to. work together and party together and. stuff like that. >> Fun. How was it meeting uh Biggie?

>> Great. I mean, he was funny. He was he. was a genius. Go in the studio with no, you know, lyrics and stuff and just rip. it, you know. >> Wow. >> And so that's. >> to be able to freestyle. >> to be able to freestyle. It's crazy. And. Puffy was interesting because being with. him was like. >> to say the least, >> you know, he he was um my my manager. said this. We didn't see this Puffy that. people are talking about now. I never. saw him drink. I never saw him smoke. Maybe he did. I don't know. But I never. saw that guy. And being around him was.

kind of like being at school because you. were literally learning on the job. training how to market. I mean, this. guy, this is a guy that would have a. party and literally be on the streets. with his flyers and tickets passing them. out to people. >> and at the end of the night the party. would be packed and I'm like, "Wow, he. got all these people here." Because he. was on the streets earlier for three or. four hours. So, I think with the. everything has good and bad, you know, that comes with it. And to me it was. just a learning experience and I'm I'm.

really just really really appalled at. the stuff that I'm hearing about now. You know. >> I feel like um you know I feel like. maybe before all the fame and the ego. and you know I think with a certain. level of just. >> money [ __ ] kind of gets weird for some. people and you know like I said this. this is just you know me saying this. I. don't know Diddy personally and I can't. speak for him. Um, but I think, you. know, maybe somewhere along the line. something switched, but thankfully you. didn't have that experience with him. >> I never had that experience and I had.

protection, too. I was young, but I had. a manager that was like, "Oh, you're not. going to that party." Or, "No, you need. to be. >> you need to be in the bed." You know, that kind of thing. So, I think I was. protected. And a lot of that is God, you. know, just protecting me from whatever. was happening and the people that had to. experience it. I really feel felt bad. for them, you know. >> Yeah. So, you met Michael when you were. how old? >> Wow. Was I 30? [laughter]. 30. We've been together 14 years. So I. was. 36.

>> Okay. So we what we'll do is we'll we'll. go over to your upbringing and we'll. kind of bring you guys in together. So. you grew up in the streets of Cleveland. >> Yep. >> Take me on this journey because that's. completely different than what. >> baby girl over here grew up in. >> It's wild. I don't really, you know, Cleveland is not a a thing I talk about. often. So, and I don't really get asked. that, but this is interesting, you know. So, growing up in Cleveland, I grew up. in a strict Christian household, 7th Day. Adventist. >> Mhm. >> household, and it was like very cultish.

to me, you know, like I was telling you, [clears throat]. Friday night sundown all the way to. Saturday night sundown, it's nothing but. like God. So, you can't do anything, you. know? You can't watch TV. Uh, I couldn't. go outside and play with friends and. kids and none of that stuff. It was just. church, church, church. And. >> and um. >> that's heavy. >> It's it's deep. I mean, like it it it it. really uh. >> it it really altered my life for a.

minute there, you know. >> Well, it makes you angry. >> It I was very like on top of. >> it was a big contrast to what real life. was, you know? I mean, Friday to. Saturday is like, "Hallelujah, Jesus. Jesus." And then for the rest of the. week, you're just living like. So, it's. like, I don't get how this is panning. things out. And um, >> you know, um, in the Adventist faith, when you come into the church, you say, "Happy Sabbath,".

>> you know, so everything is like, >> "Happy Sabbath." Everybody's putting on. this painted face and saying they're. happy. And, >> you know, the divorce rate is extremely. high, you know, and. the drug rate is like super high, you. know, um and even in my household. So my. father was a a alcoholic and a drug. addict, but he was a school teacher as. well. >> So I started rebelling heavy. You know, he and my mom were were clashing. My mom. was, >> you know, she puts Jesus on everything.

And so she's not really uh being. protected. I'm her protection. Um and so. you know I I I turned to the streets. early you know and um. >> was it an abusive relationship also? >> Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Um but only when he. would would get high you know when the. drugs happened he's a different dude. >> Yeah. you know, and um. >> that's got to be such a for a child that. has to be such a a mind because it's. like Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, and then.

[clears throat] there's abuse, alcoholism, and drug, you know, and it's. just kind of when I I grew up in a very, we talked about this briefly before, I. grew up in a very strict Pentecostal. home, and my dad was a womanizer, cheating, and like I and I would just be. like I learned about hypoc, you know, hypocriticalness, if that's even a word, [laughter] about being a hypocrite very. early and it made me so angry cuz I'm. like everybody here is fake, you know, and it just makes you I I feel like it. contributes to rebellion as a child.

>> It does. And it it it teaches you also. how to lie. >> Yes. >> You know, and and in my household, I. mean, like uh. my my I'm the oldest. >> of all my siblings, too. Just just three. of us, but I'm the oldest. And my mother. uh her background, she couldn't tell the. truth about what was going on uh to her. parents and her sisters and her brother, you know. So all her friends uh and I. became my mom's confidant like very. early, you know, like I'm talking about.

my mother would just talk to me about. stuff at like four years old. >> That's a heavy load. >> Yeah. And I can remember every conver. like we we talk I can remember every. conversation I've ever had with my mom. She's my My mom is, you know, >> your best friend, >> my my lady. And um um but I also learned. responsibility very quick. >> Um we we just had this family. conversation about this. I had my first. real job when I was 5 years old.

>> Wow. >> Yeah. I would go to the corner store in. our neighborhood, Mr. Pharaoh's Corner. Store. And I asked him for a job cuz, you know, I thought I didn't know about. the drugs at that age. I thought we were. just poor and broke and and dad was just. stressed out and and needing help. You. know, I would always hear him talk about. he's not he didn't have enough money. >> Um and so the job I had, I would tie the. boxes from the shipments that would come.

in. I would zip tie the boxes and then. drag them across the street to the city. um dump. >> and I would do this. >> five. >> Yeah. At five. And I would get paid $8. >> um a day when I would go and do it. So. >> um. >> I would do that and and then I would buy. a loaf of bread. I'd buy uh baloney, cheese, uh punch, and I would have like some.

money left over to buy like Little. Debbie snack cakes for um me and my. brother. >> That's my heart. >> My mom. >> Well, my mom didn't realize that I was. that young, you know? We were bragging. about it and she was like, "Yeah, cuz he. he had his first job. He was he was. young man.". >> And I said to her, "How old do you think. I was?" She was like, "Oh, he was young. He had to be about like. >> 11 or 12." And I was like, "Well, mom, >> remember how you you sent me to the. corner store because you were pregnant.

with Deb, which is my sister, and she. just wasn't it just wasn't moving?" So. my mother had me buy all these Mars. chocolate bars cuz when she would eat. the chocolate, my sister would respond. in her belly. And she was like, "Yes, I. remember that." I was like, "Now, mom, Debbie and I are 6 years apart.". And she was like, and it it shocked her. All the trauma. blocked her from reality. It blocked her. from what really took place, you know,

and my dad. >> Um, but, you know, >> I turned to the streets and. uh Cleveland. uh had a strong gang life. >> You know, it it it still does in some. ways. And uh the gang association is. called Folks. Mhm. >> in Cleveland. And uh I had a cousin who. was very high up in the gang life in. Cleveland. And so I got my little. initiation and um I started selling, you.

know. I mean, I had. >> How old were you whenever you got. initiated in? >> I was 11. >> Oh my goodness. >> Yeah. Yeah. Like I got stabbed when I. was 12 and I think that was the turning. point. like I was laying in the streets. of Cleveland bleeding out and uh my. cousin had been killed. So, uh my mom. then was like, "We need to get out of. Cleveland and get to DC." And she was.

trying to at at that time she wanted to. escape my dad. This was like the straw. that brought the camel's back. Okay, my. baby is like he's going to die if he. stays here, you know. >> Were you in school during this or did. you have dropped out? You know, it's. crazy. I was in school, but not to be in. school. You know what I'm saying? So, I. was just doing doing going through the. motions. >> Yeah. [snorts] In fact, >> um when we finally went to DC, which was. 96, >> um. I I stayed in DC till about 98 before my.

mother sent me back to Cleveland to live. with my dad because I was whing. I mean. like. >> well I mean you you talk I I know you're. very open about the PTSD and stuff after. you had gotten out of the Iraq and which. we'll talk about that but. >> I feel like you went in having PTSD. I had I had a lot of different things, but I never knew how to identify them, >> right? >> You know, and yeah, PTSD is. >> I mean, being stabbed at 12,

>> that's trauma like. >> Yeah. >> emotional, physical, spiritual, you. know, >> you don't know what you're dealing with, you know? >> Yeah. I mean, you're so young to you're. not even supposed to be able to process. that kind of violence at 12. >> Yeah. But I think I was able to identify. that because I had seen it so early. >> with my with my pop, you know. And um. >> but it was weird because when I came. back home to live with my dad is when I. finally learned my dad.

>> How old were you? >> I was about tw um maybe 12 or 13 when I. went back to Cleveland. >> Gotcha. And um my dad shared, you know, everybody's got a story and my father. finally opened up to me. He had got some. help a little bit at this time and uh. told me that he had been on since he was. like 13. >> Like every you can imagine my dad had. already done it like and uh he was.

hiding trying to get some pain out of. him. Mhm. >> And my father, he comes from a uh, [clears throat] you know, he's got a big. family that he comes from. Uh, 13. siblings, but not all 13 are from his father, you. know, >> and the first set of kids, uh, his. brother, which was my uncle Andrew, uh, had actually raped my dad. And so that's. what uh and Andrew had mental mental.

mental issues, mental health problems. And so that's what sent my father down. that path. And and. >> um but I'm I'm happy to report even. today, you know, so mom and dad had got. divorced and then rekindled and got back. together. And. >> to to look at my dad or to hear him talk. or anything, you know, you would you. would think I'm lying because he's so. like. >> Yeah. free, sober, clean, you know, sweet. He's so sweet. >> Yay. Praise Jesus, though, right? So.

sweet. >> He's dope. You know, he's the dad today. He's the father I wish. >> I had growing up, but. >> I need him now. So that's that's what, you know, >> and to break that that trauma and that. that generational trauma it sounds like, from his family, like he he's doing it. and you know, like you're doing it, too. So you guys are like the the cycle. breakers in your guys' families. I. remember telling my father, you know, I. was like, um, when I found out that my.

dad had went bankrupt. and then, um, we lost everything, you. know, and and so dad and mom, you know, section 8 and all that kind of thing and. then finally rebuilding enough to like. get apartments and stuff. So my father. around 2015. had rebuilt his life so much that he had. just bought a house. A go dad. >> And I remember finding out like I was. like, "What are y'all doing?" And he was. like, "Oh, me and your mom just moving. our stuff in." I was moving stuff into.

what? He [laughter] was like, "Oh yeah, I bought a house." I'm like, "What the. [ __ ] do you mean you bought a like you. didn't even but but I remember telling. my dad that night. I was like, "Dad, >> you just broke a curse in all of our. lives. >> Now I can. >> make something happen with myself." cuz. we were like homeless from like 2010. >> to 2013. >> So let's let's circle back to so it all. comes to fruition.

>> So you got you saw her in Sister Act. You told your family like this is the. woman I'm going to marry. >> You you know they didn't think anything. of it. No. >> You you know are going through your. she's going through her. Everybody's. growing up and stuff like that. when. tell me about how you guys met and where. you guys met. >> Well, it's crazy because um I had so I. have to start here with my my first. daughter, you know. I had uh a baby. >> um and I had dropped out of high school,

>> you know, so high school was just done. for me. Like I had no. >> no um aspirations of going back or. trying to do anything. So, I I took my. GED test and they made me take this test. three different times because my score. was way too high. >> to be a high school dropout. I spent. like. >> three weeks in the ninth grade and I was. like, "All right, I'm done.". >> So, um. >> I got my GED, too. >> Passed it the first time. >> Y. >> I couldn't believe it. I was shocked. [laughter] I was LIKE, "HOW DID I DO.

