The War and Treaty Says 'More Women,' 'Black and Hispanic Artists' Need to Play on Country Radio (Exclusive)

“Everyone needs to try harder and show up and do their part,” Michael Trotter Jr. tells PEOPLE at the 2024 ACM Awards

• The War and Treaty were nominated at Thursday's ACM Awards for duo of the year

• Michael Trotter, Jr. said that while he and his wife Tanya "got a big ole standing ovation," their songs are not played on country radio

• "Everyone needs to try harder and show up and do their part, and that's why we're here," he explained

The War and Treaty are grateful to be recognized among the 2024 ACM Awards nominees, but the trailblazing pair wants to see the country music space embrace even more artists of color going forward.

On Thursday, May 16, the powerhouse husband-and-wife duo, Tanya and Michael Trotter Jr., hit the red carpet at the Ford Center at The Star in Frisco, Texas and spoke to PEOPLE about the buzz surrounding their rise to fame and recent accolades — which include two Grammy nods and an ACM Award nomination for duo of the year.

While doing so, Michael, 41, took a moment to call attention to the lack of inclusivity that still exists in the country music genre.

“I want to say something about that. I think that until we are all embraced, then no,” he said in response to being asked if the couple are feeling welcomed by the industry and country fans.

“It's very important to realize that until more women are played on the radio,” he continued, “until more Black and Hispanic artists are played on country music radio, or at least given a chance. I was talking to Brittney Spencer today, and [she] said, ‘Give me a chance to hear the 'no.' Give me a chance to hear that.’”

Related: How The War and Treaty's Michael Trotter Jr., an Iraq War Veteran, Came Full Circle on a USO Tour (Exclusive)

“You know, other guys, they get the chance to hear the no, and they go back to the drawing board — the men do,” Michael added. “But then it’s like, give me a chance to hear the no [too].”

The singer went on to say that while The War and Treaty “got a big ole standing ovation” at Country Radio Seminar — the three-day educational event  — for one of their songs, which he didn’t specify, “they won't play it on country music radio.”

“So I'm like, just give us a chance,” he said. “Give the country music fans a chance to say no, we don't like it, or yes, we love it.”

Check out PEOPLE's full ACM Awards coverage here.

The “Blank Page” artist concluded by saying of the country music space, “It's time to make more moves. You know, I can invite you into my home, but if I don't feed you and give you a drink, then I'm just checking the box,” he added. “So I just feel like we're in a big moment where everyone's trying. That's the big part. So everyone needs to try harder and show up and do their part, and that's why we're here.”

Earlier this year, The War and Treaty talked to PEOPLE about the range of their eclectic music and lyrics, with Michael saying, “We have a sound that can fit any moment of living.”

His wife, Tanya, 50, also emphasized how important it is for the couple’s marriage to stay central in everything they accomplish, especially when it comes to music.

“Being a solo artist and then getting in a duo — not just with an incredible genius of an artist but an incredible person that you’re married to — I think you learn what life is about,” she said. “And life is about the balance. Life is about partnership.”

Related: The War and Treaty Talk Marriage — and How 'Our Love' Paved Their Long Road to the Grammys (Exclusive)

This summer, the duo will open for The Rolling Stones at the SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles as part of the legendary rock band’s Hackney Diamonds tour. Tanya excitedly told PEOPLE that the pair “manifested the moment” when they were tapped as special musical guests.

“We wanted to play at the SoFi stadium,” she shared. “We were driving past California about a month ago, and I looked over, and I was like, ‘Wow, what is this place? I would love to play that.’ And not even five minutes later, we actually were out there celebrating Mavis [Staples], and we got to our dressing room, and our agent called us and was like, ‘Hey guys, how would you like to play SoFi Stadium with the Rolling Stones?’”

“So, I mean, it's a moment,” Tanya adds. “It's going to be fantastic.”

The 2024 Academy of Country Music Awards are streaming live on Prime Video from Ford Center at The Star in Texas.

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