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Devin Trout, a Delawarean born and raised, still lives in Dover, but has spent many sleepless nights on tour buses and planes. Trout has flown over the Swiss Alps, traveled to every major city in Australia and been snuck into Beirut in the dead of night. He has played backing guitar for some very big names—Rihanna and Nick Jonas even came to his bachelor party—but he tracks it all back to his church’s gospel group in Dover.
Who have you worked with?
I toured with Sam Smith and John Legend. Also, Jazmine Sullivan, who I’m getting ready to go back out on the road with. I’ve worked for a lot of local artists.
How did you get into gospel?
I was born and raised in church, so I’ve always been around the Christian and gospel music scene. I grew up wanting to play country. I haven’t gotten to do that yet, but I’m hoping I’ll get to land a couple of country acts.
You’ve spent a lot of time on tour. What is that experience like?
It’s kind of crazy. It’s a lot of fun, but everybody thinks that being on tour with a band or an artist is all sex, drugs and rock ’n’ roll. Really it’s all wake up and don’t miss your flight. But I get paid to see some of the coolest places on Earth.
What are some of your favorite places?
Switzerland was really cool. I’ve played in Dubai and Beirut. Beirut was a little scary, but it was fun. I loved Ireland, Scotland. I’ve been to Japan and the Philippines. The last tour I did with Sam Smith we actually toured all of Australia, hitting all the major cities there.
Why was Beirut scary?
It was a government-funded concert [with John Legend], and people weren’t fond of the government there. They flew us in under the cover of night into an airport they had shut down. They smuggled us into our cars and into the hotel. They told us, “don’t leave the hotel under any circumstances.” We performed in a big venue on the water. The show was for government officials.
How did these opportunities arise?
I had a good friend who was a music director who worked with Snoop Dogg, Wiz Khalifa, etc. And he said, “My girlfriend is doing a taping and she needs a guitar player.” So I did some acoustic stuff with her. A couple weeks later, I got a call from Adam Blackstone, a very big music director. He said, “I have this artist, Jazmine Sullivan. She’s getting ready to go back on tour, and I’ve heard that you’re the guy.” I was on the road with her for two years, and we opened for Sam Smith in Detroit. I got the gig with John Legend through Jazmine’s backup singer. So we’re in Italy, and it’s right after Sam and John have that song come out, “Lay Me Down.” They did a co-headline that night and Sam says, “I remember you from Detroit.” He asks me what I’m doing for the rest of the year. I was able to spend nine months on tour with Sam.
Any good celebrity stories?
Uh, that I can tell you? [Laughs] Right before I got married I was playing in Hollywood with Sam and he asked, “Have you had a bachelor party yet?” And I was like, “No, I haven’t been home.” And he goes, “Well, we have to throw you a bachelor party.” He rented out the roof of this hotel and we just hung out. He invited Nick Jonas and Rihanna to my bachelor party. Coolest bachelor party ever.