THIS?". >> GENIUS. >> It's crazy that they say it takes eight. hours. >> It's [laughter] like it's 8 hour test. I. did it in like five. I mean, I was. trying to get the hell out of there, >> but uh I had an option to go to college. or to go to the army, >> and I had my my my baby and I was like, I refuse to raise like a bastard kid. Like, I'm not going to put her through. that. >> I don't care. >> Which is amazing considering how you. grew up that you had that dedication to. be a father. But. >> honestly, I think it's probably because.

your dad, >> you know, >> no matter what you guys went through, still was, you know, your dad. >> I mean, you're right because I remember. the the the fondest memory I have of my. dad, other than what we're creating now, is this. >> We were starving. I mean, like, we were looking in. cupboards. It was like a snowstorm in Cleveland. >> We had absolutely nothing in the house. And my father was supposed to be.

bringing groceries home. 6:00 p.m. comes. no dad. >> 8:00 p.m. 1000 p.m. No dad. >> 100 a.m. I remember my father. literally I we can hear his town car, his Lincoln Town Car pull up. It's not. tuned so you definitely can hear. everything. And I hear the fumbling of. the keys and you know I'm like running. downstairs because I mean he's still my.

dad you know I love dad. >> Yeah. >> And I remember the door opening and my. father falling in to the house. Groceries everywhere. [laughter]. >> And he lifts his head up. It's so. cinematic. He lifts his head up and he. looks me in my eyes and I'm looking at. his eyes and I'm like, this is the first. time I encounter my father and realize. he's high out of his mind. I mean, his. eyes are bloodshot, red, sweat is ever.

in a snowstorm. He's sweating. profusiously. and he looks at me and I. look at him and he's like. and he just shakes his head and he gets. up and he crawls back out to go back on. the bench. We don't see him for another. week. >> And I told my mom my mom was like, "How. do you feel about this? What do you What. is on your mind?" And I I was like, "Mom, I can't believe that he cared that. much. >> that even in the middle of his binge, he.

remembers like I have to stop for this. second.". >> Like that is a big deal for an addict, you know, like. >> Oh, absolutely. So for me, I hold that. and I held that and and that reminded me. that okay, no matter what, I cannot. um not be with my my children, my my. daughter. So this beautiful little girl, Michaela, >> um I joined the army. Now I'm from the.

hood. I don't know politics. I don't. know nothing about anything. So, I. didn't realize I was joining during. wartime. >> Yeah. One of the craziest times to join. the army. >> The wildest war we've ever seen. >> Prior to this, was there any music in. your life? >> Very, very much so. Um, of church like. Tanya. >> Yeah. Okay. >> Um, all my mom and my grandmother, [clears throat] my uncles, they all.

sing, >> play instruments and all the things, but. >> music stopped for me around the ninth. grade. >> Okay. you know, um [clears throat]. I just was like, you know what? I I got. to go to the army. >> And that shocked everybody, you know, to. include me. I remember when I enlisted. and we're on the bus [laughter] and I'm. like riding away trying to be hard. I'm. like, what the [ __ ] did I just do? >> Oh my god. I couldn't imagine. >> I was listening cuz I I've listened to a. few of you guys' interviews and I just.

couldn't imagine signing up and just. being taken all the way to a different. country. >> Uhuh. you know, and like just having to. be brave, >> you know, like I just couldn't do that. >> And the things that Okay, so I'm in. Tanya's going to be shocked. >> what. >> that I'm going to talk about this part. >> Okay. >> Um. >> I love that she's just got your back. She's like, "Okay, here we Well, I mean, she's [laughter] she's this is really. going to shock shock her cuz it's uh.

>> so. my um. I got my baby in my mind, you know, and. before I leave for Iraq, I mean, I'm all. over her. That's my my my daughter and I. got another one on the way. >> Okay. >> So, it's it's all clicking to me like, okay, this is this is going to be the. rest of my life. But I'm I'm a part of. Six Infantry, Second Brigade, First. Armored Division. We're in Iraq.

>> Thank you for your service, by the way. >> Thank you. Um, and my first encounter. was with an 8-year-old Iraqi boy. >> And, uh, that's is where the PTSD came from. It's. right there. Um because. he's eight on paper, but he's our age in reality. >> and he's shooting.

And I've got a decision to make and uh. either accept that or. uh you know take that life. And uh the latter is the decision that I. I I had to make because it's it's at. this point it's between him and. Michaela. >> And when those kinds of things happen,

they just happen in the war. You it's. it's a part of war. You just keep. rolling. And I wasn't built like that, >> you know? I mean, the most things I ever. did in the streets was fight. And I got. Yeah. I got stabbed and and I I I made. it, you know. But. when you have to take a life, it's it's. it's it changes you. So, it changed me. And then the rest of the. fighting changed me. And then realizing. that um.

our freedoms do come at a high price. And then when you have a connection with. God, you're like, God, like keep it 100. with me. How you how do you really feel. about this? Because that's my brother. over there. I know that we don't we. don't really act like it right now and. we've got a history of fighting with. each other on Earth, but the truth is. we're all brothers and sisters. And so, >> how do I justify.

>> my actions and. >> when his father and mother are doing the. same thing I'm doing, you know? So, um. >> I couldn't imagine. Yeah. So, I had a. lot to carry into 2010, August 28th, >> when I met Tanya. >> And we met at a love festival in Laurel, Maryland. I want to rewind really quick. because there is a really honestly it's.

a it was a beautiful story that kind of. made me gasp out loud whenever you. talked about writing your first song. >> um in Saddam on Saddam Hussein's [sighs]. piano. >> Yes. Yeah. >> Like can we talk about that because. that's honestly as much of a monster as. he is. It's so it's a beautiful story. >> You you you you you. definitely So we we [laughter] think. very because. >> um. Every soldier has a profile and the. profile is like the height, weight, and.

all things, but it's also likes and. quirks and and so for me, music has. always been the thing. And so, uh, when. I got to Iraq, uh, I was not a squared. away soldier. I was like I I joke about. it with my union with everybody, but I'm. I was like the fat black goomer pal. Like, this just what it was. I mean, everybody [laughter] was like, "Tro's. going to get us killed." Like, I was. not. >> Trotter's going to get us killed. not. squared away at all. Like I I and and. and I did not mind letting everyone know.

that I was terrified to be in the war. I. mean when we flew in we were doggy. barreling and I you know I I am not. ashamed to say I pissed my trousers. literally. >> baby. I would too. >> I mean it ain't no joke. >> I'm going in saying who needs home. cooking. I'm cooking for everybody. I was like, why didn't I be a cook? [laughter and clears throat] Because. this [ __ ] is. >> and um they saw that and so one of the. commanders was like, you know what? We. need to. >> find a way to connect with Troder beyond.

yelling and all the things that come. with the military. >> And he looked at my file and realized, oh, he likes music. And we have Saddam's. palace. And Saddam, a lot of people. don't know it, but Saddam had pianos. everywhere. >> because. >> which I never knew. I found that. fascinating when I heard you say that. >> And so they took me down in the basement. of of of the the Ford operating base, which we call FOB. >> Yeah. >> They took us down and took me down in. the basement and showed me this piano. And I was like, well, I don't play. And. he was like, well, you've got nothing.

but time. And. >> you know, when you want to find your way. back home, come down here and find your. way back home. You know, be at peace. This is your space. No one else comes. down here. We use it as a chapel and. they only come down here on Sundays. So I went down there and that's how I I. really just started teaching myself to. play. I started with Lean on Me. >> and um it it it really helped, you know, and and but it wasn't until that guy was.

to where I really emotionally connected. with the piano. >> and really thought like, okay, you know. what? I'm going to write my first song. about this situation. And it I did and I asked my unit if I. could could sing it. >> But it was some weird stuff happening. even with that because um the guy I had. to go through to get this permission was. a guy named Michael Ayer and he was our. sergeant major and he was about this.

tall. >> stocky like Popeye and a straight up. like. >> oh [laughter] my god and ready for it. you know, like I mean like he was so. gang like like he would be he would be. appalled to hear me say this right now. and I [laughter] that's why I'm going to. say it. >> Oh yeah, we we we were like this. But um. Michael Ayer was a short ballhead white. male who had no problem with calling you.

the n-word if you got in his nerves. Oh, he would go there with you. But it. wasn't like I didn't feel the ra like. racist. It was like he grew up in this. part of New York. You know what I mean? So it was like one of those things to. where I was like you mean tell me I got. to go through that guy. >> Yeah. To get approval for this song. >> And I have to go to him and you know. what he does? He's like wait a minute.

Can you sing? And I was like, [laughter]. "Yeah, >> right.". >> And I asked him, I was like, "But what I. want to do also is I want to pray with. the unit.". >> Because. we were we were hurt. >> Yeah. >> And I didn't I I only knew the only. thing I knew to do in that moment is. pray. That's how I was raised. >> And he was an atheist. So again, I'm being set up [laughter].

>> the other way around. The Lord was. testing you left and right. >> How about this? At this point, we had no. chaplain. >> A. >> our chaplain was more afraid than I. And. he put in an early request to leave. >> He's like, "I'm done. I'm out of here.". When the Iraq was at that point, we were. like in in a real thick mess. >> Yeah. >> I couldn't imagine living in that fear. every day. That's just fight or flight. all day long. Just hearing. >> the bombs go off around you, seeing.

people, you know, dying, falling like. flies around you. I could not imagine. you guys need God in this. >> and we we we fantasize through movies, >> but it's nothing like what we what we. the cinema that we see. >> Yeah, I couldn't imagine. >> But he says to our commander, "Sir. Troder wants to pray with the fleet.". I'm new, too. Like, no one no one really. know. I mean, I'm in the unit now about. 3 months. >> They're like the guy that peed his.

pants. [laughter]. >> So, why we should throw out little [ __ ]. like that's me. [laughter]. >> And um but I I He says, "Sure, go. ahead." And I stand up on this picnic. table in Iraq and this is just this is a. wild wrap up to to. >> No, you're I love it. I can listen to. you guys talk all day. [laughter]. I'm on this picnic table and uh I take. my helmet off and it's 986 soldiers in. our battalion and all 986 follow me.

This is actually incorrect. >> We're at war. You don't take off your. helmet, >> right? >> But again, how I'm raised when you pray, you take your head off, you know, do all. the things. So, and then I get down on. one knee and all 986 gets down on one. knee. >> Oh, I got goosebumps. >> And then I lay my weapon down on the. table. >> They lay their weapons down in the sand.

>> No, >> which again. is an incorrect thing because you're. going to miss fire because your weapon. is dirty, blah blah blah. But. everybody's following the guy that wants. to pray. And I remember my prayer. because at this point, this is the only. way I knew how to pray. But I was like, uh, okay, God. Uh, it's your boy, I'm. here. We all here. Uh we don't know what.

we're doing, but. we do know we need you. >> to protect us and to give us a clear. path of what we supposed to do. Are we. supposed to fight? Are we supposed to. talk? >> Whatever it is, but I know we want to. make you happy. >> I was like, that's it. That's all I got. Amen. That's it. >> That's it. And we didn't from that point. on,

>> we didn't lose another soldier. >> from that moment on. [laughter]. >> Yeah. >> Oh my god, that is amazing. Isn't it. crazy how we could be so mad at the. religion that we were kind of forced to. follow, but man, when we have that. first, you know, that fear, that. encounter that we just don't know what. to do with, we drop to our knees and. pray. >> Yeah. [clears throat] No, it's crazy. So. while he's in the army doing all this. stuff, what are you doing during this. time? >> I am having relationship wo.

>> I say going through I'm like you know I. was married. I was in an abusive. relationship. I was living on a farm. caring for animals and all that kind of. stuff and. >> just really trying to find myself. You. know I started music so young and and. that's all I ever wanted to do that I. never really knew how to be a person. right? >> You know, I didn't know what it felt. like to just. >> be, you know, music was it. And I think. that's probably why I don't sing around.

the house because. >> that was I think, you know, you grow up. and you're like, I got to make it. I got. to make it. I got to make it. So, you're. always rehearsing. You're always. practicing. My mom was like a drill. sergeant. I mean, you clean the windows. with vinegar and water. You know, there. was everything. Yeah. With the white. glove. Everything was white around the. house. So, you know, I couldn't go. outside and play like regular kids could. cuz she was just that strict. And so I. was just in relationship drama, you. know. >> So when did you get out of your record. deal? >> And why? What? What made that decision?

>> God actually I felt like. >> I'm so sorry guys. [clears throat]. >> Let me let me back up. I felt when I. went to get my record deal, I actually. went and sat down with the pastor and. asked him if it was okay for me to sing. secular music. So that already tells you. how strict that was. So when I was in it. and I was recording cuz this was my. second record deal. I was signed to. Island First. I put out a record in. London that then worked itself to the. United States. >> Gotcha. >> And then signed with Puffy. And by that.

time I was kind of over it to be very. honest. I signed the deal. Once I got in. it, I was like Biggie died 3 weeks after. I got the record deal. And we were just. recording like a hundred songs and I'm. like I'm so over this. Like I don't feel. the passion anymore. They were trying to. do the whole label thing. What kind of. artist are you going to be? I didn't. necessarily want to do R&B all the time. I wanted to take and I was listening to. all kinds of music. I was listening to. country and rock and all kinds of music. So, >> and when you're signed to a label, they. kind of try to put you in a box.

>> Yeah. You're in a box. >> and half the time it's not the box you. want to be in. It's not the box. It's. what they want you to be. >> Yes. And and you become this. >> doll baby that they put on a chair and. they're like, "Okay, you're going to. look like this. You're going to sound. like this." And I was like, "Nope. Before I do that, I'll I'm out." You. know? So they spent a ton of money on. the record and I got out of the deal and. then I just went into a really dark. depression. >> It was really dark. I mean I attempt, you know, depression and once that. happened. >> Why do you think that was? Why do you. think you went into I love how she skips.

over her trauma so fast. She's like, "Yeah, so this happened and I was this. and she did.". >> She I'm the same way too though. I'll be. like I'll be like, "I sawed my vagina. lip off, but like can we order pizza?". And people be like, "Wait, wait a. minute. just talk about your vagina. Yeah, you know, [laughter]. >> let's talk about that. I think it was. >> I think it's not being in tune, >> right? >> You know, when you're not in tune with. who you are and what you were created to. be and then you put God on top of all. that, >> you become a robot.

>> You don't become a person. >> You live in fear, too. >> Yeah. And you don't become a person. You. are open to everything because you don't. know who you are. You know what you do, but you don't know who you are. And also. being under your mom's thumb like that. is, you know, you were never able to. think for yourself. You, you know, so. that kind of you probably felt squashed. a lot because you didn't have a voice. >> Yeah. And you have to have a voice, you. know, and I think that was. >> a part of the relationships I was going. through, you know, um the dram the well.

