How a former Sam Houston State standout turned adversity into an entertainment empire that blends celebration with mental-health advocacy
Trey Diller’s story is one of transformation, taking the grit of a collegiate athlete, the heartbreak of personal loss, and the resilience born from tragedy to craft a flourishing career curating unforgettable experiences across Texas.
From Gridiron Glory to Life’s Crucible
A former wide receiver and punt returner for Sam Houston State, Diller helped lead the Bearkats to back-to-back FCS national championship games, placing among the top receivers in the division. He briefly signed with the Carolina Panthers in 2013 and later the Arena Football League’s New Orleans VooDoo before recurring injuries cut short his football dream.
Tragedy followed, he lost his brother in 2014, then endured a catastrophic car accident in July 2017, which resulted in severe brain injuries, claimed a close friend’s life, and necessitated ten months of rehabilitation. It was in those uncertain days that a powerful mantra anchored him: “Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, today is a gift.”
The Rise of Inspire Productions
In 2017, alongside college roommate Mike Niam, Trey co-founded Inspire Productions, an events company borne of his innate ability to entertain and connect people. What began as a high-profile Super Bowl party for Ray Lewis soon evolved into over 25 large-scale festivals and numerous corporate and family events.
Inspire Productions distinguishes itself through meticulous creativity, from “Beyond the Pines” with headliner Aaron Watson to annual Texas-themed festivals featuring food trucks, live music, and family-friendly activities. Trey emphasizes teamwork as essential, likening event logistics to plays on the field, success depends on the right roster and adaptability under pressure.
Big As Texas: Where Celebration Meets Impact
In May 2024, Trey launched the Big As Texas Music & Food Festival on the Montgomery County Fairgrounds, envisioned as “a festival in the truest sense”, blending country and Americana music, carnival rides, pig races, equestrian shows, artisan vendors, and diverse food from over 20 local vendors.
Headliners ranged from Thomas Rhett and Dierks Bentley to Dwight Yoakam and Billy Strings, with multiple stages spanning more than 26 hours of live performances . The event drew over 20,000 attendees per day, took place across 15+ acres, and even included on-site glamping, RV sites, and VIP lounges.
A Festival with Heart
Crucially, Trey embedded a mission: mental-health awareness and suicide prevention. With 40 nonprofit partners on-site, and 10% of ticket proceeds donated back to community organizations, the festival reframed large-scale entertainment as an opportunity to heal.
“It was time we did something to make suicide more prevalent than it is,” Trey said, especially relevant in Montgomery County, which he notes has one of the highest suicide rates per capita in the nation.
What’s Next
Following the success of the inaugural event, plans are already underway for the 2025 edition of Big As Texas, slated for June. Trey’s vision remains clear: combining big-hearted entertainment with meaningful impact, uniting communities through shared moments and shared purpose.
Why Trey Diller’s Journey Matters
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Resilience Personified: He turned personal tragedy into the fuel to inspire and uplift others.
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Entrepreneurial Creativity: He scaled from hosting parties to producing multi-stage festivals with artisan vendors and immersive experiences.
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Community-Centric Mission: Each event gives back, through charity partnerships, free access for youth, teachers, first responders, and places mental health at the center.
In Summary
Trey Diller proves that life’s setbacks can propel meaningful impact if met with courage and creativity. From athlete to accident survivor to festival architect, he crafts spaces where communities gather, celebrate, and support one another. His continued journey promises larger events, deeper outreach, and a legacy built on both fun and compassion.
