Ferocious Flatpicking Meets Soulful Grit: Trey Hensley’s “Can’t Outrun The Blues” is a Roots Music Masterclass
By Christian Lamitschka for Country Music News International Magazine
Trey Hensley, the two-time IBMA Guitar Player of the Year and Grammy-winning Tennessee native, has long cemented his status as a technical phenomenon in roots music. With his powerful new solo single, “Can’t Outrun The Blues” (Pinecastle Records), Hensley proves that his formidable flatpicking is matched only by his depth as a songwriter and vocalist. The track, which he co-wrote with Bobby Starnes, is a masterful four-and-a-half-minute excavation of classic country, blues, and bluegrass traditions, produced live in the studio by seven-time Grammy winner Brent Maher (The Judds, Merle Haggard).
The Artist: Nashville’s Hottest Young Player
Hensley’s journey began early in East Tennessee, making his Grand Ole Opry debut at age 11 alongside legends like Marty Stuart and Earl Scruggs. His musical canvas is wide, drawing from the fiery dexterity of bluegrass icons like Tony Rice and Charlie Waller, the electric flair of James Burton and Marty Stuart, and the soulful vocals of classic country artists like Merle Haggard. For years, he has been recognized globally as half of the celebrated duo with dobro master Rob Ickes, defying genre constraints by melding bluegrass, blues, and Americana. “Can’t Outrun The Blues” is the lead single from his highly anticipated 2026 full-length album, staking a bold claim for his solo artistry.
Single Review: “Can’t Outrun The Blues” (4:48)
From the first few seconds, “Can’t Outrun The Blues” grips the listener with an undeniable energy. It opens with Hensley’s signature acoustic guitar: a clean, rapid-fire flatpicking riff that sets a pace bordering on reckless. The urgency of the instrumentation perfectly complements the lyrical theme: the futility of escaping personal darkness.
Lyrically, the song is a classic, relatable tale of regret and the cyclical nature of sadness, delivered with a baritone voice that possesses a vintage country richness akin to George Jones or Haggard, yet imbued with a contemporary, blues-drenched soul. Hensley sings, “You can change the highway, but you can’t change the drive / That old pain is ridin’ shotgun, trying to keep me alive.”
The production is a major strength. Recorded live with a dream team of session players including Stuart Duncan (fiddle, mandolin), Marc Rogers (bass), and John Alvey (drums), the track feels organic and vital. The instrumental break is the centerpiece: a breathtaking display of Hensley’s virtuosity. His flatpicking solo is white-hot, precise, and incredibly melodic, maintaining the emotional core of the song even at lightning speed. It’s an explicit reminder of why he’s considered one of Nashville’s most technically proficient guitarists. The subtle, yet powerful, contributions from Duncan’s fiddle weave through the acoustic fury, grounding the track firmly in the bluegrass-country realm.
The song ultimately sits at the crossroads of hard-hitting bluegrass delivery and classic country subject matter. It’s a statement track that honors the roots while showcasing an artist at the peak of his instrumental and vocal powers. “Can’t Outrun The Blues” isn’t just a great guitar song; it’s a profound, road-weary roots anthem that announces Trey Hensley as a major solo force.
The Verdict
This single is essential listening for anyone who appreciates guitar mastery or deeply authentic roots music. It is a powerful fusion that respects the past while ensuring the traditional sound remains vibrant and ferociously alive in the modern era. The excitement for Hensley’s forthcoming album has just been ratcheted up considerably.