I was in a relationship when I tried to. commit because I felt squashed, you. know. I was like, I just want out, you. know, not just out from this, but out. from me, out from all this pain that I. feel that you don't think you would feel. if you didn't grow up with. >> trauma, you know. >> So, I'm creating trauma. >> You do have some some trauma. >> Oh, yeah. You're creating trauma as you. go into these crazy relationships or if. you don't process what your parents went. through with a divorce, this is still. traumatic to you. It may not be you.

getting stabbed, but your family being. uprooted and you your your family going. through a divorce is a huge trauma to a. child. >> Well, even having a mom that's. overbearing is traumatic. My stepmother. was the same way. Very, very traumatic. I mean, I had no privacy. They would. take doors off the hinges. Like, that. stuff really affects you as you. [laughter] get older. And you don't. realize it until you're in your darkest. hour and you're like, why am I feeling. like this? But it's because we've just. shoved it down so deep. >> Yeah. And that was it for me. I was. like, "This is it." You know, I don't.

want to I don't want to feel like this. I don't want to be in this. I just. rather in this. >> after all this good outside stuff is. happening. And then, you know, after. that last bad relationship before I met. Michael, I went to work. >> I literally was like, I'm getting a. therapist. I was a praise and worship. leader. And on Monday morning, I go to a. therapist. No. >> And I realized I was like, >> I don't need God in that way anymore. So, I stopped being a worship leader. >> and I went strictly into like.

meditation, realizing that I was this. impath kid. Realizing that I was a. healer, you know, in different ways than. what the church kind of taught me I was. and all the stuff that made me feel. spooky and weird cuz there was nobody. around me like that. I literally just. tapped into it. >> A I love that. I feel like um religion. is religious and spirituality is. spiritual and you don't have to be. religious to be spiritual. I I preach. that on this podcast all the time. >> Exactly. >> Yeah. Because I feel like religion is so.

fear-based whereas spirituality is so. much more fluid and loving. And I really. feel like that's what Jesus and just. >> higher beings are all about is leading. with love, not fear, not anger, not. ruling with an iron fist. Jesus was a. freaking Capricorn. Okay, [laughter] we. know he's smoking. We know. We know he. did something. He drank wine for sure. >> Yeah, he saw a burning bush and no one. was around. LET'S JUST. >> WATER, BUDDY. You're walking on water. Uh, hello. >> Yeah. No, he I mean, he was I think he.

was a cool dude, you know. I don't think. he was this rigid human that they are, you know, they try this rigid being that. they try to make him out to be. >> Yeah. >> When you tried to commit, thankfully. that didn't work. >> Yeah. Did you realize that? Did you get. out of that relationship then that you. were in and then you got into another. one that was. >> another bad one? >> Oh no. Can you can you take me on that. journey too because I feel like women. need to hear your story about being a. domestic violence survivor. >> Yeah. And it came in different forms, you know. Um the first one was physical.

>> So I did my first tour on crutches. [sighs and gasps]. >> Yeah. I did my first. >> I mean how could you leave that out? That is crazy. >> Yeah. I did my first tour on on crutches. and you know left immediately after that. happened and I hid that from like you. know my family as long as I could. I. wasn't in in a long time but the trauma. was enough you know for it to broke your. foot. >> Well I was running almost about to get. thrown off a 10 floor 10 floor apartment. building trying to run from him and I.

ran ran ran and hit my foot on a stair. master. You remember the old stair. masters and my foot got cut. >> got caught in it and it just. >> so I hopped down the hallway to the. elevator. It was like a movie, you know? I'm like dragging my leg trying to get. out get away. And so that happened. That. was the first bad one. And and I was. talking about the cars. >> Oh, the car. Oh, the cars. He stole He. took my car. I was trying to get away. I'm in the car driving and runs it into. a wall. >> You know, I was able to call my sister.

and say, "Come get me." You know, this. fool is crazy. She comes to get me. and. he runs up cuz we called the police by. that time and then but they can't find. him goes to my mom's house down the. street and once they're gone he shows up. there. >> you know so it was just very dark. >> and. >> not the kind of dark we like. >> not that. >> not the Johnny. >> not that kind of dark but but I learned. you know every situation you learn what. you saw in them and you're like okay. well the next one I'm not going to I see. that sign but then you go to the next.

one and you don't see the rest of the. signs So the other one was more like a. friend, you know, almost like you're. running from a a a bad situation. It was. a friend and then I had a son and so I. had and he wasn't abusive at all. He was. my friend and we're still friends to. this day. And I have a my son Tony. Antonio who is a light of my life and. you know beautiful. >> and he's be he's a beautiful beautiful. son. He is so great and. >> both of them are beautiful.

>> but still didn't get the work done. Yeah, he's a great he's totally. different. >> Still didn't do the work, you know, had. a baby and still didn't do the. psychological work that needed to be. done. So, of course, you end up in. another bad relationship, >> you know, and that was bad. Didn't work. out. And right before I met Michael, I. was in another one that was bad. >> And right after that one, I was like, that's it. >> Yeah. >> And here we go. Therapy. And now I'm.

pulling it back into the worship part. And I went, got off the farm, left him, left everything, and I was homeless. >> I left everything. >> and stayed with my mom. >> And across the street from her house was. this therapist. I didn't have a car. So. I would walk across the street, go to my. therapy sessions three or four times a. week. >> Hey, but you were doing it. >> You know, I was doing it living off my. little residual checks, you know, from. movies and doing the movie and and. music. And I met Michael.

>> Sorry, he's over here snoring. >> I love it. I love it. >> So, you and Michael have an interesting. story of when you guys met each other. You were with somebody else. >> Yes. And you guys were at a love fest. >> Not a swingers fest, right? Okay. No. >> All right. Just wanted to clarify. [laughter]. >> It was a festival. >> Cuz now that I know you guys, you guys. might be a little freaky. >> You know, Martha Martha Stewart. >> Yeah. [laughter] We we have we have. different names, you know,

but we met. It was a love festival I was. doing out in Laurland [laughter]. and giving school, you know, school. supplies back to kids and stuff like. that. And. >> the lady I was working with, she hired. Michael to come and I um met him after I. saw him perform. >> Mhm. >> He was killing it. He was with this. guitar player who had to be in his 70s. It was 900 degrees outside and he had on. a sweater. >> and and I was doing I was doing hip-hop.

>> He was doing hip-hop like [laughter]. >> with a with a 80-year-old guitar player. It was. >> Yeah, it was weird. It was a weird. little It was like a B O kind of thing. >> Yeah, I love that. >> It was so dope. And I'm I'm listening. because at this time I'm broken. >> I'm you know going through therapy. I'm. still trying to find my way. And I see. this guy out here and out there that's. like maybe 40 people on this big field. Imagine a big festival and we it's 40. people out there [laughter] and he's.

performing like. >> just getting it. >> It's thousands of people. And I remember. I'm like dang I used to have that. passion to do it like that. >> A. >> and I'm looking at him like this is so. cool. And so when he got off the stage I. rushed across in heels to meet him. We. got we got to talk about this. >> And he shows up with his girlfriend. [laughter]. So, you know, I buy like. >> nine CDs from him cuz he had these. little. >> They were like homemade CDs. They had.

burners. >> You are hustling. >> Yeah, [laughter] he had his burner CDs. I bought them. Oh. And I'm like, "Did. you write all these songs?" He's like, "Yeah, yeah, yeah." I'm like, "Gosh, you're amazing." So, I'm like, you know, "Can I get his number?" And I think I. gave my number to your girlfriend or did. I give it to you? >> You gave it to me, didn't. >> Okay, now I'm thinking about it. You may. have thrown it back together. But. anyway, um, so I gave him my phone. number. >> Wait, wait, wait, wait. I have to clear. this up. >> What? >> She was actually not my girlfriend. >> Oh, she was. >> I will be honest.

>> When is she not? >> She wasn't my girlfriend. >> I've heard you say in other interviews. she was your girlfriend. >> Thank you. >> Well, she wasn't my girlfriend. Like. [laughter] we. >> Did you kiss her? >> A lot. Did you guys Did you guys bone? Did you bone? SHE WAS MY JUMP OFF. THAT. WAS HER JUMP OFF, TOO. I MEAN, THIS IS. WHAT IT IS. I'M KEEPING IT UP. LIKE, you. know, like. >> I hope she's not watching this. >> Oh, she she will be. But this is the. truth. Like, >> you're going to call her jump off. >> No, no, no, no. That. >> she sounds like a sweet jump off. >> She's a sweet girl.

>> because what she ends up saying to you. >> Yeah. >> Yes. That's why I wanted to clear it up. >> She uh. >> because I thought that was pretty crazy. that a girlfriend would say that. So, I. kind of understand where you're coming. from, too. >> Yeah. Yeah. Like, she recognized the. fact that, and I was adamant about us. not being boyfriend and girlfriend. because of Michaela and Courtney. I had. been through too many of the rebound. moments cuz I was married to their mom. >> Okay. We were married like we were um we. got together when we were young, you. know, and and had our kids, but we were.

married and we divorced and I went on. like a every girlfriend was like a. fiance, >> you know, like I never I I I was just. like trying to rebound heavily. >> Well, you're a Pisces. Every you guys. you consume. >> Yeah. >> And I had a lot of like Let me tell you. this cuz I don't talk about this either. When I went to the army, I weighed. 191bs. Wow. >> When I came out, I was literally 410.

Oh, >> just emotional. >> I had a lot going on. Like, I I I had a. a lot. >> of insecurities, low self-esteem. I. mean, I didn't I didn't recognize me. physically, mentally, in any shape, way, shape, or form. So, >> um, but for some reason when I met. Tanya, um, that that day when we met, I was I. was just smitten and I didn't care who. knew it and she the young lady I was.

with saw that, >> but I didn't see it. I didn't see that. he was smitten right away. [laughter]. >> No, I didn't. >> I I the same thing happened with Jay and. I. like he not to interject our story, but he was interested in me, but every. time he would come around or try to hang. out with me, he would BRING OTHER. [ __ ] [laughter]. >> ONE TIME I left him on the roof cuz I. was like, "If this ISN'T ABOUT ME, I'M. not hanging out with you. I am the main. attraction here." Okay. [laughter]. >> And I think he caught on to that after a. while. You know,

>> girl number six, can you [laughter]. >> exactly? [clears throat]. >> So, no, I I understand how you feel. You're like, "Wait, what?". >> Yeah. But he was we we connected on. friendship immediately. >> But you threw her number out. >> Yeah. >> Yes. See, she likes to belly through. thing. I'm like, look, [laughter]. >> I need I NEED A SMALL DETAIL. >> I know this life. >> She gives me her I mean I I I again. when I was 9 years old, I said that was. my wife. That's Tanya Blunt to me. And.

we when I get to the festival, Diane. Gray was like, "Do you want to meet. Tanya?" And I was like, >> "Oh, thank you. was. >> I want to meet her. >> and I. >> did you recognize then that that was. her? You knew her name and everything? >> Oh yeah. Oh yeah. Oh yeah. Like when we. I got booked for the thing. I was like. >> and girlfriend. >> So yes. Not my girlfriend. But. [laughter]. we meet and uh Tanya just was like, "Hi, I'm Tanya Blunt." She's all light and. I'm like, >> "Oh, >> I was in therapy.".

>> I'm [laughter] like, "What the hell was going on?" I was. like, "Oh, this is probably GOING TO BE. THAT DAY. THIS is going to be it." Like, [laughter] "Okay.". >> And um. >> I'm telling I'm telling I'm saying that. to people for now. And I was in therapy. [laughter]. >> So, you know, when she came over after I. performed and and was telling me like. she wanted me to be the I'm like, "Listen, you're blunt already knew she. was signed a bad boy." I'm like, "You. could work with [clears throat] anybody. in who's actually in the industry. I'm.

not in the industry. I am trying to. survive.". >> You were self-sabotaging. that was like, "Listen, this is this ain't even a real. number. She's just being nice.". >> I tossed the trash and kept it moving. >> and thought nothing else of it. >> But the ex or the I don't want to call. her a jump off the ex. >> No, she not jump. Let me She's not that. >> She actually told me that that's what we. were. >> The friend said Yeah. Yeah. She was like. >> the friend said to you like, "Hey, you. guys [clears throat] have like. chemistry." Well, she was like, "You you.

you like her, don't you?" We were in the. car and I was like, "No." [laughter]. >> And I was like, >> "Whenever a man answers like that, it's. automatically yes.". >> Look at her legs. Soon as they started. saying stuff like that, you notice her. legs. Okay. >> And she was like, "You know what's so. crazy about this?" I was She was like, >> "I can see this. >> Like, y'all would be so amazing. together." And she was like, "And I'm. I'm in the way of that.". >> And I was like, >> that's a woman right there, though. That's a good That's a cool woman. She's. married now with a kid. I'm like, she.

they they doing they thing, you know, and she was right. And and and. >> and I was like, uh I looked at her and I. was like, >> for real? She was like, yeah. And I was. like, >> okay. >> You know, I dropped her off and I was. like, YOU [laughter]. KNOW, MY CHANCE. number out. But you threw her number. out. >> I did. Yeah. >> You know, I didn't think nothing of it. I I I just was like, >> you know, chilling. And the next day it. was a Sunday. So I was um going to. church and everything and to to try to.

make a little I was getting paid like. 125 bucks to go play at a church. I I. was out of military by then and. >> struggling and everything and my little. [clears throat] track phone [laughter]. start ringing and my homie, you know, my. boy Chris was with me and and I was like. I don't know this number. >> So you called the next day? >> Oh yeah, I found his number. I tracked. it down. >> Yeah, tell that person story. [clears throat] because my dad is. hilarious. >> My dad's a detective. You're not gonna. not call me. I'm not gonna find your.

number, dude. [laughter]. >> I was a little scared. >> That's hot. >> God, it's hot. >> She a woman who knows what she wants. I. mean, I was in again, I was in therapy. [laughter]. >> I figured it out now, you know? Like, okay, I want I want what I want, you. know? So, I call him and I'm like, okay, we're going to He was cute. He was. really He was really cute. I thought he. was. >> No. She calls me and I'm like, hello. She's like, "Hi, can I speak to. Michael?" [laughter]. I was like, "Oh, this is he." And she's. like, "Hi, Michael. This is Tanya." I. was like, "Tanya,

Tanya who?" And she was like, "Tanya. Blunt." And I was like, [laughter]. I said, "Hold on one second." I'm like, "Stop the car. Pull over. Pull over.". [laughter]. He's like, "What's wrong?" I was like, "Tanya, Tanya Blunt is on the phone." He. was like, >> I mean, it's a long time, too. I'm like. on hold. I'm like, "What is happening?". >> I'm trying to get together. I'm trying. to get everybody in the car to shut. [laughter] the [ __ ] up. Like maybe. >> he's trying not to pee his pants. >> Maybe. I don't know. I THINK I WANT TO PEE MY.

