Guided by faith and a deep love of music, Shafer attempted to kick-start a career, sometimes singing with musician friend Billy Falcon.
The son of Timothy and Janet Shafer, Troy was born on August 16, 1980, in Erie, Pennsylvania.
Having graduated from Harbor Creek High School in 1999, Shafer went on to graduate from the Penn State Behrend School of Business, and later moved down to Nashville.
However, he would soon embrace his true calling in the area.