Trent Mayo
Nashville, TN | Established. Jan 01, 1997 | INDIE
Music
Press
July 05, 2006
By Jeff Hensley
jhensley@news-daily.com
If graduating from Georgia Perimeter College in May of 2006 — two weeks before graduating from Shiloh High School — was the only great feat Stone Mountain resident Trent Mayo had accomplished in his young life, it would be enough to warrant a great amount of attention and praise.
While it is quite an accomplishment, it is only one on a long list of dreams this young man is already checking off his to-do list.
Along with being an accomplished singer/songwriter and Gibson guitarist, Mayo has established himself as one of Georgia’s top up-and-coming drivers in both Legends cars at Atlanta Motor Speedway’s Thursday Thunder Series and the Aaron’s Pro Challenge Series.
Mayo began his racing career at AMS in October of 1999, posting a second-place finish in the Bandolero Georgia Dirt Nationals.
“I was the happiest 11 year-old when I got behind the wheel of my first race car,” said Mayo. “I met my future crew-chief and teammate that day, Boots and Kyle Mitchell, and we’ve been together ever since.”
In his first full year driving Bandoleros in the Young Guns Division (2000), Mayo captured the eye of his primary sponsor Gibson Guitars, winning the Lanier National Speedway Championship and in 2003 the rising star won the AMS road course and took his first wins in a Legends car, posting victories in the Semi-Pro Division at AMS and the Young Lions Division at Senoia Speedway.
The 2004 season saw Mayo graduate from Legends cars to the Pro Challenge Series, where the rookie driver posted one win, three second-place finishes and 11 top-fives.
By the time 2005 rolled around Mayo was the Music City Motorplex Champion with fifth-place finishes in the Hickory Motor Speedway points and the Senoia Speedway points. He also finished eighth in the Aaron’s Pro Challenge Series. All this in only his second year of driving in the Pro Challenge Series.
But 2006 may be Mayo’s biggest year yet. After a whirlwind year where Mayo graduated from high school, grabbed an associate’s degree, considered MIT and Harvard before enrolling in classes at Georgia Tech, recorded one demo album and registering songs for another with Broadcast Music, Inc. (BMI) — Mayo has now been chosen as one of 50 drivers to compete in a reality show for a shot at a 2007 Busch Grand National Series ride.
Mayo, is currently ninth among the top-50 list of drivers vying for a shot to compete in the upcoming reality television show Drivin’ for a Livin’.
A panel chose 50 applicants and five wild cards from thousands of applications earlier this year to compete on the show and fans now have the chance to vote online at www.racinforalivin.com to decide the top-15 who will compete for a bundle of money and seven races on the Busch Grand National Series team.
“I read about Racin’ for a Livin’ on one of the racing websites I read daily,” said Mayo. “I thought it was the coolest idea, taking the format of a reality TV show and meshing it with the desire of 50 rookies wanting to race in NASCAR and letting fans of the sport decide who they wanted to see on the show.”
A veteran counsel of eight members, including counselors and drivers will then train the top-15 rookie drivers to compete against each other on the track and on the screen.
Among the veteran drivers training the rookies on the show will be Larry Foyt, Ward Burton, A.J. Foyt, Derrick Cope and Harry Gant.
In the show’s final episode, the counsel will narrow the drivers down to two, and fans will then choose the driver who will represent the show at the Busch Series level.
“During the 12 week competition, we will drive 50,000 laps,” said Mayo of the competition. “That’s the equivalent of 2 years of training at the Busch series level, and lots of exposure to NASCAR teams.”
A win at the Busch Series will mean even more money and a chance at a debut on the NASCAR Cup Series.
Mayo got a call from the show’s producer for an interview on a special day earlier this year.
“The producer of the show, Jerry VanDenHul, called and interviewed me over the phone on my birthday,” explained Mayo. “We talked so long that my ice-cream cake melted — needless-to-say, it was a very happy birthday when he told me that I had been selected as one of the top 50 drivers,” added Mayo.
The Shiloh High graduate may have an edge in the competition already, as he has competed against three of the possible contestants in previous races.
In 2003, Mayo raced against Michelle Teriault in the Legends series and he has since competed against Chrissy Wallace and Josh Adams in the Pro Challenge Series.
“All three drivers are great, and I look forward to racing with them on the TV show — assuming all of us are in the top 15 when the Internet voting ends on July 31,” said Mayo.
Falling right into line with Mayo’s varied personality, the multi-talented youth plans on doing much more than just racing on the show.