PANTS. [laughter]. >> But I put the deep boys on. Hello. Hello. You know I'm trying. I'm like, "Oh, THIS IS MY SHOT." OKAY. [laughter]. What's up? What? No. I think I was like, "What? What you need? What's going on?". >> YEAH. WHAT'S GOING ON? >> WHAT YOU NEED? >> What you [laughter] need? >> Yeah. She's like, "Excuse me, sir.". >> Yeah. >> Oh, the rest was history for me. >> Yeah, the rest was history. >> So, take me on the first date. I've. never heard you guys talk about YOUR. FIRST DATE. >> OH MY GOD. Wait a [laughter] minute.

>> I need to hear about this. >> Okay. Yeah. >> Her birthday is September 30th. >> Yeah, that's my birthday. >> She The DC is throwing her like this. >> I love big parties. Oh my god. >> So, I when I do have a party, it's like. a thousand people I don't know there. I. tell everybody, bring a hundred people. that you know [laughter] to the party. So, it's like. >> my kind of girl. It's like a so many. people at this party, >> but we're talking up until this point. So, I'm I'm like, >> you guys haven't seen each other? >> No, we we we we we like on the phone. >> doing the thing long. I'm like romancing.

the phone. >> Yeah, romance. >> So, I'm like I think I think she's. starting to dig on me like, "Okay, I. think I think. >> So, I tell her straight up, hey, uh. before her party, I'm like, don't fall. for me. I'm not a catch." Cuz I I know. her story. and we we know each other's. story. I'm like, I I have nothing going on in my life. Like, I don't have a car. I'm sleeping. from couch to couch and I got two little.

girls that I haven't told her about just. yet. Like, so I'm like, "Don't fall for. me. I'm not the And I'm I'm I feel. you're starting to dig on me." And I. just tell her my story. I'm like, "Listen, I'm nothing. I got nothing.". And I was like, um, I know I'm supposed. to be something in life and I don't know. how to get there. Um, but I know how to. love. I said, and that's not enough. So, don't fall for me. >> But that was what I was looking for. >> That is enough. >> That was more than enough because I had.

the things, you know, I had the liars. and the things and all that stuff that. comes with it. And I was like, I never. had anyone be honest with me. >> Yeah. And so his honesty I was like I. could that's what made me fall in love. with him because he was I could tell he. was honest by the time I really knew who. I was and all that stuff. I was like I. felt him. You know what I mean? I was. connected with. >> but I hadn't been honest. >> to anyone. >> Yeah. >> So again when I when I said earlier. about the being trained to lie.

>> I was trained to lie about what I like. how I feel. you know, my first marriage, um, you know, we were we were friends. first and we should have never crossed. that line, but uh, I was trained to lie. >> So, she was the first person I wanted I. was desperate to tell the truth to. I. was like, "Here we go. I'm not the dude. I'm not what whatever it is you're.

building in your head. I'm going to save. you the drama. >> No, >> no, it's not me. And and Tanya then. says, okay. Um, I heard what you said. Now, let me tell you what I see. She's. like, I see a king. You just need the. right kind of queen in your life. >> That's right, baby. And I'm looking at. her and she's looking at me and I'm like. [snorts]. >> I'm about TO PEE OUT THE EYES. [laughter].

Piss piss. I was like I'm done. >> And so um she then tells me here's where. it gets. >> the the first date. >> she says I'm having a birthday party. I. want you there. Um the li what she says. the limo picks me up at. So now I'm like. uh here come that Hollywood [ __ ] I mean. like [laughter] I'm I'm I'm keeping in. the bug with you. I'm like not we've. never had this pop up. She limo and I'm.

I'm really like lowkey like I don't do. like time say I I I am like. >> he does. >> a western western. He does movies and. me. >> No, >> that's it. Well, no food. He can cook. his tail off. I'll tell you about that. later, buddy. >> Oh. Oh, I ain't going to tell you about. my plot to um get Jelly in in a me and. him do a duo and he'd be jelly roll and. I'd be belly roll and then that's it, [laughter] baby. We do the hottest duo. ever, you know, and we just sing. >> My husband loves you. We would probably.

do whatever you want. [laughter] Okay. And I've already started cuz every. performance we've done so far outside, I. sing and play with a hot dog in my hand. >> Yeah. [laughter] He's like this. >> But I diverge to later. Yeah, >> but um I just was like, "Okay, you know. what? Um she doing that Hollywood." I. knew it. And I saw I was like, "No, I'm. not going to come." So she sends her she. has her assistant call me and was like, "Um, you you need to be at the house.

You can ride in." I was like, "I'm not. Hollywood. I don't do the Flash." Nah. So then she hits her back and was like, "Well, tell him he can use my car and he. can drive himself there.". >> Now I'm insulted because I'm like, "I. [laughter] KNOW YOU DON'T HAVE THAT GET. THERE.". >> I'M LIKE, "WAIT A MINUTE. >> THERE'S NO MAKING you happy, Michael. >> No, because I'm [laughter] I'm like. this. I never like I'm I'm one of those. like Tanya knows I'm one of those guys.

I'm not a scrub. So I'm like, I'm not. about to show up and drive your car. [laughter] Like hell no. SO I WAS LIKE, >> BUT I WON'T GET IN THE LIMO. I'M JUST. going to walk in. >> Yeah. Well, then the next call I get is. [laughter] her. So she's like, "Hey." I. was like, "Hey." So I'm like trying to. play. She was like, "Um, the limo leaves. at 7:00. You need to be here at 6:30. Okay. Bye-bye." A. >> I love that. [laughter] Mama was like, "Look, chop chop.". >> Yeah. And we ain't dating or nothing.

So, I show up cuz I'm like, "Okay, now. you didn't you didn't like sun me." So, I'm I'mma show [laughter] up now and um. me and my homeboy Chris Dudday. So, we. we pop up. He drives me there. I'm like, "I need I need your wheels cuz you So, we show up and um we do the DC party and. everything." And then she says, "I'm. having an afterparty at the place I'm. staying at.". >> Karaoke. You got to have a party after a. party. >> We love karaoke. >> So, we get back to the house and she's. like, "You want to go with me? I need to. go get ice for the party." So this was.

perfect for me because I I got her a. gift. So I know that she her favorite. artist is Artha Franklin. >> Yes. >> And so I found like this in CVS. I found. like the the greatest history for five. [laughter] bucks. It had all the right. songs on it. So I was like good. And. then I also wrote her a song. You did. >> recorded it at my my boy Chris Neway's. and and. um I I I uh I got it for her and I was. like um. >> I'm going to give you my gift now. So, we're in the car and I gave her the. Artha Franklin thing and she's like.

wigging out and then I I put in the CD. and I play her the song and she's. listening to it and I'm used to like, you know, women love male singers. So, I'm like, "Oh, I'm about to wrap it up.". [laughter] She's like, "Oh, that's so. sweet. Come on, let's go get the ice." I. was like, "What the did you JUST GET?". LIKE, IN MY HEAD, I'M LIKE, "OH MY GOD, I'M NOTHING. I TOLD YOU I'M NOTHING. NO, [laughter]. >> Tanya's a gangster. One thing I've.

learned about Tanya, she's a G. >> Straight up G. >> As if that wasn't bad, I I get ready to. leave this party and I tell my my my. guy, I was like, "Yo, I think I'm going. to let her know how I feel." So, we're. driving and he's like, "Bro, that's. Tanya Blunt, bro. You've got nothing.". He everything. He's like, "Don't do it.". [laughter]. >> Yeah. He's like, "Bro, don't do it, bro." like we we in fact the reason why. we were kicking is because she wanted me.

to write music for her and her brother. >> and be the producer and it was going to. pay me and all this stuff. So my friend. who was my partner at the time like we. do music together. >> he's like bro this is just a payday like. chill man like like. >> so I'm like no I'm about to tell her. bro. So, we're texting me and her and. she says, "Michael, you left your. sweater. What else will you leave?". Because I'm always leaving things at her. house. So, she's like laughing. And so, I was like, "I'm about to do it, bro.".

He's like, "Don't do it." I was like, [laughter]. >> "IT'S ABOUT TO GO DOWN." SO, I TEXT. BACK. What else am I going to leave? My. heart. >> a. >> And you know what she said back? >> I was I was n. >> Do you know what she said back? [laughter]. Not a damn thing. >> I DIDN'T KNOW. BUT IT WAS BECAUSE I was. drunk. I've been drinking all night and. I my phone died. >> So when I got the. >> When I tell you got the phone dying at. the wrong time,

>> it was like 12 a.m. >> My butthole is puckered for you. [laughter]. >> When I tell you all night I was texting. her about, I'm so sorry. I was I read. the room wrong. I'm like I was like I'm. sorry, Miss Blunt. I I DIDN'T CALL. [laughter] HIM HIS BLOOD. I WAS LIKE, "MA'AM, I'm sorry." I was like, "I I I. read the room wrong." I was like, >> "And your friends OVER THERE LIKE, TOLD. YOU.". >> HE'S LIKE, "YOU [ __ ] IDIOT.". >> He was like, "You just lost our job, bro." And I'm like, he was like, [laughter].

he like, "Yo, you can't sleep on my. couch tonight, bro. Bro, you got I was. like, dude, all night I did not sleep. I. texting her all night. Do you know when. I finally heard from Tanya. >> was 12 p.m. the next day. >> That's when I got up. [laughter]. >> You poor baby. What What did you think. of the song that he wrote you? >> I love the song. It was called The. Beauty in You. It was so sweet. >> It was really. >> And you just probably weren't used to. receiving love in that way. So, you. didn't know how to react. >> Yeah. I didn't know how to receive it,

you know? I just It was beautiful and it. was thoughtful. And for him to even. think about getting like the Artha. Franklin CD and writing his own song, I. was like, "This is. >> But October 1st, >> 2010.". >> Mhm. >> That next day was the first date. >> That was our first date. So it was like. a 48 hour. >> and she calls me from a whole another. phone. So I don't know it's her. And I. was like, "This phone keeps calling me.". And so I answer. She's like. >> blowing him up. >> And she's laughing. She was like, "Oh, hi." [laughter] And I'm like, "Hello.". She's like, >> "That was my next question. How did you.

feel when you read that text message?". was laughing. I was like, "Oh my god, IT'S LIKE 20 MESSAGES." That's what I. said when I answered the phone. I'm. like, "Oh my god, you like call me 20. times. What's [laughter] wrong?" I'm. like, >> "Way that way to humble the man." Okay. >> I knew from that point on. >> I love her. She keeps you humble. >> Oh [laughter] my word. >> We go to our first date at this Thai. restaurant in Tyson's to go to to a. restaurant. >> Were you ready? Were you ready for love. with him or were you more kind of just. scared?

>> Oh, yeah. Go ahead and tell this story. I wasn't ready for love. I was I was. ready to have sex. I mean, [laughter]. >> I mean, I I had done the whole, you. know, I'm going to wait. I'm in church. I'm a church girl. I'm like, I'm ready. Let's go. >> She's like, dick me down, baby. >> Let's get it. And not him. Not this guy. right here. >> Lover boy. He's a lover boy. >> Oh, he was not a lover boy then. He was. like, I'm waiting. >> I want to This is bad. >> My mama told me [laughter] so. embarrassing. >> And I'm like, this is amazing. >> He's like, I'm waiting. I don't want to.

have cuz it's going to mess things up. I'm like. >> that was like my husband. My husband. tried not to have me the first time. It's because you guys It's because you. guys saw something more in us. >> That's true. >> Like I was ready to just hump and send. [laughter] him on his way. >> Yeah. And literally my husband made me. sit down, not sit down, lay down in bed. with him the night that we decided to. have and make a five-year plan with him. >> A fiveyear plan. Nothing puts you in the. mood. guy. Wait, >> this [laughter] guy.

>> This guy. >> Don't tell her. Please. >> Please do. DON'T TELL ME. NO. YOU You. You have the You have the pleasure. saying this around. >> I'm worse. >> I did not know he did that. Oh my god. >> Yeah, he did. >> I told her. >> I said, "My mother said.". >> Yep. [laughter]. >> He did. his mother. >> I said, "My mother said. >> things and [laughter]. >> he sits me down before I'm like trying. to, you know, get it out." Someone was. trying to do it with him and he was. like, "Stop. Stop." My husband did like.

