Born and raised in Mississippi, Trent Harmon grew up with a foot in two worlds: the rustic simplicity of farm life and the rich musical tradition of the church. His childhood was a classic Southern story—raising cattle, working at his family’s longtime steakhouse, and singing wherever there was a mic - whether at Sunday service or in front of a club crowd. Music was always part of the backdrop, but it was in those small, informal moments that his voice began to shine.

College wasn’t in the cards—or so he thought. But a small choir scholarship lured him to the University of Arkansas at Monticello. What started as a reluctant step turned into a pivotal chapter. He quickly became a standout vocalist on campus, eventually leading worship at the college church every Thursday night for nearly five years. Drawing a large group of students each week, the impact on Harmon was unmistakable. “I saw more come from leading worship in college than I did on any stage afterward,” he reflects.

After graduation, he drifted through what he calls the “awkward years”—bouncing between Nashville gigs and self-doubt. Armed with a history degree he thought would launch a teaching career, he found doors shut and dreams stalled. Instead, he drifted into a classic artist’s grind, filled with late-night writer’s rounds and bar gigs, struggling to find his place.

That changed in 2016, when his voice caught fire on longstanding ABC hit series American Idol. He won his season, launching him into the country spotlight. He landed a record deal with Big Machine Label Group, major tours with Rascal Flatts and Dan + Shay, and got his first hit single, “There’s A Girl,” which took off in 2017. But the success was complicated. “I was losing my mind. Everything I did and had to do revolved around radio spins. My day-to-day had strayed so far from the art and purpose behind it,” he says candidly. Despite the commercial milestones, Harmon often found himself pulled back to the church roots that first gave his voice meaning.

In 2018, he asked out of his record deal to focus on songwriting. During that time, he penned multiple hits—two of which topped charts in Canada—and found new joy in writing from the heart rather than for the radio. He got married in 2020 and welcomed his daughter, Dolly, in 2023. Life slowed down. Priorities shifted.

Through it all, worship kept calling him back, and Harmon couldn’t shake the feeling that he was meant for something more. “I’ve reached thousands through Idol and touring, but every time I led worship, I felt fulfillment I never found on a country stage.”

Now giving in to what he’s long been called to do, Harmon’s taking ownership of his purpose, releasing his first Christian project, Scars & Sins, out May 30. The six song EP includes sentimental, feel good tunes like “Make Her Laugh,” as well as more worship driven songs like “I See Your Face.” It’s a welcome shift, and one that has led to peace and a new sense of creative drive for Harmon. 

“I love the journey I’ve had, and I wouldn’t change a thing. But this new path feels right, feels destined. This is what my soul’s been put here to do.”