They opened for Kelly Clarkson in June. Now they are touring all over the United States -- from Minneapolis to Chicago to Kansas City and more.

They are: Truman.

Or as I like to spell it, Truemen.

I’m sure they get that cliché all the time. But listen to their music and what they have to say, and I think you’ll agree -- these are the kind of musicians and role models the world needs more of.

Truman is a sibling duo -- two brothers from Nashville, Tennessee, Ben and Chad Truman. You may know their dad, Dan Truman, who is the keyboard player in the award-winning country band Diamond Rio.

I’ve had the opportunity to perform with Truman and they consistently put on a great show. Their music is catchy, meaningful, and extremely refreshing. Their main influences are Stevie Wonder and John Mayer. I have been a fan of their music since I heard them play a couple years ago while eating lunch in the Wilkinson Center at BYU. Chad has since served a mission in Colorado and returned to join Ben, who was busy writing songs during those two years. Truman is back and better than ever.

One difference between Truman and many other bands is that they don’t let their talent or success go to their heads.

“No one is a hotshot,” Chad Truman said. “I’m not a hotshot and neither are celebrities. They are all real people. I will never freak out because I see a celebrity -- unless it’s Stevie Wonder (we’re all allowed one, right?). Yet I know that it takes incredible amounts of hard work to become and stay a ‘star.’ I respect hard work a lot.”

“In anything in life, God rewards hard, smart work,” Chad continued.

And Truman has been hard at work. In June 2009, they released their debut album, “Hold On to Love,” which they recorded primarily in Nashville. Since then, they have been promoting it and performing all over the country.

What keeps them going in a challenging but rewarding industry?

Ben Truman said, “For me there is no greater desire than to have my songs heard by the world. The prospect of making that dream a reality keeps me working hard day-in and day-out. There's no greater compliment someone can give me than to say, ‘I love your song.’”

Chad continued, “Our faith changes everything. What keeps me going is the fact that we believe in our songs, sound, and vibe. This world needs more positive role models and if we can be that, even in some small way, we'll do all we can to get there.”

Ben and Chad Truman are definitely on their way with their talent, hard work, and faith.

Be sure to catch them in concert Sept. 28 at the Covey Center for the Arts with Kendra Lowe, David Osmond, and Mindy Gledhill, or at the Tahitian Noni on Sept. 29. Go here to listen to their music and for more information about upcoming concerts: http://www.myspace.com/trumanboys


Nicole Sheahan is a singer/songwriter and is studying media music at Brigham Young University. E-mail: nicolesheahan9@gmail.com