I'm like, "Dude, >> no." I smacked her hand. I was like, "Uhuh." [laughter]. I was like, "No." I said, "And. >> no, here's the worst." [laughter]. So, let's go back. So, after this movie. happens, I come back. >> No, you didn't tell her. We went to the. movies. We went to the movies first and. then went to [laughter] the movies. October 1st, 2010. >> Went got tai food and then went to the. movies and we left the movie early cuz. it was terrible. >> Horrible. We don't even know what movie. >> I don't remember. >> Probably Nacho Libre. I walked out of. it. >> It was [laughter] horrible. So I get to.

the house. I go upstairs and put on my. nice little lingerie. >> No, I tell you. I said I have a movie. >> Yeah. >> That I at home at at where I'm staying. I said you want to watch a real movie. I. want to get this movie. cuz at the house. she was staying at there was a movie. theater in the basement. So I was like. we're going to go get some popcorn grape. juice and we're going to watch this. movie that I have. I'm not going to tell. you what it is. >> It's a real movie. Let's go. >> And I'm like this is perfect. So I go. upstairs. I get smell goods on and I get.

ready. >> I love that you did the lingerie too cuz. I did too. >> Oh yeah. I was ready. I was so ready. And I come downstairs. I'm like, you. know, he likes Doris Day. So, I'm, you. know, I'm giving giving it and I'm in my. lingerie and he stands up in front of. the TV like this as a television and he. stands up in front of it. He [snorts]. was like, >> "All cool, >> you are going to love he's like, "You're. going to love this movie." And I'm. giving him the eye and I'm like getting. moist and you know, [laughter]. I'm ready to tear him up, right? And he. he's the TV comes on and he starts.

that's my face. [laughter] and I'm like this. >> I'm proper married. >> I'm like this I'm watching this happen. and then this man walks on the scene in. the screen and it's Cisu B Deale. >> and he starts giving a oratory whatever. this speech about the movie. So the. whole time I'm looking I'm like, "Okay.". And Michael's smiling just like this. He's so happy. >> and I'm reciting everything cuz I want. to show her. I know the whole thing. >> Yeah. He So he starts every when the.

guy's talking, he's talking and it comes. up and it says the ten commandments. >> Oh my goodness. >> H [laughter] Charlton H. >> John D. Listen, that movie has so many. uh yield Brener Charlton H and Baxter. who's another Hall pass if she was. alive. >> Oh, but I'm in lingerie. the Ten. Commandments. So, in your mind, you were. like, "This is gonna really get her. going.". >> Yeah, because she's so she's the most. fashionable person I ever met in colors. And I thought of all the women in that.

movie with all the colors and fashion. [laughter]. >> He told me all this. So, I went and got. He was like, "You're going to love it. It's your kind of movie. The women are. beautiful. The clothes, everything is. great." So, I left. >> It's my It's my favorite movie. >> It's his favorite movie. [laughter]. >> Took a man. >> all the time. [gasps] So it comes. >> we get in the middle. >> billions of people are about to know. [laughter]. >> So it is so this so by this by this time. >> I'm like okay how do I get out of this. [laughter]. >> and Moses comes.

>> I'm standing up reciting the entire. >> and he burst into tears. [gasps] Oh I'm. like [laughter] what is happening? >> He's crying because Moses is rolling. down the line. He's like, "This is the. part.". >> And I'm like, "No." So I said, "I'll be. back.". >> I [laughter] I go upstairs. >> When we pause it, SHE'S LIKE, "OH, NO.". >> I WAS LIKE, "NO, KEEP IT GOING. WE'VE. BEEN 2 HOURS NOW. IT'S [laughter] BEEN. THE MOVIE'S 3 AND 1 HALF HOURS LONG. >> HE DIDN'T TRY TO MAKE A move on you this.

whole time. He's just putting on the. standing up. He's standing. >> smashing that popcorn. [laughter]. >> He's standing up for two hours watching. the movie. He's sang and I'm just. sitting there. Like I'm trying to be. nice, but like this is going to stop at. any moment. >> Were you scared? >> No. I. >> You just really couldn't read the room. >> I'm a nerd. I mean, like I I I am. horrible. Like my my father It's so bad. when my when they my father and mother. heard this story. My dad looked at me. He was like, "Where did go wrong with. you?" I was like, "I just I I don't.

know. I I I I wanted to just show her. this movie." Ha. >> And then it gets worse because when it. was over, I looked at her. I was like, "All right, the next film I have.". >> Oh my god. A three and a half hour film. I'm trying to feed him. >> The greatest story ever told about. Jesus. >> I'm doing everything. I'm trying to feed. him grapes. I'm doing I'm like this is. >> I'll take the grape out of her hand. >> He takes a grape out of my [laughter]. hand and eats the grape. I'm like, "Am I. so uncultured over here?" He's like,

"No.". And then the next day is the first day. we ever did it. >> Yeah. I waited 24 hours. >> Damn. Ruin the lingerie. The night. ambiance. >> And she and she I will say I tried to. fight her off then. [laughter] I was. like, "No." I was like, "Stop it." I was. LIKE, "OKAY." ALL RIGHT. Keep going. >> I feel like Never mind. We're We're. doing this. >> Finally. >> Finally. She sat through your movie.

thawn. >> I know. Reward me, please. >> Listen, she loved you. She loved you. from the start. >> Oh my god. >> Because I'm not sitting through the Ten. Commandments when I'm in lingerie. >> I would have had to turn that and be. like, "We will. This will be to be. continued.". >> I kept waking her up. I was like, "Oh, wait a minute. I'm about to miss the. best part." [laughter] She was like, "Okay.". >> Oh my goodness. That is so funny, you. guys. Oh my god. I thought me and my. husband had a a crazy first night story, but that takes the cake.

>> I'm so embarrassed. >> No, don't be. That is hilarious. 14. years. >> So 14 years. I mean, you guys have gone. through a lot. So you guys finally, you. know, have and you guys are together. Just from that moment on, you guys are. like, you know, together. When did you. guys decide to get married? Like take me. on this journey after we got through the. ten commandments. >> Oh, we got married 6 months, 5 months. later. >> A. >> Yeah. Yeah, >> it was it was inc. It was great. We were. together. >> I did know at age nine that that was my.

wife. >> The day we met. We never separated from. that day. We had never been apart. Like. when was that? >> When you went to um. >> That was when we were married though. >> But we got sick. Remember? >> Yeah. We got sick. >> and that's when we knew. >> the legend was coming. >> I couldn't have another son for 14 years. after I had my oldest. They told me I. would never have kids again. So, I had. surgeries and went through the whole. thing and I wanted a baby and it was so. sad and but when I met Michael I told. him I said I'm going to have your son. >> and I didn't I knew I couldn't have kids.

you know because the doctor told me that. so but I believed in that and so. >> and I didn't think I could have boys cuz. I had two girls [laughter]. >> and they were kicking my ass. >> and we got pregnant. >> right away like what I was eight months. we were together eight months a No. >> remember November. November of the following year. November. You're right. Because he was. born in China. >> Remember granddaddy? My grandfather. >> Three months later. >> The same day I found out my grandfather. had passed. The same phone call like.

>> my sister was like, >> "Hey, granddaddy died." And then Tanya. was coming out the bathroom with a. pregnancy test. >> Yeah. >> Oh my goodness. >> That's amazing. That's meant to be. It. was meant to be. You guys were meant to. be. >> Mhm. >> And so take me on this journey. You guys. have babies. When what happened whenever. you guys were homeless? Cuz I've heard. you guys mention that before. Like what. what happened? >> That's the wildest thing. We met. homeless. >> We sure did. >> She was staying with a friend and her. she was Tanya was coming out of her.

recovery period. >> I was with my mom and then I went and. stayed with my girlfriend. Right. >> And. >> I was a homeless vet. Mhm. >> So I I just couldn't when I came out of. the military, I was still married, but. when we got divorced, um that's when I. went away and and just was couch to. couch. >> Um. >> which is crazy to me to ever hear the. word homeless vet. I feel like when you. go and you go through what you guys go. through over there and for our country, we you guys should never be homeless.

>> Ever. >> And I will say I just didn't know what. it meant to be a veteran. I didn't know. what was out there for me. I I knew. nothing, you know. I just knew that was. from me. >> Well, you didn't I didn't know he was. even in the military when we met. I. didn't find that out for three years. >> Why didn't you tell her? >> Because I was embarrassed. So, when I. came home from the war, um we were being. protested against. >> a. >> So, when I got in the airport, I was in. my uniform. I'm all proud. I'm like, I. survived. I didn't get killed. You know.

what I mean? I'm I'm like really happy. to get home. And um in Baltimore there. were like protesters and they were. throwing things at us and they were just. likeers and they were protesting the war. and bush babies and all the thing and I. was like oh so this is how my country. feels about us. >> Okay. And then. >> that's terrible. >> And then I couldn't get a job. In fact, I remember sitting on the couch and um. me and this other guy who was just.

released from prison uh we were going. for the same job and he was like, "Oh, bro." He was like, "Man, I might as well. pack up and go home." I was like, "No, man." I said, "Um, you know, we maybe we. both get hired." And uh they hired him. over me. And I remember trying to figure. out like why does this keep happening? like but in their mind they would rather. hire an ex Khan because the ex Khan. knows that he can't mess up.

>> versus a military guy who has just come. home from war and if he flips the he can. blame it on the war and they're they're. you know what I'm saying so in in their. mind the incentive was to hire. >> so I just could not get a job also I'll. say this on this podcast it's also a. plan of our countries. Um, this isn't a conspiracy theory. The. military is under strength in a real. way. The army, Marines, they are under.

strength. The navy and the air force is. over strength. >> So, what happens? >> What does under strength over strength. mean? >> Which means they're numbers. So, um, they they need people to join. >> Okay. >> And nobody's joining in war. Like, hell. no. So what was happening for um during. my time is well let's make it so hard. for the war veterans to get jobs to. where they have to go back.

>> into the military. >> so that we don't have to implement a. draft. >> Wow. >> So um that's what was going on. And so I. made up in my mind, well, you know what? Maybe I shouldn't tell anyone about my. service. maybe I should just be quiet. and just say I'm trying to get ahead. And um and that meant anything because. even my friendships that I had left and. tried to return to um didn't last. because they were holding me to the old.

Mikey and I'm not that guy anymore. You. know, I'm not laughing and joking and. smiling and who you see even today is a. complete 180 from what [clears throat]. they got to see come home. I was very. serious. I was very like short, you. know. Um. >> Well, you had been through a lot. >> Yeah. I didn't have any time for it. And. the stuff they was laughing at, I was. still thinking about the and the deaths. and and that kind of thing. So,

>> uh we just I just was like, you know. what? I'm going to be quiet about it. >> Yeah. >> But to hide it from the woman you love. like And did you notice in him any PTSD, anxiety, stuff like that? because I'm. sure there was things that, you know, had to have presented themselves. >> I noticed maybe once Legend. [clears throat] was born and he kind of. wouldn't want to want to hold him. Um. kind of the noise. Um then he got to the. point where he was maybe like one and a.

half, two he, you know, little kids like. balls. So Michael would see a ball and. kind of just stare at it for like. minutes at a time. And then the big boom. was a boom. It was July 4th. >> and Detroit, Michigan and fireworks were. going off. >> and he has this episode. He's like. diving up under. >> Well, when does fireworks in Detroit? >> Yeah. I mean it [laughter]. sound real close. >> The thugs boy. >> Don't come to our July 4th party.

>> What's going on? [laughter] Like and. he's freaking out, you know. He's up. under the bed and I'm like, but I kind. of saw signs and I'm like, this time I'm. going to we just got to talk about it. I. don't know what's going on. >> Yeah, >> but this isn't normal. And he's just. like, get down. Get down. I'm like, get. down. >> What are you talking about? And then he. kind of just. >> starts telling me, you know, I went to. war. And I'm like, you went to what? You. know, >> you in you were in the military. He was. like, yeah, I went to the military and I. was in went to war.

>> twice. >> Twice. And I'm like, okay. and you're. homeless and we're figuring this out. And I was like, "You need to go to the. VA. to one, figure out what's going on with. you and two to see how they can help. you." Yeah. >> And it was an angel as always when you. go to places and goss with you. It's. angel inside the VA. >> And he walks up to us randomly. You're. at like a regular doctor's appointment. And he's like, "Are you guys getting. your benefits like that?" And I'm like, "Benefits?".

>> Jamal? >> Jamal? And I'm like, "No, I don't I. don't know anything about it." And he. educates us about it and it's not moving. as fast as we want it to move. And he's. like, "Well, maybe you can take it up a. notch." And the next thing I'm thinking. is, "Let's go to the government, you. know, to see what they can do." So I. write the senator, Barbara Macowski, and. I'm like, "We're homeless. We don't have. anything. My husband's served two tours. in Iraq. Is there anything you all can. do for us?" and they looked at my file. and realized that all the stuff that was. written up in my file.

>> about me and what I had done out there. >> and I remember her saying, >> "How did we let you slip. >> through the cracks?" She was very like. charismatic and very like. >> very compassionate. >> She Yeah, she felt it, you know. It. [clears throat] made me feel. >> like um someone actually cared what was. popping off other than Tanya cuz Tanya. saved my life. I mean like we talk about. legend but even before that. [clears throat and cough]. you know I came to her with two little. girls.

>> and um my little girls were my and still. are in my world you know and uh but I. was I was I was lost. >> you know and uh. and when I met Tanya I felt hope like. even before we we were dating you know I. felt like I think my life is about to. change. And I remember my my daughters, my my baby girl, Courtney, she was like. uh. >> Courtney was like how old? Like.

