Trey Lewis began his battle with drugs and alcohol at the age of 13. Just six years later, at the age of 19, the fast-rising country star entered his first rehab facility — where he started to develop a passion for country music — and now he is gearing up for his biggest year yet.
Lewis told Music Mayhem that he will celebrate his 17th year of sobriety, as well as release tons of new tunes, in 2024. See below for all of the details surrounding the “Dicked Down in Dallas” singer’s sobriety journey — including what advice he would give to those struggling with addiction — as well as what the future has in store for him musically.
Trey Lewis says “Country Music Saved My Life”
On numerous occasions, the Alabama native has mentioned that during his battle with drugs and alcohol, country music helped him escape such a dark place. Not only did country music help him get sober, but it also has helped him stay sober, something that is truly invaluable to Lewis in his day-to-day life.
As mentioned, Lewis elaborated the sensitive situation in an exclusive interview with Music Mayhem. “Towards the end of my drinking days, it seemed like every time I got drunk, I ended up in jail or some sort of asylum. It really wasn’t fun anymore, but I couldn’t stop doing it. I went to treatment and was there for two weeks, then I lived in a halfway house for six months and was going to meetings,” he prefaced, before diving into the details.
The talented singer/songwriter continued, “I always say country music saved my life, but what I got from those fellowships prepared me for everything ahead. I still go to meetings, and it still helps me out. I picked up playing guitar when I was about six months sober. I feel like I got sober and got right with God. In return, he said, ‘Alright, well, here’s your gift. Go use it and share it with people,’ and that’s what I’ve been doing.”
16 Years And Counting Sobriety Journey
Lewis has undoubtedly been sharing his gift from God with country music lovers from coast to coast, amassing over a million monthly streams on Spotify. Not only has he achieved a great deal of success within his career — with even more success on the horizon — but he also believes as though “sobriety has changed the road map for where his life was headed,” which was definitely on a downward trajectory.
The rising country star continued, “It’s crazy to think I’m on my second decade of being sober… If I didn’t get sober, I’d be dead or in prison. I buried a lot of friends throughout the years. I’d certainly rather be the ‘Dicked Down in Dallas’ guy than the ‘Dicked Down in Prison’ guy.”
Advice To Those Struggling With Addiction
After detailing the trials and tribulations of his sobriety journey, Lewis offered advice to those struggling with addiction, based on both personal experience, as well as what he witnessed from his peers.
“If you really want to do it, then you have to ask for help,” he prefaced, before diving into the details. “It’s hard to ask for help, but there are so many avenues, there are so many treatment centers out there and places that you can go get help and just be willing to look at the similarities and not the differences and realize that you don’t have to have all the answers.”
“You might have to throw several lifelong conceptions out the window to get your sobriety. But in the end, it’s all worth it,” the country crooner concluded passionately.
Trey lewis is More Than The “Dicked Down In Dallas” Guy
With his sobriety journey aside, the budding country star detailed his musical journey as well, admitting that although his 2020 hit titled “Dicked Down in Dallas” has amassed a whopping 133 million streams on Spotify alone, there is more to him as an artist than that single song.
He explained to Music Mayhem, “I’m going to keep putting out music that is authentically me and try and convert the ‘Dicked Down in Dallas’ fans to Trey Lewis fan… It took me 10 years to even get a song that people would really listen to on repeat. It took me 12 years to get to the point I’m at now, so I’m just going to keep working and putting out music until we catch up to the song.”
After admitting that he will “always embrace that side of him,” Lewis admitted that there are tons of new tunes on the horizon that will give country music lovers a look into who he really is, rather than simply a toe-tapping track that is played at the nearest bar or honky-tonk.
Trey Lewis To Release New Album Troublemaker In March
Releasing more vulnerable songs like “Up Yours,” “Always You,” “Mine Never Could,” and “Pretty Hungover” in late 2023 and early 2024, Lewis is gearing up to release his second studio album titled Troublemaker, which will feature 14 songs that detail the different chapters of his life.
“I can’t say thank you enough for being in the trenches with me, fighting to get to this point. I’m really excited for people to continue to hear the music that I’ve been pouring myself into. I think there is a little something for everyone on there,” he explained, before sharing what this record will entail exactly.
Lewis continued, “It’s not just my music, it’s how I live my life. I’m kind of a tell-all person. I wear my heart on my sleeve, and that’s just how I am. A lot of the artists I look up to are like that. I think we get something from creating music that we can’t get anywhere else, so why not just be real?”
For updates leading up to the release of Troublemaker, country music lovers can connect with Trey Lewis on Instagram at @treylewismusic. Until then, fans can listen to “Up Yours,” “Always You,” “Mine Never Could,” and “Pretty Hungover” on their favorite music streaming service as well.
