INDIO, Calif. — About an hour after the War and Treaty burned down April's Stagecoach Festival with a scorching rendition of "The Star-Spangled Banner," the married country duo's Michael Trotter Jr. and Tanya Trotter are cooling down in an air-conditioned trailer as they ponder a question: Who sang the greatest national anthem of all time?

"To me, it has to be Whitney Houston," Tanya says, to which Michael nods in agreement. "There's a Mount Rushmore, though," he adds. "No. 2, Chris Stapleton. No. 3 — this is debatable — I think Jennifer Hudson." He runs a comb through his hair as he considers a fourth. "Kelly Clarkson does a really good job. Beyoncé does a great job."

No room for Marvin Gaye, who performed a famously sultry interpretation at 1983's NBA All-Star Game? Michael crinkles up his face.

"Oh, that's the worst version," he says.

"We should not go on the record saying that," Tanya advises.

Michael: "I'm not afraid. I'll go on the record."

Tanya: "Here we go."

Michael: "Listen, I don't want to f— to the national anthem."

Tanya: "Oh, Lord."

"I want to think of the service and of war and how me and my battle buddies fought for freedom," says Michael, who began writing songs as an Army soldier stationed in Baghdad during the Iraq war. "So, Marvin Gaye — I just don't like it." He grins. "But that's OK. If Tanya wants to do it to his version, hell, yeah — let's do it. Now, it's the best version ever."

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