>> six. >> She looked at me and uh and um. >> she was like, "Don't you mess this up. for us, mister.". >> And and Courtney is Wow. Courtney is not. a people person. Like she does not like. she did not as a baby. >> I used to have to tell people she's not. trying to be rude. She's just. straightforward, you know? >> I love [clears throat and laughter] her. But they took both of them. Michaela. um Michaela introduced herself to Tanya. She was like, "Hi, I'm Michaela Tenise. Troder." Oh, can I have your autograph.

and your number? >> Phone number. >> And I was like, "What?" [laughter] Fell. in love with. >> Who are THESE LITTLE GIRLS? >> THEY HAD better game than you. >> Oh, they they they chastised me about. that game. >> I love them so much. >> Um that. >> those are my babies. >> That was a wild period. I mean, >> but to the homeless point, um, when we. realized when we fell when we when we. started dating and stuff, um, we I just we just never separated.

And I was over that house October 2nd. until we would leave. Like I I never. left. >> I didn't leave like we were we would. wake up, eat, watch TV. >> [laughter]. >> That was our lives. >> It was It was bad. Like, >> no, that's how the beginning of of. passionate relationships started. >> It was all day every and and then one. day. >> the people were like, "Okay, y'all got.

to go. >> It's [laughter] too much noise in here. You all need to go.". >> Here's a fact. We counted this. >> Get your own house. [laughter]. >> Our first year. >> I love it. They're like, "You're making. us look bad, right? You're making my. husband have to step his game up.". [laughter]. >> Well, our first year, we counted this. Yeah, >> we stayed in 20 different houses. >> Wow. Just like rentals like every. two weeks later kick us out. >> Oh my goodness. >> Yeah. And we found one guy um who was a.

ex-military himself. >> and he and his wife I got into a spat. with the first lady of a church I was. working for in Virginia. Yeah. >> They were having a stay in one of their. members homes. He had a a duplex. and legend was about. >> it was two and a half three. >> No. >> Was he walking? >> Mm-m. Remember [clears throat] he was. holding he remember she would hold him. and he. >> That's right. Because he he was about a.

year. >> He probably just started a year. Um, this lady had very bad energy and legend. whenever she would hold him, >> he would scream and and and claw and and. and she was like, "He's got a demon in. him." And then all these. >> things. No, you got a demon in you, lady. >> Crazy lady. >> Well, um, we got into a little a little. disagreement about, you know, they hired. me to be the music director, >> but she wanted all the solos. And I was like, "Lady, y'all hired me to.

do a job." Um, so I put in a a plan that if you're. late, you can't sing on Sunday, no. matter who you are, cuz we have. rehearsals and stuff. And so, um, she. was late. and wanted to sing. I said, "I'm sorry, that can't happen." So, we got into it. and, um, I was like, "All right, you. know what? I I can't I can't do this. And [ __ ] They were like, "Well, if.

you're not going to be doing it, then. guess what? Y'all need to move out. >> right now.". >> Yeah. >> We had nowhere to go. Like with a little. baby like they kicked us out of this. little apartment. And um this this this. guy uh James Cooper, >> he said, "Why don't y'all come on Sunday. um come come up to our our church?" They. had a little house church. And um I was. like, "Man, we got to go on Faith Ty cuz. we I got I got literally eight bucks to. my name.".

>> And uh. without any hesitation, they take up. this offering for us. And then they open. this door and show us this room in their. house. >> Mhm. >> And they were like, "This is your room. This is your house. Y'all stay with us.". Y. >> rent free as long as you need. >> No strings attached. We went back to Richmond, got our. things, and drove back up there because. they had given us enough money from an.

offering. >> A. >> and we were there. We would be there. from 2012. >> Yeah. >> Um 2011. >> Mhm. >> We would be there from 2011 all the way. to 2016. >> A. >> rent free. No, I mean like we would give. them things. Um, in 2016, >> that's when your pension. >> that's when my the military finally. finished processing all the things for.

me. >> Yeah. >> Um, >> they sent me a check for 5,675. >> as a holdover. They were like, "Listen, >> we're [clears throat] almost done. processing your claim, >> but until then, here's five grand.". >> Mhm. >> And then, um, Tanya's mom, this was in. no November 2015 is when I got that. Then Tanya's mom had passed away. >> And, um, we were War and Treaty by then.

We became War and Treaty in 2014. >> Okay. Yeah. >> Um, and we had a little tour plan and. Tanya quit. Tanya was like, I'm done. Like that's I remember my mom. She was I. was devastated. Like. >> oh my god. >> I mean I could I just couldn't she. wasn't [clears throat] sick and 3 weeks. later she just died. I was like. >> what happened? >> She got she had a little fire in her. house and it raised her blood pressure. up and. >> triggered that. >> triggered like vascular dementia. >> So when your blood pressure gets high. you your memory leaves. And she ended up.

going to a hospital and it was just one. thing after the other. one after the. other end. >> Two weeks later, they were like, "We. have to put her in hospice." And we're. like, "Hospice? She was just. >> she just had a but she kept having. series of strokes. >> and the vascular dementia just kept. getting worse. But I we we now that we. look back, we knew she knew she was. going to die.". >> Yeah. >> Her entire house was clean. She had all. her paperwork together. So, you know, she knew something was going to happen. And then she passed away. >> But Tanya had quit. And I never forget.

this moment. Um. we. we were we were we were done. Like we. had nothing. And we were still living in. their home. >> Yeah. >> But Tanya was like she was starting to. get that. >> I need my own like I'm I'm ready to get. out of here. You know that kind of. thing. >> A woman wants her own. >> Yeah. We were on Wick. We had food. stamps. We were like living. >> We were We were in it, man. >> Yeah. We were that was. >> you hung in there a really long time.

together doing just you know happy like. that's the thing like I had um Tanya was. getting her residuals and each year this. is how bad it was each year Tanya could. rely on one main check to pay like 10. grand to come to Switzerland and do like. a Christmas thing with this one church. >> I was making literally. $125. a Sunday. >> to play that was the only work I could. actually find.

>> Mhm. >> But it was two hours away, >> right? >> And I would be driving that's those two. hours to go and do that and then driving. back. And finally I looked at my wife. and I was like in tears because I knew. that I was done. I was like, "Tanya, I I. I'm dying. I can't physically do this. anymore, >> right? >> And I don't know what we're going to. do." and she was like, "Baby, it's okay." And then I was I was really.

at the height of my depression with. PTSD. >> Um, >> yeah. >> And [clears throat] and I would be in. the basement in the dark and Tanya would. be showing me different like videos of. like certain bands like Mumford and. Sons, Civil Wars, >> um, Lone Bellow. like she was just. showing me all these artists and she was. like. >> inspire him, you know, to this could I'm. seeing other people doing what we may be. able to do, you know, let's let's. consider it. I don't know what it's. called, but I sure like how it feels.

You know, it looks good. something say. in my life cuz this was the first. suicide moment I was having in 201. >> uh 13. >> and um Tanya was in the shower and it. just depression just came in like a Mac. truck. >> and I was like I'm going I'm going to. end this. >> and two artists came on this my TV in. that living room. Um the first one was. Lee Bryce.

>> Mhm. >> And he had a song called I drive your. truck. >> Mhm. >> And it was like military dog tag. swinging it and he the lyrics and I was. just like and I was just like stuck like. what what's going on? Like what's. happening? And then the second cat was a. artist named Brantley Gilbert. >> We love Brantley. >> And he's got this song at this time. called That's One Hell of a Name Man. >> And that was it. the dam just cracked in. half and I was just like yelling and.

balling and I couldn't take it anymore. >> And Tanya came in there and I was like, I don't know how. I don't know what I'm. going to do, but somehow. >> I need to be doing that what they're. doing. >> And then um so we in 2014, we became a. duo though. Yeah. because. we recognize something that. >> you know Tanya is immaculate alone like. by herself her voice is just her stage. presence Tanya is a superstar.

>> um me alone I can make it I can fair you. know I can I can get along he's. >> you guys together is so special. >> but when we we started doing something. rehearsing. >> together songs I wrote for brother and a. mutual friend was like oh hell. That is what y'all are. >> Yeah. >> So, 2016 comes and. >> so let's pause right there really quick. Tell [clears throat] everybody how you. guys came up with the name Warren Treaty. because that's such a that is such a.

like just distinct name. The first time. I remember the first time I saw you guys. perform, I was like, who are these. people? I was so excited. [laughter] And. Jay's like, that's the Warren Treaty. And he's like he's like telling like he. was happy that I didn't know who you. guys were and you got to like fill me. in. Yeah. >> We were fighting. Yeah, [laughter]. >> we got to one hell of a fight. >> We were fighting cuz Michael. >> She said we were not in therapy. >> We were [laughter] not in therapy. That. was I needed therapy at that time, you. know, but we were fighting. We had. changed the name like nine times. Well,

Michael. >> changed the name nine times. And I'm. like the steady Libra, you know. I'm. like, if that scale starts going Yeah. >> you know, off. I'm like, it freaks me. out. So, I'm like, we're not changing. the name again. I'm like, yes, we are. And I'm like, we're not doing it again. I'm like, we're not. It's not happening. we're going this is happening for like. 15 minutes, right? And I'm asking him. why does he want to change and he's. explaining? Yeah. And I'm like, "No, it's not going to happen." And so I say, "Listen, >> this is not. >> But we're getting loud. I mean, we're. like we're like fighting, you know, >> we argue and you would think, okay, I'm.

about to get divorced. [laughter]. >> We're both passionate people.". >> Respectfully passionate. That's why I. tell myself, I'm like, "You know what? We're having a [laughter]. We're having a respectful debate. It's. just out. >> All right. Here they go. >> Yeah. Everybody just walks out of the. room. All right. And then, you know, but. he. finally gives in. I said, "Michael, this. is not a war. >> We have to find a treaty here, some. peace." And he's like, "And I'm gang.".

>> I said, "You just did. That's the name.". She was like, "What?" I was like, "The. waring treaty.". >> And that's it. >> The natural tug and pull of life. >> Yeah. But it actually kind of applies to. both of you because you have the war and. the war inside of you that's been going. on and you're kind of like the. peacemaker and the treaty and like the. balance of the relationship. So it. really does fit both of you guys. >> I saw it immediately when when she said. it. I was like, >> "Oh, this is our life." Like this is, >> you know, that that that settles it for.

me. >> And um she was like, >> "IT'S TOO LONG.". >> YEAH. [laughter]. I'M LIKE, >> TYPICAL WOMAN. >> YEAH. UHHUH. It's too long. What does it. mean? I was like, [laughter]. >> she said, "What does it mean?". >> It wasn't me. After I said it, it wasn't. me. It's your idea. [laughter]. >> I love it. So, how did you guys finally. decide to keep it though? Like, how did. you convince her that it wasn't too. long? >> I just told her what it meant to me. >> I was like, "You know what, Tanya?" I. said, "To be honest with you, >> you have been my peace in every single.

war.". >> That's it. I was like, >> "That's a great wife." I was like, I. don't know what other name we could come. up with that would represent our our. time together here on earth. >> And I hope to be that same thing back to. the struggles and the wars you have. inside of you that I have yet to see. And she was just like, "Oh, okay. We I'm. in that. That's it. That's what it is.". I was like, "All right, bet.". >> So, take me on this journey because now.

you guys are making music. I mean, how. did you guys get your foot in the door, especially in country, because it is not. an easy avenue? >> Wow. Um, it's weird because I can't. pinpoint the win. Can you? >> Mhm. You can't. I [laughter]. can't. I mean, >> this man knows dates. You're like my. husband. That's how Jay is. He'll tell. you dates. I don't know. I never. >> I don't know. I mean, we were just. >> I don't even know what day it is, [laughter] you know, ever. >> I'm like that, too. I'm like, "Okay,

where's the phone?". >> Yeah, exactly. >> What day it is? I don't know. Oh, I mean. we were recording music and we did a. record with Emmy Lou Harris. We did. Well, we did EP first. >> Okay. >> In Albian, Michigan. Um, you know, after. my mom passed, I wasn't doing music and. I kind of fell in love with it again in. Albian and put it out and Michael didn't. want it out initially, so I kind of. snuck it to this lady on Twitter. I'm. like, the song. >> the single. Yeah. >> And it was kind of folky, you know, it. wasn't a mainstream country sounding,

you know, record. And it kind of took, you know, to certain parts of the. country that that we call the heartland. >> Well, country wasn't in the cards. >> No, at all. >> We had no no. >> no aspirations to be in country. >> because to me and Tanya that meant. something else at the time. >> Oh, okay. >> Like keeping it 100. I mean, the the. things I knew of country music as it. pertains to people that look like us, I. was like, I'm no, we we going to be over. here. >> There's not room for us is how you felt.

