The Tray Wellington Band is making their mark on bluegrass! Based in Johnson City, TN and Jefferson, NC, Tray has received a number of awards and accolades, including two awards from IBMA — 2019 IBMA Momentum Instrumentalist of the Year and 2019 Momentum Band of the Year (with Cane Mill Road). On the heels of their 2022 release, the Tray Wellington Band toured extensively throughout 2023, and are coming back to Chicago with a show on December 7th at the Hideout TICKETS HERE.

BG Chicago connected with Tray Wellington about their recent album and return to Chicago. Check out one of our favorite tracks and read our Q&A below!

 

What aspect of your 2022 album – Black Banjo – makes you most proud?  My favorite part of Black Banjo was the message I wanted it to bring to people which is the idea of being yourself no matter what! I think alot of the time there is societal pressure to fit a certain mold and for me being Black and playing banjo is often looked at as odd by people but I am doing what I love and I will not let people’s perception change that!

 
 
What’s a current source of inspiration for you? Is there a particular player or band you’re listening to right now? Or a banjo style or tune you’re stuck on?
I have so many inspirations but right now songs with great storytelling have been really inspiring no matter what genre and it has given me a different way of thinking even while playing banjo which has caused my composition to have more themes rather than just a standalone song!
 
 
I believe this is your second time touring and playing in the Chicago-area within 2023, correct? It’s awesome to see you all touring so much and hitting the midwest too, what have been some tour highlights from this year?
This year was my favorite year of touring got to see a lot of amazing new places and meet a lot of great people. I would say heading out west more has definitely been a highlight.
 
 
What’s on the horizon for the Tray Wellington band in 2024?
We have a new EP coming out earlier next year we are super excited about and will be doing our first European shows!
 
 
Earlier this month you were featured in a wonderful print and video piece in NYT Magazine on Black Folk Musicians Reclaiming the Genre, how was that experience? What does a piece like this mean to you?
These pieces are very important to me a history in this music that is long overlooked yet at the same time highlight people today innovating and paving new sounds for the tradition of Black Folk Musicians.
 

Thank you to Tray connecting with Bluegrass Chicago! You can see the Tray Wellington Band LIVE at the Hideout on Thursday December 7th, TICKETS HERE

 

 

 

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