Life & Work with Trenton Manning

Today we’d like to introduce you to Trenton Manning.

Hi Trenton, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstories.
Music has always run in my family as far back as I can remember. My brother, Matt introduced me to acts like Jimi Hendrix, The Who, Led Zeppelin, and Smash Mouth when I was about 5 or 6. Not too long after that, my Grandmother bought me a harmonica and I started sitting in and jamming with a blues band called Joe Washrag and The Cosmic Spatulas (they go by Slick Jr. and The Reactors now). My Uncle played drums for them, so that’s how I got to meet them. Everyone in the band was also a friend of the family, they’d known each other for such a long time. My Mom and Dad had a lot of friends that played.

My brother started learning bass when he was 18 (I was 7 at the time). Matt’s friends in our hometown and his friends in college were very good players as well! I played Classical trombone in the middle school band and I became a good sight reader but I didn’t enjoy playing trombone as much as I enjoyed playing guitar and drums, so I put it down for a long time (I picked it back up several years later). As time went by, my brother started getting more gigs, so it just made me want to practice more and try harder. I became jealous, I was about 13 at the time. Every day, I practiced the guitar for several hours and both of us started learning how to play multiple different instruments. Music was a big connection that brought us closer together as siblings.

When I was a freshman in high school, I met my great friend, Raymond Surratt. We immediately clicked and shared a lot in common, so we started making music with each other. Ray and I played in many different bands! We played in Metal groups, Bluegrass/Folk acts, Rock, Blues, and Country bands. We even wrote songs together. We were there for each other during hard times. We really helped each other grow, not just as musicians but overall as individuals. Eventually, Matt, Raymond, and I started playing together and recording. The three of us were getting asked to play with so many people.

I began taking Classical and Jazz guitar lessons right as I was about to turn 19. I also started learning how to read treble clef back then. I never went to college for music. As I continued to practice different techniques and hone my craft, I began to save up and prepare myself for the big move. I was ready to leave Martinsville, Virginia when I turned 21. I wanted to be closer to my friends and bandmates in One In A Row (go check them out, they also have an E.P. on the way) but I was also just ready for change. I was also humbled when moving to Nashville.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Not too long after I moved here, I got scammed, thinking I had a new place to live, so I couldn’t reverse my notice when leaving my apartment. I had a co-worker who was gracious enough to let me sleep on her couch until I found a good place to live. I’ve also learned to be careful about whom I work with. Drug and alcohol addiction was another thing I struggled with but after watching what happened to one of my closest friends, I knew from there on that I had to be my own drill sergeant.

I decided to settle down, go sober, and buy a house during the pandemic. I’ve definitely had a few points where I had to learn how to really save money when gigs are slim as well but I’ve made my way through some difficult times. For the most part, it has been a smooth road! Meditation is one thing that has really helped me find a good balance in life. It’s been a very humbling experience and the Nashville/Clarksville area has been good to me!

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am best known as a multi-instrumentalist and I perform as a side-man but I enjoy performing and writing my own music as well! I play anything from folk instruments to Middle-Eastern instruments to drums and percussion.

I think the aspect of being a versatile utility musician is the thing that separates me from other performers. It also opens other doors for me to get more work as a musician. I can cover any style of the instruments that I play! I also enjoy arranging!

Can you talk to us a bit about happiness and what makes you happy?
Creating art pieces, playing other peoples’ music, and writing songs is the thing that makes me happy! It’s therapy to me and it’s the only thing that motivates me to get out of bed. I don’t know where I would be without it. It’s also one of the many things that keeps me physically active. I like to be very productive!

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_leetrent/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LeeTrentOfficial
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCw7dOhoW-i6VJASaU-VVPzA
• SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/trenton-manning-388151073

Image Credits
Duncan Hammons