>> That's how I felt. And um but um and. also I didn't want to be in the industry. at all. >> No, >> I had a problem with selling the music. and doing all because remember now I got. into writing music. >> I think that's what I skipped over to. tell you. Um, when I wrote that song. about the fallen comrade, >> my my colonel saw how it affected our. battalion. >> and he changed my job. I became the.

songwriter for our unit. So, I had to go. to every memorial, every every death and. learn about the soldier if I didn't know. them. >> and write the song and turn around and. perform it that afternoon at the. memorials. So I have gotten to a rhythm. of literally writing songs about a life. and not really trying to be clever and. not trying to be cool. I was literally. writing about one individual who was. living and is now longer with us. So. when when Tanya presented the idea of.

you know sending the song to the radio. and all that stuff. my famous sounds that Hollywood and hell. no I ain't in. >> I'm like I just bought some bootleg CDs. from [laughter] but but it wasn't but. even that album was more his story kind. of now that I think about it was him. letting it out you know. >> it was whatever he had gone through it. was letting it out and that what that I. purchased. So we never I don't think I. again I can't remember the when you you.

have the dates and you know when but. >> Oh yeah I know exactly what what took. place. Um we got to go back to a guy. named Peter Cooper. >> Peter Cooper is a Nashville staple at. the Country Music Hall of Fame. M. >> they were inducting in 2018 the late. great Dy West. >> into the Country Music Hall of Fame. and somebody had caught wind of an. interview of me and Tanya on NPR talking. about our story and talking about the.

homelessness and the military and all. that stuff. And um Peter was like, "You. know what? Um, Dy West would have loved the War and. Treaty. >> because of her character and because of. the stories of of her. I mean, she would. just let people stay in on her couch for. days and months at a time, you know, and. and she kind of lost her her her. marriage a little bit to that amongst. other things what they what he was. doing. Nonetheless, um they were like,

"We we we want to present the war and. treaty to the family." And the family. was like, "Oh, let's do this. Let's. let's get them to sing." And so our. first moment was we sang Lessons and. Leaving. >> at the Country Music Hall of Fame for. the induction. And. >> it was from that point on to where we we. just um country music grabbed hold to. us. We we didn't grab it. It grabbed us. >> Isn't it crazy? And I tell everybody. this like whenever I talk about on the. podcast cuz.

>> my my husband and I thought it was going. to be so hard for him to get into. country too. And once they grab a hold. of you, they love you and they really. just try to like bring you in and like. it's the most, you know, cuz my my. husband was in hip-hop before this and. country rap or if that's even a thing. anymore. But it's like it was just so. different, you know, everybody nobody. [clears throat] had each other's backs. Everybody was fighting drama. It's. fueled by drama. And then you come to. the country circle and it's just like. everybody loves everybody and like. everybody wants to help everybody and I.

don't know if that's you guys'. experience, but that's what it's been. for us and it's been so beautiful to. watch and we're like we feel so. fortunate to be a part of the family. You know, that's how we got to meet you. guys and [laughter] see you guys and. just it's been amazing. >> It's been amazing to see what country. music allows to represent itself as. well. Mhm. >> I remember um we were we were laughing. with your husband because it was like. the day the Grammys started um. announcing the nominations.

>> Mhm. >> It was a a wild thing because every year. we get prepared for it by our teams at. the time and. um it never happens for us. And so this. particular year I was just like I'm not. interested. You know, we're in the. airport, you know, watching it. And um. so we get a nomination for best new. artist. And when you understand the the. inner makings of how that. happens, certain genres have certain.

slots. >> that they'll slate you in as the future. of the genre, right? >> And so. I didn't I didn't know that. I I was. just like oblivious to that. like, okay, I'm just like, hell yeah, we nominated. what? You know, like, yeah, I didn't. realize that that nomination, it's not. so much about the win. It's more about. the nomination and what it means to a. genre. >> Yeah.

>> And so, Jelly, I never forget, here's the crazy thing. I I go into my. inbox and do a video because I'm like, I'm going to send Jelly Roll now that I. know what this means. I'm like, "Okay, Jelly Roll and the War and Treaty are. actually representing in this genre. >> country music, the future and the. present of country music.". >> So, I'm about to send him a message. failing to realize he has beat me to. this. [laughter].

>> He's like, >> "My hood time weren't treaty, you know, doing the thing." He's like, "Can you. believe that we [laughter]. like?" And honestly, no, I cannot. because. >> I mean, when you look at. Jelly Roll and when you look at War and. Treaty and you put them face to face. against what has represented this genre. for years, starting with. >> Johnny Cash, starting with Loretta Lynn.

and and all the things. And as you. travel Gu and. >> Randy Travis and and you look at that. and and then you look in today's. industry, there are artists who. >> on the outside they want to reflect. that. >> Yeah. You know, I mean, even me, my. stylist had me trapped for a while into. believing that I had to reflect this in. order to be in order to be accepted as a. country artist versus realizing. my talent was already putting me in the.

room. Right. >> Right. But then when you look at. the stories. and you look at the outer makings, like. when you look at Jelly Roll, it's like. you cannot ignore and miss the fact that. authenticity. >> Yeah. >> is what. Bubba. >> is thirsting for. >> Yeah. >> Because I mean like like people on this. genre a lot.

>> Yeah. Especially the genre itself cuz. they'll say things like. >> country music fans are crazy. >> Well, they'll say stuff like, "Well, you. know, we got to make music for Bubba and. Bubba is not that bright is what they. say." But they don't realize something. I I just had this conversation the other. day with someone. I said, >> "Do you understand what's happening? Like, we just left Iowa State Fair.". >> Oh, you guys were there, would they? When I text you, >> we were there. >> Oh, yeah. Yeah, that's right.

21,000. plus. >> Yeah. Crazy, right? And you cannot go. anywhere without hearing. on the intercom, oh, Jelly just pulled. up or to hear what a fan says about. Jelly or or realize people wearing these. shirts and people are really connected. and and people are, you know, the those. who are there's. maybe 25% or 50% of the audience is. connected to the music. M.

>> but people who look like me who are. showing up, they're connected to the. speech. >> That's different. Like people don't. people think it's a joke and they think. it's cool that someone would put organs. behind his acceptance speech. And I'm. like, y'all don't understand what that. means. >> That means he's preaching to them. >> And he's touching a part that makes them. feel like somebody's hearing them. >> Yeah. or they feel better. I remember.

for me I I just kept listening to I only. talk to God when I need a savior because. that's how I felt in Iraq. I felt at. first I felt real shitty about that. I. felt like. >> man I've been hearing about you all my. life and this is what it comes to. Like. I got to get on my knees and talk to you. now because I'm scared. >> Yeah. >> I'm terrified about what the guy is. going to do over there. But then I. started listening to. what God was telling me. >> Was like, "It's okay if that's how you.

want to come at me." And that's that. because I understand you more than. anybody. >> Yeah. >> So that is to represent country music. And then you got. the Warren Treaty. Let's just be honest. got a black husband and wife. representing country music. >> I don't know when I saw you guys the. first time I was fascinated. >> I was like, you were like just Jessica. Rabbit up on the stage looking all.

gorgeous and then we have, you know, your hunk of a [clears throat] husband. and then but when you guys open your. mouths, >> you guys already have such a presence, you know? So when people see you, they're like, "What is what's going on?". You know, when you guys start singing, it is like so angelic, dude. It is just, oh, it's amazing. And I just remember. looking at my husband and I'm like, who. are these people? And and he was just so. stoked for you guys, [laughter] you. know, cuz he just loves you guys so. much. And he just filled me in on you. guys. And ever since then, I've just. been watching you guys' journey unfold.

and I get to see you guys at all the. award shows. We got to sit together at. the Grammys. I was wearing a diaper. It. was really uncomfortable. It was the. worst day of my life. But we [laughter]. we [ __ ] got diaper. Oh, girl, my. period started the day of the Grammys. that I had a nice tight dressed me into. a diaper in my dress and I like had to. keep asking Gracie Abrams right next to. me. I'm like, "Do you see blood on me?". Like I [laughter]. >> Every time we stood up, I was just But I. was so thankful for all of us to be able. to share that moment together and.

sitting at the table and I think you and. my husband are a meme. >> Oh my, they are. They were jamming. watching Tracy Tracy. Wait, did y'all. hear that about Tracy today? No. >> No. >> This is going to freak y'all out. So. earlier in the year, it was just. released that. >> Stevie Wonder and the Jacksons, like. Michael and and Janet are actually. cousins, like blood cousins. >> Well, Janet just said, "Well, I mean, now we're talking about it." So, Samuel. L. Jackson is their cousin, but Tracy. Chapman, too.

>> Really? >> Really? >> Crazy. >> Sorry. What a crazy musical family. >> That's insane. Wow. That's insane. >> That's insane. That's why [laughter] we. were freaking out. I mean, like, we were. freaking out because that moment was so. like I forgot while I was there. I mean, like, >> yeah, >> that was a beautiful moment. >> It really was beautiful. >> Like, you had to have been there to. actually like really get to feel like. I'm sure it conveyed on TV to everybody, too. But being in that moment, getting. to see Tracy Chapman on stage with Luke. Combmes, who's who's an amazing. performer. Yeah,

>> it was just a moment and it was like. it's kind of took us all back to our. childhoods. >> cuz I know I don't know how old you guys. were whenever that song came out, but I. just remember that song when I was. younger. So, it was like everybody just. had a moment of their childhood, you. know? >> It was so wonderful. >> And to be able to see Luke. >> Mhm. >> in that moment, you know, I sent them a. message afterwards and they responded. back to see him, >> you could see how he was. He said, "I. was so nervous." He says, "The most. nervous I've ever been." But you saw one.

of our giants just become so small in. that moment and like a you know humble. standing next to her. It was beautiful. It was so a part of creating that. moment. I think that people so when I. said you know. >> um to be black and representing this. particular genre um I think people are. afraid to acknowledge. um. the history but in a. pure way, right? So,

>> right, >> you know, Tanya and I when we got our. nomination in the ACM and the Cas, we. are the first African-American husband. wife duo to ever get nominated, period. >> Wow. >> Like, people didn't know that. Like, it. was a big deal. >> The fact that. >> we were even nominated. It was like, wow. >> How does that feel though coming from. the streets of Cleveland, coming from. your upbringing to the struggle that you. guys have had to face together.

to now being at these shows and being. nominated, the first people to be. nominated like that? >> I cry all the time. I cry all the time. I'm I'm driving down the street. sometimes. I'm just like bursting in. tears. You know what I mean? Because. >> it's. >> you can't dream this up. You couldn't. put it down as a marketing plan. But. just the thought of it now even brings. me to, you know, wakes my eyes, just. make me want to cry because I'm like. >> so many people had this dream, >> you know, and for it to happen for us,

you know, it's just it's mind-blowing. >> And on the other side of it, >> it it it it changed. >> my my me personally, it changed my my. life. And and people will say, well, of. course, yeah, you get it's got nothing. to do with music. It's got nothing to do. with getting shows or or fan base or. nothing. I actually got healed. >> at the Cas. >> from fireworks and from the Fourth of. July situation. >> Yeah. >> Um and I I wrote a post about this, but.

I I'll briefly tell you. Um our manager. at the time was like, "Michael, I need. to talk to you. >> Um Miranda and Carrie both have um pyro. in their performances. >> and you're sitting very close to stage. So, um, we're going to pull you at a. certain time so that, you know, we got. headphones in the back so you don't hear. it. And I'm like, man, I I don't feel. like making us sing. You know, I I.

didn't want people to be worrying about. that. And I didn't want me and Tanya to. be. >> cuz we couldn't. >> overshadowed by that. You know, >> we couldn't go watch fireworks. Legend. has never watched fireworks with us. Yeah, >> we've never and when we do festivals, we. have to find a place to put Michael. where he can be calm and I'm soothing. him because it's a trigger, >> especially on Fourth of July like North. Carolina. >> Yeah, like North Carolina, you know, we. did a festival and he's like freaking. out in the back of stage like shaking. and everything. though. >> Well, we're at the CMAS. >> and Miranda's performance and Carrie's.

performance happens and they don't pull. me at all. And I'm just sitting there. with Tanya and I'm staring because. Tanya's in like this bad [ __ ] dress. >> She always looks so damn good. >> I am like, "OMG, like this is for But. then it and then I heard a still small. voice say, "You made it.". >> And I was like, And I just started balling because I. realized I sat through those two.

performances that had the pyro. And from. that moment on, I've been able to to do. fireworks. >> You felt safe for once. >> Yeah. For. >> I felt safe and I felt in charge. >> Yes. >> I didn't let them pull me. >> Yeah. Mhm. >> I tell everybody that cuz I suffer from. OCD and like severe anxiety, too. And. the way I've gotten through it was my. husband came to me. I told them this the. other day or I forget who I was talking. to, but my husband came to me about 2.

years ago and he said, "Bunny, I love. you. You haven't left the house. You are. reminding me of my mom and it's very. triggering to me." And he's like, "If. you don't leave this house, we're going. to have to think rethink our. relationship, >> you know, cuz that's how bad my OCD had. gotten me to where I couldn't barely. even go to the store, like do anything.". And so my way of curing that was like, "Okay, I'm just going to hop on tour. with my husband.". >> And you jump right in. >> The last tour, I got my own bus and I.

got People don't realize. They're like, "Why does she have to have her own bus?". Blah blah blah. Well, because I'm. conquering fears and I'm paying for it, so don't ask questions. [laughter]. But um I got on that bus. My crew hopped. on with me and I conquered every fear. I've ever had. And now I like It's. crazy. You have to go through it to get. through it. And especially when you're. conquering fears like that. >> You really do. >> Yeah. And now I'm like, I'm ready to go. on tour. I can't wait. We leave three. weeks and like I go places now. Like and. I don't have panic attacks and like it's.

just a a work in progress. And I I. always tell everybody if you're dealing. with any sort of anxiety, OCD, >> be in charge. >> Yes. >> Be the the captain of your ship and. don't let it own you, dude. And that is. so cool that you got through the. fireworks, man. That's huge. I'm proud. of you. >> CMA at the CMA. >> That's so awesome. >> Miranda's coming on the podcast. tomorrow, actually. >> I can't believe I landed her. >> That's [laughter] my girl. >> Oh my god. Kudos to you for.

call. [laughter] Everybody. loves you. I mean, I I actually. experienced that. We opened up for the. Rolling Stones and the last time I had. that kind of anxiety was I missed my. mother's funeral. That's how bad my. anxiety is. >> And it gave me a really bad heart. condition because I almost died. >> I almost died. That's how she missed it. >> Yeah. My anxiety is that bad. And I. thought I had it under control. I was. like, "Okay, I'm touring. This is great. I'm in front of people all the time.". But now that you're talking, I'm.

realizing that I have kind of like. isolated. I don't go out as much. You. know, Michael wanted to go dancing the. other night. I was like, "No, I don't. want to go.". >> I used to do that, too. >> Uhhuh. And so then this was like what, seven weeks ago, eight weeks ago when we. opened up for the Roll the Stones. >> I was like a ball of I was a mess like. getting on Michael's nerves just. whatever. And I think it was because I. was I was being glad you was like I was. really getting on his nerves because. >> it was irritating me that one I I felt. like something was happening but I.

didn't know what it was, you know? And. so when I got out and it was time to um. do the sound check, I felt it. >> I was like, "Okay, this is I don't know. if I could do this." And I felt myself. just like getting. >> smaller and smaller and smaller. And. then I just I don't think we talked the. whole day. You were like sitting across. the room and I was like we were in the. same space and I said nothing to him for. like hours. >> cuz you're just so anxiety. >> I was so just trapped. And I realized. that I'm like, "Oh, this is what it is.