“I am writing and performing some of the songs for the TV program on a Gibson guitar that my sponsor is making for me for the show, (with lug nuts for knobs and a racing harness for the strap),” said Mayo, who began playing guitar at the tender age of 6 and now plays clubs and restaurants in Atlanta and Nashville
NOTES: Mayo, the only Georgia driver in the top 50, was in ninth place in the voting as of Monday, but voting doesn’t end until 1:00 PM EST, July 31. To cast your vote visit www.racinforalivin.com
- Clayton News Daily
Local ace tweaking his ride; tuning his six string as last 15 days of voting approach for reality show
July 18, 2006
By Jeff Hensley
jhensley@news-daily.com
Only 14 days remain in the Racin’ for a Livin’ voting and local phenom Trent Mayo, who got his start racing in the Bandolero series at Atlanta Motor Speedway’s Thursday Thunder summer racing series in 1999, is currently sitting in 14th place.
After sitting as high as sixth place in the voting for the national competition, Mayo has to feel a bit uncomfortable after sliding down to 14th — just two spots above the top-15 cut. To land a spot on the upcoming reality TV show, Mayo not only needs to linger upwards of the cut but avoid being one of the three drivers eliminated by a panel of veteran racers serving as judges and mentors for the 12-week competition.
The 12 rookie drivers who survive both the internet voting and veteran’s chopping block will then be submitted to 50,000 laps of driving stock cars on tracks all over America in a 12-week tour de force to determine who will earn seven races in a 2007 Busch Grand Nationals ride and a shot at Nextel Cup racing.
Drivers will not only be expected to perform on the track. Judges will also gauge the rookie’s abilities off-track by seeing how they deal with sponsors, communications with crew chiefs, racing teams and the media — and a mistake in any of the above could very likely eliminate them from the competition.
That’s where Mayo could just have a step up on the competition. Mayo is not only a proven amateur driver, but a skilled singer/songwriter who has already inked a recording contract and is guaranteed a spot on the show regardless of the voting. The Shiloh High graduate has already agreed to play his Gibson Custom Guitar on the sound track for the show.
Fusing his enthusiasm for music and stock car racing has been one of Mayo’s aspirations for quite some time. Mayo explains that his first guitar lesson almost never happened. His instructor, Rick Ware, initially refused to teach the 6-year old.
After one 30 minute lesson, Mayo’s obvious talent and willingness to learn convinced Ware his future pupil had the right stuff. Ware recommended to Mayo’s mother that she buy her son a good guitar, and Trent has been playing a Gibson every since.
And although Mayo’s hands were too small to fit around the neck of the guitar, Trent never gave up — and it has paid off.
Mayo has played shows from Atlanta to Nashville, coinciding with his racing travels, done a ton of recording (including a demo CD where he wrote all the music and played every instrument), signed a recording contract with BMI and landed a song or two on the Racin’ for a Livin’ soundtrack.
Along the way, Mayo has taught himself to play the mandolin, fiddle and banjo.
Just before the tragic death of Dale Earnhardt, Gibson Custom Guitars produced 333 guitars commemorating Earnhardt with sketches by renowned stock car artist Sam Bass. Mayo ended up with the No. 233 guitar and the rest is history. His passion for bringing together his music with stock car racing became known to Gibson Custom Guitars, and they have been the primary sponsor for his racing team, Music Thunder Racing, since 2000.
Mayo has been picking, grinning and burning rubber since then. He often sings or plays the National Anthem before jumping into his No. 13 Gibson car to compete.
Vote for Mayo and other driver by logging onto www.racinforalivin.com and choosing your favorite driver.
- Henry Daily Herald
March 29, 2006
One of the more unusual story lines among the top 50 rookies is Trent Mayo, the "Asphalt Cowboy." A native of Stone Mountain, Georgia Trent combines his love for racing with the talent and passion for country music too. What other race driver can say he has jammed with members of Lynard Skynard and the Red Hot Chili Peppers? In addition Trent is pursuing a degree in Mechanical Engineering. Did I mention he JUST turned eighteen? "I found out about making the top 50 on my birthday, I was so excited my ice cream cake melted," joked Mayo. Racing in the tough Aaron's Pro Challenge series has gotten him acclimated to many different tracks. "I had to start dead last at Bristol last year because we changed the alternator. I was able to finish 6th!" These three-quarter scale cars can reach top speeds to over 130mph at Bristol. This singing racer hopes to write a happy tune about his Racin for a Livin experience. - Stock Car Pit Pass
Discography
"Doin' Good Now - EP" - Debut Release on Music Thunder Records - September 2009
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Bio
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, youve 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, Trents 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 Caf, Mamas 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 3rd 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 fives. From 2004 to 2007, he took another jump up the ranks in piloting the #13 Gibson Guitars Pontiac Grand Prix in the Aarons Pro Challenge Series earning several wins and crowned 2005 Music City Motorplex Champion in Nashville, TN.
Even with as busy as racing and music kept Trent, he never let his academics waver. 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 Trents 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 arent 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.
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