At 22 years old, Trent Mayo has a lot to be proud of and a lot to look forward to as a rising Country music artist and racecar driver. Never one to idle and let life pass him by, Trent strives to get the most out of everyday and every opportunity.   Chasing his dreams has brought about his charismatic and mischievous smile, with a love-of-the-chase attitude reminiscent of ole’ moonshine runners on the back roads of the Appalachian Mountains. A stranger to no one, he shares his passion for living with those around him. Trent carries just as big a grin on stage sharing his life through songs, as he does under the hood covered in grease or behind the wheel. To understand Trent as an artist, you’ve got to know who he is as a person, and the many roads that got him where he is today.

Born and raised in Stone Mountain, Georgia, Trent’s love for Country music grew like Kudzu at a young age. When he was six years old, Trent got his first guitar for Christmas and began taking lessons. He sang and played in school talent shows in Gwinnett County, and by the time he was nine, he was performing on street corners in downtown Nashville, TN during Fan Fair and collecting over $200 an hour in his guitar case. As Trent gained more experience, he took to the stage in sport bars and clubs around Nashville and Atlanta including Tootsies’ Orchid Lounge, the Nashville Palace, the Bluebird Café, Mama’s Country Showcase, and many more. Trent played the trumpet in concert band through middle school and high school and guitar in jazz band. He has also taught himself the banjo, mandolin, and fiddle all which he plays from time to time.  

Trent grew up loving cars and watching NASCAR races on television with his older brother. He jumped at the chance to live out his other dream of being a racecar driver when his mom got him his first racecar, a Bandolero, which raced in a series designed for kids, at age 11. From the first time he put the helmet on and strapped into the car, he knew the racing bug had bit him. Trent learned everything he could about the cars and how to work on and properly adjust them. He earned 12 wins, 19 second place finishes, and 14 3^rd place finishes during his 4 years in Bandolero cars and was the 2000 Lanier National Speedway Champion, but it was time to move up. In 2003, Trent raced a 1934 Ford Coupe in the Legends Car series, earning three wins, ten second place finishes, and 15 top five’s. From 2004 to 2007, he took another jump up the ranks in piloting the #13 Gibson Guitars Pontiac Grand Prix in the Aaron’s Pro Challenge Series earning several wins and crowned 2005 Music City Motorplex Champion in Nashville, TN.

Even with as busy as racing music kept Trent, he never let his academics waver.  He was in the Gifted program in Gwinnett Country public schools from kindergarten through high school with a 4.0 GPA. Knowing his dream and passions, Trent pushed himself and attended college full-time his junior and senior years of high school, which in turn allowed him to graduate with honors his Associate of Science degree from Georgia Perimeter College two weeks before graduating from Shiloh High School at the age of 18. That summer, he enrolled at Georgia Tech studying Mechanical Engineering. In 2008, he switched his major to Business Management to better learn and understand what it takes to start and operate a successful business after he decided to launch his own record label, Music Thunder Records, Inc.

Now, after knowing a little about Trent, where he came from, and how he got to where he is today, it can be seen why some have labeled him the “Renaissance Man” and the “Asphalt Cowboy.” After having so many great experiences and being blessed with a wonderful, supporting mom, family, and friends, Trent still sees himself as your average, everyday guy.

“I am a 21 year old college student who grew up with strong values, a touch of mischievousness, and a passion for experience and knowledge while working on/driving/racing fast cars, playing a rockin’ guitar, and chasing my dreams.  My music reflects who I am and the many roads that got me where I am today and the many roads that lay before me for tomorrow. “

Although Trent’s style of music blends traditional and modern country with rockin’ guitars and blues, his outlook toward life resembles most the likes of Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, Merle Haggard, and other “Outlaws” that paved their own way. There aren’t any molds for men like them, and the same holds true for Trent. He is getting closer and closer to reaching his dream of being a national Country music recording artist and top NASCAR driver with each day that passes; nothing can get in his way. The girls in the audience at his shows holler almost as loud as the lead guitars over his charm, smile, wink and a tilt of the hat. The guys there raise their glasses and sing along because they can relate to his Wrangler blue jeans (except the tighter ones for the ladies), camouflage hat, cowboy boots, strong work attitude and ethic, oil stains and grit nature. So watch out Georgia, one of your own is heading for the “Big Time” and is paving his own roads along the way.