And it just showed up after 9 10 years. it never had done before and it's the. trauma when you just said that it just. reminded me that. >> you know. >> but you're not alone everybody is going. through something and there's just. different levels. I when I've was going. through all my trauma I was like I I've. never had anxiety. I've never had or I'm. sorry I've never had depression. I. always had anxiety. I never had. depression. I've never been suicidal. Blah blah blah. When I turned 40 years. old, I'm telling you, my suicidal.

ideiation hit me so hard that I didn't. think I was going to make it to 50 years. old, you know? I was like, just the. thought of living that long was like, this is exhausting. I can't do it, you. know? And you're going to go through. levels like that with your anxiety. But. the best thing I could ever tell you, and if you need to text me, text me. anytime, do not let it control you. Because when you let it control you, you're giving in. You have to fight. back. and you know do it on your own. time and when you can and it'll happen. when you can but. >> do something different that you would.

never do before like next time Michael. asks you to go dancing go dance with him. but say you know what baby I'm going to. go dance with you but I'm going to go. for an hour. >> and that's what I used to tell myself. okay I'm going to go do this remember I. would give myself time limits guys and. like I would show up to Jay's shows and. I would be out like before halfway. through his show but I started to learn. how to trust and feel safer more and. more and more and it's a process but. you'll through it. I promise. >> That's amazing that you say that because. that's actually why the housekeepings.

were hired because um see my wife is the. kind of person I just wrote this in a. post the other day. Tanya does. everything for everybody. M. >> and. um I've realized that's also. >> a part of it. >> a part of her super strength, her. superpower, >> but it's also a part of the thing, right? >> And so I know how long to let it go. >> And then I'm like, well, hey Tanya, I.

need to be involved. I need to know. what's my role. What do I what can I do? what did I and so you know finally she's. like okay you need to pay this bill you. need to hire this that that. >> and so I did and because and it makes me. feel like you know what. >> I'm doing something for her even though. it's for us. >> you know it's taking the load off. >> yes my husband had to do the same thing. for me because I I was just like Tanya. when people don't know this but when Jay.

and I first got together I used to kind. of quote unquote manage him and I would. do everything And it got to a point. where it was just crazy. Now I don't I. don't know anything that's going. [laughter] on with his business at all. But it's like. >> your name Tanya. His his his country name was TROUT. MICHAELS. [laughter]. >> You forgot this one. >> I've tried everything. >> I've tried everything. My R&B name was. Mike Ivory. [laughter]. >> R&B hip hop and she managed me.

>> So funny. >> I love it. You got Jay was a totem pole. roll. >> Yeah. You got I [laughter] can't. >> follow Totem pole roll. He will love you. forever. He'll be like, "Oh my god." Cuz. that's like his his uh Antioch name that. everybody. >> Wait, do you want to know some of our. duo names before? >> I would love to know some of your duo. >> Okay. So, here's here's a classic. >> You go back and forth. >> So, we were first called NYA, >> which stood for nine years apart. Years. apart. And then it was uh Empty Earth.

>> Empty Earth. >> I actually kind of like Empty Earth. >> It's a rock band. [laughter]. That was a rocker phase. >> That was a rocker face. >> We like Beyonce. We had phases. >> We had eras. We had eras before they. were eras. >> I love it. I love it. >> Oh, never put no music out. We. [laughter] just had. >> empty earth though. I do love. >> empty earth. And we were playing on. things. I was like, "Oh, empty." Like. empty earth, you know. She was like, "No, no." [laughter]. >> And then we were um Dear Martha. >> Yeah. And then we were Mike and Tanya. >> Dear Martha. Does that have to do with.

Martha Stewart? >> I [laughter] now that I think about it. bunnies. I didn't think about that. Stop. using your hand. That needs to be in my. house. You have dumb blood. That is me. [laughter]. >> I'm like, that's the name. No. Um, it was uh so my military uh. buddy uh who was killed, his wife was. Martha. And we have a song called Dear. Martha. So, we were trying to do that. >> And then we were called I'm not your. sister. >> I ain't your sister.

>> I ain't your sister. >> What phase was this? This was. >> the folky. >> The folky. [laughter]. Yeah. Then it was Mike and Tanya. He's. trying to change it again. >> Never Mike and Tanya. [laughter]. >> That's what I wanted. You wanted. >> I want to change it again to Mike and. you I don't. >> And then we're treaty. The Warren Treaty. is. >> Yeah, it's We're solid now. >> So, >> can we dive in really quick? Um, and. I'll I'll let you guys go cuz I have had. you guys for over two and a half hours. This has [laughter] been amazing. This. has been amazing. Um, I just want to let.

you guys know, Hey Driver, my daughter, our daughter played that song over and. over again. It's her daughter's favorite. song. >> Listen to that every single day. >> Oh my god. >> How did you guys connect with Zack Bryan. and take me on that journey with you. guys cuz I know it's a huge hit on. TikTok and I want everybody to know the. story behind it. >> It was at the ACM. We were doing the ACM. and Zach, it's time to leave, you know, behind stage. leaving and he runs back there.

>> No, we. >> Yeah, >> we weren't going to meet him, remember? >> We weren't going to meet him. >> We were going to to to. >> talk to was it Nate? Nate. Nate. Yeah. Nate Smith. Nate Smith. Uh-huh. We're. going to meet Nate and Zach runs back. there as we're talking finishing talking. to Nate. And he's like, >> "Guys," he's like, "I'm sitting next to. my dad. I got chills. My dad grabs my. leg. He's like, "What is happening to. me?" He was like, "I don't know what's. happening to me." He's like, "And so he. says, we got to exchange numbers." He. was like, "Do you understand? I don't. think people understand what just. happened to us in there." He said, "But.

they will.". >> And so we exchanged numbers and not even. a week later, >> he sends Michael the song. >> No, it was the next day. >> Was it the next day, right? Yeah. >> And maybe a couple days, we No, the next. day. And we send him a voice memo. He's. like, "I just want to hear whatever you. guys want to do. Like, here's the song. >> Whatever you want to do, send me a. voice.". >> Yeah. And so we send the voice memo back. to him and he puts it up on his. >> here's my new songs.

>> He puts it up in a Zach Bryan kind of. way. [laughter] And I love that about. him though. I love I love that he. doesn't give a. >> he wanted. He knew what he wanted. >> He knew what he wanted. >> Wait. His classic line was, "Wait, are. y'all signed?". >> Yeah. >> I was like, "What the. >> Hey, bro. Take that down. We going to. get in trouble.". >> Yeah. So, we had to do the whole. industry thing and, you know, get the. paperwork together. >> Who were you guys signed with? where. Universal Nashville. Gotcha. Okay. >> So, with them and he flew us to uh. Philadelphia and we and we are in the.

studio and if you hear on the record, >> Zack Brian say that the song is. Michael's. This is your song, Mike. It's. his song because Michael goes to the. bathroom and [laughter] I like start. talking to Zach. I'm like, >> "Yeah, Zach gets on his guitar." I'm. like, "You know, Michael plays the piano. like that." He's like, "Oh, he does?" I. said, "Yeah." I said, "He would sound. really good on this record with you.". And he's like, "He would." He said, "You. think he'd play?" I said, "Hell yeah, he'll play." Now, Michael doesn't like. to play the piano just like exposed,

>> right? >> You know, by himself. So, he gets back. from the bathroom and and Zach's like, "Yeah, Michael." Um, >> wait. Yeah. [laughter] Yeah. And u. He like He's like, "Yeah, yeah, Michael. His piano right here, man." He was like, >> I was like, "What?" [laughter]. >> What are WE DOING WITH THAT? >> HE'S LIKE HE'S LIKE, "WHAT ARE WE. DOING?" HE'S LIKE, "Come on, I'm doing. this. You know, you start playing." So, Michael starts playing. He starts. playing and then Zach leaves out and. goes on the other side cuz he's. recording out there and we're recording. in the booth. And Michael's kind of. apprehensive like not playing the song.

the way he was doing it with Zach. So, Zach says, "Come on, man." He says, "It's your song, Mike.". >> A. >> and it's we just go right all the way. down and start. >> And I got the stupid ass Ned Flanders. laughing. I'm like, [laughter] "Okay.". >> Yeah. I hate that part. >> It's your song. I laugh. >> He's laughing. And that's how the song. happened. It was [laughter]. >> Yeah, >> I love it. >> Flanders, >> I love it. >> It was so un It It was so natural. It. was so organic. And who knew?

>> It's a few people in in our business, in. this industry that you you you just want. to stay connected with, you know? I. mean, Jelly is one. >> Zach is another one. Uh Dirk Spentley. >> Um Miranda. >> Miranda. >> Yeah. is my little spicy taco. >> We got so Okay, never mind. Never got to. [laughter] tell you that's what I'm. talking about. >> Who is it? Who is it about? >> Oh my god. We We We did All right. And I.

think we we got so in there, right? >> Oh, with Miranda. >> See, people think me and Ty are so like. conservative and so not. >> Honestly, that's kind of what the the um. idea that I had just from watching you. guys' interviews cuz you guys are so. [laughter] proper. But then the minute. you guys sat down, I was like, "Oh, this. is this is game on.". >> We're like, I mean, we're we, you know, >> it's it's bad. It. >> No, but you guys, you know what? You. guys are real. >> Miranda was like, "Wait, are we doing. this?" I was like. >> Oh, yeah. Miranda gets saucy. She don't. play. >> I love her. >> Yo, she's amazing.

>> And she's brilliant in the studio. Brilliant. >> Brilliant. I mean, >> she is. I And I know I'm going to get. some heat for this, but besides Dolly. and which to me, I Dolly is the queen of. country for other reasons. Miranda is. the queen of country because she is just. she's the truth. >> No, she she forever. >> I love that you said that because. >> it's hard because of the history of. Miranda and not not. um it's it's when you are married in the. industry,

>> you know, things overshadow, you know, like and then when both of you are like. powerhouses like I mean Blake is a G, you know, Miranda is a real G. >> Yeah. No, Miranda's G. She's the truth. Straight up. >> She is. She's like street country. And I. feel like Blake is like, >> you know, >> he's that he's that post. So he's that. thing. Yeah. Yeah. >> But you know, Miranda is Okay. So you I. could say this to you and you'll be. like, damn. I I get that. >> You know, in church people, the.

preachers used to say, uh, if you don't. [clears throat] praise them, the rocks. will cry out. >> Yeah. >> Well, this is the rock moment. >> These are the rocks. >> Mhm. We are the rocks. >> Yeah. >> And the rocks is the real thing. It's. like. >> that over there. You've abused this gift. >> of spirituality for so long. >> by creating this poster picture of what. it is and then trying to force people to. live up to that.

>> and then now it's like okay now we. unchained. >> Yes. >> We're unchained. We are like. >> everybody's [clears throat] making their. own path. That's what it is. >> My husband, you guys. I mean like you. >> Yeah. [laughter] Thank you. >> Oh yeah. >> I appreciate it. >> Blazing it. You got a fire to it. She's. burning the damn pan up. So we don't. [laughter] after six years. I'm just. glad to be here. >> I love it. I love it. >> I love you guys and I appreciate you. guys so much. Thank you for sitting down. with me. And whenever you guys want to. come back, if you guys have new. projects, anything, you guys always have.

a seat on my couch. >> We would love to. Thank you. Thank you. so much. I know. I'm so excited to have. you guys. I'm so excited for the world. to get to hear this and just love and. embrace you guys. Like I'm really stoked. about it. >> more than they already have. [laughter]. [gasps]. >> What are So let shout out your socials. and then like let me know of any. projects you guys have coming up. >> We actually well we're touring. Um we. have the record coming out next year and. then you can reach us on the war. andtreaty.com. The war and treaty on all.

socials except X. Is it X now? Twitter X. whatever. I don't [laughter] even that. that place scares me over there. >> Andy. Yeah, >> it is scary over there. >> Is there anything else you guys want to. shout out? Your tour dates like anything. like that. [laughter]. >> This is where we're bad at. Yeah, we're. going to be somewhere. I mean, >> just look at warrior.com. [laughter]. There you go. There it is. >> I appreciate you guys so much. Thank you. for coming. Thank you. >> Thank you guys for tuning in to another.

episode of Dumb Blonde. I will see you. guys next week. Bye.