More than three decades after he picked up a guitar for the first time at age seven, Justin Trevino continues to live up to his name - not only his reputation for musical excellence, but also his first name, chosen by his father. Trevino's dad, Joaquin, was a hardcore country music fan. He named his son after his favorite songwriter and singer, Justin Tubb.

Perhaps his name alone sealed his fate that day in 1973 when he entered the world via Brownsville, Texas. But, Justin also had heaping helpings of both "nature" and "nurture" on his side. Besides being born with the capacity for singing and songwriting, Justin received plenty of nurturing from his parents. Even as a young boy, Justin was immersed in country music. His folks didn't believe in hiring babysitters, so when they went to the honky tonks, they had Justin in tow.

It wasn't long, though, before the young Trevino did begin to fully understand and appreciate country music on his own. By age 5 or 6, he'd already begun pestering his folks to buy him a guitar. When he was 7, they honored his request and arranged for him to take lessons. After three years of guitar lessons, he'd already become so proficient that he could learn and play new music "by ear." Singing began as a by-product. As Justin learned and played guitar chords, singing along was simply a way for him to give those chords a purpose. Although he is well respected today as a bass guitarist, most of Justin's followers are drawn to his singing - which he has developed without a single vocal lesson.