Exclusive: The War and Treaty Talk Bon Jovi Collab, Taking Fans to Church With New Music

When Jon Bon Jovi needed a collaborator for his song “People’s House,” the New Jersey rocker remembered the Grammy-nominated duo who paid tribute to him when he was honored as MusiCare’s 2024 Person of the Year in February—The War and Treaty.

“People’s House” is out now, and the soulful country husband-and-wife pair Michael and Tanya Trotter promised a video would be forthcoming.

“It’s a song that he picked,” Tanya said. “I think it’s timely. When you are a rock star like that, there are just songs that transcend time. So to add us onto this song, because it’s been done before, that’s very special and timely for the time we are living in right now.”

Michael was impressed by the rocker’s thoughtfulness and character. The singer said their music director was so excited to meet Bon Jovi. Because he knew that, Bon Jovi zeroed in on him at the end of the shoot.

“The one person he paid attention to with all the people out there was our musician,” Michael said. “He knew where to shine his light. And I think that’s what you see when you meet (other icons). They know what to do with their light.”

The War and Treaty: Icons Know Where to Shine Their Light

Michael said Bon Jovi is also the guy who returns texts immediately.

“If I text him two minutes later, I can count on him texting me back,” Michael said.

Michael describes Bon Jovi as serious and said he “knows how it should be.”

“He’s given it a million percent, and he’s not going to accept anything less back,” Michael said. “I love that his band, his engineers, his producers, they all know that if he says this, this is what it is.”

As much as The War and Treaty enjoyed working with Bon Jovi, the couple is most excited about “Can I Get an Amen,” the new song they released on Friday, Sept. 20.

“We’re going to take you to church, but it’s a different kind of church,” Michael promised from the Americana Honors & Awards red carpet before the show. Then, he shared another opportunity to see the couple play live and be a part of the duo’s history.

The War and Treaty will record a live album and DVD at The Cannery in Nashville on Oct. 7.
“If you ever listened to James Brown live at the Apollo,” Michael said by way of reference. “We want people to come and check it out. It’s going to be a beautiful experience. That’s what we’re excited about.”

(Photo by Monica Schipper/Getty Images for The Recording Academy)