Trevor Renteria, Independent Singer-Songwriter

So nice to meet you! First off, what’s your name? Tell our readers a bit about yourself—where you’re from originally and where you live now.

Hello, my name is Trevor Renteria and I’m an independent singer/songwriter from Dallas, TX. I was born in Oklahoma City, OK, but when I was 5 years old my family and I moved to San Antonio, TX, where I spent most of my childhood and early adulthood. In 2013 my family decided to move up to the Dallas/Fort Worth area, to the suburb of Garland, TX, and so I shortly followed them up to the DFW and have been here ever since.

Tell us one thing you love about where you live now.

I love that Dallas gives me the best of both worlds. I get to experience so many different cultures, lifestyles, and forms of entertainment while still enjoying that big-city atmosphere, but living in Plano, just north of Dallas, gives me a little more of that suburban, almost rural feel that I really enjoy.

One thing I especially love about living in the DFW area is the music scene. There are so many venues and such a wide variety of artists and genres throughout the Metroplex. Deep Ellum, right in the heart of Dallas, has always been one of my favorite places for live music. I also love seeing how much the grunge and alternative rock scene has grown in Denton. It’s developed into such a cool music community that extends well beyond the University of North Texas campus. There’s always something happening musically around here, and I love that there’s room for so many different sounds and creative communities.

Tell us a little more about what your company does and how it started. How does it help your customers?

Well, my company is my music career, so basically, “Trevor Renteria” is the artist that has been evolving since I was a young child. However, I must say that I began professionally pursuing music in late 2022, when I officially released my music to all the mainstream streaming platforms and started performing live at shows across the DFW metro area.

My passion for music stems from my grandparents, both of whom are musicians and singers. My mother still plays the keys with me for gigs and at the studio for my record as well. I grew up in church and was heavily involved in the music throughout all of my childhood. In 5th grade, I started playing the violin, and then quickly switched to the cello in 6th grade. During high school, I was in the All-Region Orchestra my freshman year.

When I was 15 (a sophomore in high school), my dad started taking a classical guitar class at UTSA, so I began learning along with him. Whenever I wanted to expand beyond the classical realm and delve into popular or Christian music, I heavily relied on YouTube to learn how to play various chords and strumming patterns. I also started learning the piano during my junior year of high school.

This deep-rooted passion for music is evident in my music today, lyrically, musically, emotionally, and spiritually.

If someone wants to start a business, what advice would you give them?

Be prepared to receive a plethora of opinions and unsolicited advice on how to run or start your business. To gain a well-rounded perspective, you must cultivate a core group of individuals spanning personal, business, and family relationships. These people will provide you with a balanced view of the business process and help you navigate challenges without succumbing to delusions or emotional turmoil. They will serve as your grounding force, keeping you focused on your path to success. Additionally, establish a clear vision and set achievable deadlines to prevent yourself from getting bogged down in a failed business venture after a decade. Stay motivated and resist the negativity of naysayers. I’m only now beginning to witness some success in 2026, almost three and a half years into my journey. Remember, hard work and perseverance are essential to reaping the rewards of your efforts.

What is one piece of feedback from a happy customer or client that you won't forget?

Working alongside The Wolf House Austin, located at 1602 E Cesar Chavez St. in Austin, TX, has been an incredibly fulfilling and inspiring experience. They actively support local and emerging artists by helping them refine their business and networking skills. Additionally, they provide a platform for these artists through their podcast, “Attic Talk,” and the various stages at the Wolf House, which is a restored and renovated 19th-century mansion that serves as an amazing event space for all kinds of entertainment and events. Performing for a charity event during the SXSW festival in March 2026 was a transformative experience. I gained significant exposure and a newfound confidence as a performer. The Wolf House has been nothing but supportive and completely satisfied with our collaboration.

Where do you see your company in the future?

I see myself with my music in film and television soon! I want to expand my music to sync libraries and catalogs to be able to share my songs’ messages visually and sonically through the magic of film.

What is the biggest misconception about your industry?

That everyone in the music industry is solely focused on their own gain and what they can extract from others. However, at least in my local area, Texas and Oklahoma, the industry has been incredibly supportive and almost like a family. There’s definitely camaraderie among fellow artists and musicians. Just be very selective about who you share your next big project with, as that can significantly impact its success. Keep your cards close, but maintain an open mind and a generous heart towards fellow creatives.

What has been one of your biggest struggles building your business, and how did you deal with it?

Funding my album and studio sessions was the most challenging part initially, as I struggled to gain momentum. However, now that I’m consistently performing and traveling for gigs, I’ve managed to budget out my expenses throughout the year. I simply focused on gigging relentlessly until I was able to complete my first album, titled “Only The Beginning.” It took me a full two years to secure the funding for the studio time required for its production. Prior to the release of my album, all my music and releases were self-recorded, self-produced, and self-released and marketed.

Who was your favorite music artist and athlete growing up?

Growing up, my favorite music artist was and still is Adele. I draw a lot of inspiration from her raw lyrics and her ability to be vulnerable with her listeners. My favorite athlete was Tim Duncan from the San Antonio Spurs. He even came to my kindergarten graduation from Jackson Keller Elementary, and ever since then, I’ve been a huge fan of his. He was always helping his teammates with assists both on and off the court, and I really admired his character.

Any shoutouts you want to make?

I want to express my deepest gratitude to my mom for her unwavering support and guidance. Without her, I wouldn’t be able to pursue my musical journey alone. She has been a constant presence in my life, performing countless shows alongside me and contributing to the majority of my released songs.

One of my most recent releases, “Legacy (Ft. Carlene Smith),” was a heartfelt ballad dedicated to my grandfather, Benny Brown, and my former drummer, Larry Chumley. They both played a significant role in shaping my music before they passed away in early 2024. My mom accompanied me on this emotional journey, providing a soulful accompaniment that truly captured the essence of the song.

I also want to acknowledge my dad, who has been our impromptu sound engineer and roadie for the past four years. He has taken the initiative to study and learn the basics of sound engineering and mixing, enabling him to effectively manage my shows.

Armando, my partner and the grounding force in my life, has been my financial advisor, accountant, and investor since the beginning. He has never been a naysayer of my dreams and has consistently provided me with constructive feedback and valuable advice. I am truly blessed to have someone who genuinely believes in me.

Lastly, I want to express my gratitude to my best friend, Delle Barclay. She has been a beacon of light in my life for the past two years, both professionally and personally. We collaborated on the remix of my song “Always Been You (Remix),” and it has turned out to be an incredibly beautiful piece. Her harmonious vocals and thoughtful lyrics perfectly complement the song, and I am incredibly proud to have her on board.

We were both going through similar life stages at the time, and she was the friend I needed during that period. I am truly grateful for her friendship and the support she has provided me. I eagerly await the release of her new single, “I Still Do,” which I wrote and composed for her. Additionally, we’re excited to share our official music video for “Always Been You (Remix).”

In addition to these projects, we have also been working on another duet called “Little Things (Feel So Big).” I am excited about the progress we are making and can’t wait to share it with the world.