Tyler Childers’ 2017 album Purgatory brought him into country stardom and earned him widespread acclaim from fans and critics alike.
Childers is revered by his fans as an effective antidote to what passes for country music on modern radio, finding solace in his emotive songs of rural Appalachia.
What is Tyler Childers’ sound?
Childers is inspired by his home state of Kentucky and its surrounding region when writing music that captures life in Appalachia with raw, honest vocals that convey hardships and heartache that come with living there, along with tales of lost love. Childers is part of a new wave of country music which is more socially aware than ever; his music covers topics like police brutality and LGBTQ rights; his latest single, “In Your Love,” tells the tale of two gay coal miners in Appalachia.
Childers wrote the tune over a decade ago, yet it remains one of his most-sung tunes today. It features Colton Haynes and James Scully who both identify as gay; its music video captures its emotive lyrics perfectly and should be watched by any Tyler Childers fan!
Childers has been creating music for years, but 2019 marked his musical breakthrough when he signed with RCA Records and released Country Squire, his debut album with them. “All Your’n” hit #1 on country charts and earned Childers his first Grammy nomination in 2019. Additionally, Childers made an appearance on NPR’s World Cafe which provided another boost for his career.
Childers’ career took off following the release of Country Squire. His second album, Purgatory, became an instantaneous hit on country charts and earned him his inaugural Emerging Artist of the Year award from Americana Honors & Awards. Childers has opened for numerous well-known artists like Margo Price and Sturgill Simpson.
Childers is also an enthusiastic activist for Appalachia’s rights. He has led anti-fracking protests, spoken out against opioid use epidemic and collaborated with Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear to pass a bill which helps coal workers find jobs. Childers also supports LGBTQ community through his song “Jersey Giant”. All in all, Childers is an inspiring artist with an exciting future ahead of him.
How did he get started?
Childers was born into a coal mining and country music family in Lawrence County, Kentucky. While playing guitar and singing at church services as a youth, he relocated to Paintsville after high school to pursue his dreams of becoming a musician. While attending Western Kentucky University and Bluegrass Community and Technical College for some semesters before dropping out and working odd jobs instead to focus on his music career.
Childers began performing around Kentucky with his band, the Food Stamps, and quickly built a following. In 2011, Childers released his debut album Bottles and Bibles which showcased his storytelling ability and soulful drawl. Soon thereafter he started touring and building his fan base across Kentucky and West Virginia; Miles Miller from Sturgill Simpson’s drumming unit played an instrumental role in helping Childers join Simpson’s Sailor’s Guide tour and record Purgatory there in Nashville.
Childers began touring and expanding his fan base following the release of Purgatory in 2016. Additionally, he created his own record label Hickman Holler Records to promote his music. In 2019, Childers released Country Squire, which proved an immense success – landing him a spot on Billboard charts and opening doors to headline his first arena tour in 2024.
Childers has released numerous singles in addition to his albums; “In Your Love” became one of his most well-received tracks and made its way all the way up the country charts – it hit No. 1. This song spoke directly to its target audience and proved extremely successful in garnering fans.
Childers has made his mark in country music thanks to his distinct style and unapologetic authenticity in his approach. His fans appreciate his left-of-center country sound and unabashed authenticity, which are hallmarks of success for any performer. With Rustin in the Rain being his sixth album release he continues his growth of popularity with each successive listener.
How did he become a country star?
Childers was raised under the auspices of his Free Will Baptist church, learning guitar chords from his grandfather before singing for congregation. While honing his craft at odd jobs such as landscaping or working at local mills, music always remained at the core. After taking a risk with 2017’s Purgatory release – making a name for himself among outlaw revivalists such as Chris Stapleton and Sturgill Simpson both from Kentucky–Purgatory became his breakthrough album that catapulted Childers onto mainstream roots music scene.
Childers used his album to paint an intimate portrait of those he knew, adding depth and humanity to mainstream country stars’ charts. He sang about one person he knew who frequented a pinball spot: his favorite game was one where “you don’t get hit by balls”, earning him the name “Old Man.” Childers sang of friends’ struggles making ends meet in coal mines as well as daughter wanting to marry black woman; son with severe autism and dying due to AIDS as examples of those whom Childers met while writing his songs about.
Childers states that true artists, oftentimes ruffling feathers. Coming from rural Appalachia himself, this has proven especially true: when he was growing up media and outsiders often painted rural Appalachia as full of poverty, addiction, and racism – something Childers saw differently when working on farms or driving down highways.
He used music as an outlet to share the stories he heard, yet his 2020 release Long Violent History made a profound statement: it served as both a political protest and an honest attempt at reining in parts of Southern culture he considered harmful.
Childers’ album Rustin’ in the Rain marked a turning point for him; it earned him a Grammy nomination and forced him to reflect upon his place within American country music. Now back with another record, its title reflecting its content — its songs being more reflective of Childers’ personal experiences than in its predecessor album — Childers offers his take on his experiences through songs focused on people of non-white heritage and written for the mainstream market.
What do his songs mean to me?
Tyler Childers is a country singer with an exceptional voice and vision. His songs often elicit powerful emotions while providing significant meaning – one such song being his best-selling “Born Again,” a track about life after death; something seldom addressed in country music genre. Tyler conveys this theme through creative lyrics using country jangly guitar style with subtle slides for impactful effect.
Another one of his songs, “All Your’n”, is an emotive love song that conveys his deep attachment to his partner. He speaks openly about dying for her or performing miracles for her; his lyrics convey raw honesty that resonate with many country music listeners. This classic love ballad makes an excellent country classic that resonates deeply within all listeners.
Childers has written several songs highlighting the struggles of working class individuals. Through his songs, Childers adds humanity to stereotypes created by mainstream country stars such as Carrie Underwood and Keith Urban. Childers talks about people working in coal mines as well as potential hazards they encounter – even offering up his favorite pastime of pinball!
He’s not afraid to speak his mind when it comes to politics, addressing hot button topics with ease and not afraid to stir things up along the way. Furthermore, he speaks out about social injustice with great conviction. He has an indomitable sense of right and wrong and always fights hard for those he feels have been mistreated by society.
No matter if it be politics or opioid abuse, his songs are passionate and emotional, reminding listeners to stand up for what they believe in and fight for their rights as citizens.
Childers is a true country artist, and his fans appreciate his dedication to his craft. Not afraid to show his personality onstage, Childers always brings his A game and gives audiences an incredible show – no wonder he has become one of the most sought-after country stars today.