Rising Country Talent Trey Pendley Signs With Leo33 & Make Wake Artists

Front (L to R): Meg Goggins (Leo33), Katie Dean (Leo33), Trey Pendley, Natalie Osborne (Leo33), Chris Fabiani (Leo33); Back: Dusty Cantrell (Leo33), Joseph Manzo (Leo33). Photo by: Nicole Murphy

Pendley's debut single with Leo33, "Drunk As Any Rich Man," is available now.

Leo33 is proud to announce the signing of Trey Pendley, a singer-songwriter whose music is steeped in the quiet wisdom and emotional grit of rural life. Known for his raw storytelling, powerful voice, and a sound rooted in country, folk, and Americana, Pendley brings a rare authenticity to every lyric and performance. In addition to joining Leo33’s esteemed artist roster, he joins Make Wake Artists for management.

Reflecting on the new partnerships, Pendley shared, “It’s wild to think that songs I wrote in the quiet corners of my life are now connecting with teams who truly believe in what I’m trying to say. With Leo33 and Make Wake, I’ve found a circle of people who value honesty, depth, and the long game. I feel like I’m exactly where I’m supposed to be.”

L to R: Make Wake’s Shelby Marvel and Trey Pendley; Not pictured: Make Wake’s Chris Kappy; Photo by: Nicole Murphy

Katie Dean, Label Head of Leo33, added, “Trey’s voice, both literal and lyrical, is undeniable. The first time we heard him, we knew we were witnessing something rare—an artist who doesn’t just write songs, but offers stories that stick with you. We’re thrilled to welcome Trey to the Leo33 family and can’t wait to support him as he continues to build something meaningful and lasting.” 

“From the moment I heard Trey Pendley sing, I knew he had something special. He brings so much heart, honesty, authenticity, and grit to everything he does—and he’s just getting started,” shares Shelby Marvel at Make Wake. “I’m so proud to officially welcome him to the Make Wake family and truly honored to be part of his journey.”

Today, Trey releases his first track with the label, titled “Drunk as Any Rich Man,” giving fans a taste of new music to come. The song blends his signature storytelling with a raw, soulful delivery — capturing the highs and heartaches of small-town living with honesty and grit. It's a bold introduction to the next chapter of Trey's sound.

Listen to "Drunk As Any Rich Man"

Artwork by Cheri C. Fry

Raised in the small town of Toad Suck, Arkansas, Pendley’s songwriting is shaped by lived experience — fatherhood, healing, and the generational stories that echo through rural America. His deeply personal lyrics and grounded presence have already begun resonating with fans and industry veterans alike, marking him as one of country music’s most compelling emerging voices.

With a debut project currently in development, Pendley is poised to carve a space for himself as a powerful new storyteller in country music. In a world that often rewards noise and flash, Trey Pendley stands out by being still, honest, and grounded. He’s not chasing trends. Instead, he’s building something enduring, rooted in story, family, and the kind of truth that travels farther than a hit single ever could.

The Official Lyric Video for Trey Pendley's "Drunk As Any Rich Man"

About Trey Pendley

Trey Pendley is a singer-songwriter whose music captures the emotional grit and quiet strength of rural life. Raised in the tiny town of Toad Suck, Arkansas—a place with no stoplights and a population under 300—Trey found inspiration in the simplicity and depth of his surroundings. With no internet at home, his world revolved around cassette tapes, vinyl records, and an old guitar passed down from his grandfather. Self-taught and steeped in a mix of outlaw country and heavy rock, Trey drew from artists like Merle Haggard, George Jones, and Motley Crüe to shape a sound that is both timeless and uniquely his own. A pivotal moment came when a songwriting retreat in Louisiana reconnected him to his creative roots and introduced him to his wife, Lexi — marking the beginning of a new chapter centered on love, storytelling, and purpose.

His breakout track, “Daddy’s Son,” went viral for its heartfelt tribute to fatherhood, resonating with millions online and introducing his powerful storytelling to a wider audience. Now based just outside of Nashville, Tennessee, Trey lives with his family on a stretch of land that mirrors the wide-open themes of his songs. His music sits at the crossroads of country, Americana, and folk, often exploring generational cycles, identity, healing, and fatherhood. With a voice that feels lived-in and lyrics that reflect hard-won truths, Trey Pendley isn’t interested in chasing trends. Instead, he crafts songs that resonate with authenticity and emotional clarity — music that honors where he’s from, who he’s become, and the stories that shape us all.