Timothy Tyler Childers, born on June 21, 1991, is an American country singer-songwriter whose music blends neotraditional country, bluegrass, folk, and honky-tonk influences. Raised in Lawrence County, Kentucky, Childers' journey has taken him from singing in church to headlining major venues and challenging the conventions of country music.
Early Life and Influences
Tyler Childers' upbringing in Kentucky profoundly shaped his musical style and lyrical themes. His father worked in the coal industry, and his mother was a nurse. He was born with clubfoot and had to undergo surgeries to remedy the condition when he was 18 months old, and again when he was five. He learned to sing in church as a member of the choir and started playing guitar and writing songs around age 13.
His connection to Kentucky and Appalachia is evident in his music, which often explores themes related to coal mining and its impact on the region. Childers attended Lawrence County High School and transferred to Paintsville High School in Paintsville, Kentucky, 23 miles southwest of LCHS.
Musical Beginnings and Breakthrough
Childers began performing in Lexington, Kentucky, and Huntington, West Virginia. In 2011, at 19, he released his first album, Bottles and Bibles. In 2012, he uploaded an acoustic recording of "Jersey Giant" to SoundCloud with vocals from Senora May. He released two EPs recorded in 2013 at Red Barn Radio, a radio show from Lexington. The two EPs were later released as one recording called Live on Red Barn Radio I & II after the success of his album Purgatory; they reached No.
His breakthrough came with the 2017 album Purgatory, produced by Sturgill Simpson and David Ferguson and recorded at The Butcher Shoppe in Nashville. Simpson also played guitar and sang backing vocals on the album; Miles Miller is on drums, Stuart Duncan on fiddle, and Russ Paul played other instruments. It debuted at No. 1 on Billboard's Heatseekers Albums chart, No. 17 on the Country albums chart, and No. 4 on the Americana/Folk albums chart.
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Critical Acclaim and Genre Defiance
Purgatory was named one of the best albums of the year by several publications and earned Childers an Americana Music Award. In September 2018, Childers won Emerging Artist of the Year at the 2018 Americana Music Honors & Awards; he gave an acceptance speech noted for its criticism of the Americana genre label.
He expressed his feeling that "as a man who identifies as a country music singer, I feel Americana ain't no part of nothing and is a distraction from the issues that we're facing on a bigger level as country music singers."
Albums and Songwriting
Country Squire, a second album under the Hickman Holler label and Childers' third overall, was released on August 2, 2019. On September 18, 2020, Childers released Long Violent History, an album consisting mainly of traditional fiddle tracks. The album closes with the title track, which discusses racism, civil unrest, and police brutality.
On September 30, 2022, Childers released a triple album Can I Take My Hounds to Heaven?. The album is divided into three parts: Hallelujah, Jubilee, and Joyful Noise; eight songs are presented in three ways (Jubilee versions for example have additional instruments added to the Hallelujah version). The album charted at No.
Childers released a new single in July 2023 titled "In Your Love", which was co-written with Geno Seale. The release was followed by the announcement of a new upcoming album Rustin' in the Rain. The accompanying music video for the single was written by Silas House and depicts a relationship between two gay coal miners in the 1950s. Rustin' in the Rain was released on September 8, 2023. The album features a cover of S.G. Goodman's song "Space and Time".
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Childers released his seventh studio album, Snipe Hunter, on July 25, 2025, where he blended Appalachian music, experimental rock, psychedelia, and gospel music.
Musical Style and Themes
Childers' music is influenced by his home state of Kentucky and its connection to country music and bluegrass. He often writes about coal mining, which was his father's occupation, and its effects.
He has expressed his frustration with the categorization of traditional country artists under the "Americana" label, stating, "Everybody always talks about the state of country music and puts down commercial country and [says] 'something's gotta be done' and 'we need to be elevating artists that are doing more traditional country.' But then we're not calling those artists country artists, they're getting put into this Americana thing. It is what it is, and I don't really know how to define what Americana is. We're our own thing, it's a new time, and I don't know what it's called but I've been calling it country, y'know?"
Personal Life and Activism
In 2015, Childers married fellow performer Senora May, who is also a Kentucky native. Senate in 2022 and sang at the second inauguration of Kentucky governor Andy Beshear, also a Democrat. In June 2025, Childers performed his song "Long Violent History" on stage for the first time during a show in Los Angeles.
Hit Songs and Their Characteristics
Tyler Childers' hit songs are known for their haunting melodies, introspective lyrics, and Appalachian influences. His music is often characterized by its storytelling, emotional resonance, lyrical depth, and authenticity.
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Storytelling: Childers' songs are often narrative-driven, painting vivid pictures and exploring complex characters. His lyrics immerse listeners in the settings and environments of his stories, allowing them to connect with the characters and their experiences.
Emotionally Resonant: His lyrics delve into universal themes of love, loss, and redemption, connecting with listeners on a deep level. Childers' songs explore the complexities of romantic relationships, the pain of loss and grief, and the resilience of the human spirit.
Appalachian Roots: Childers' music is heavily influenced by the traditional music of his Appalachian heritage, incorporating elements of bluegrass, folk, and country. His songs often feature driving banjo and fiddle melodies, reflecting the struggles and resilience of the Appalachian people.
Lyrical Depth: Childers' lyrics are known for their poetic quality and attention to detail, often employing literary devices and symbolism. His use of metaphors, similes, and personification brings his lyrics to life, creating a rich tapestry of imagery that captivates the listener.
Authenticity: Childers' music is praised for its honesty and authenticity, reflecting his own experiences and observations. He sings about his own struggles, joys, and heartbreaks, drawing on his personal experiences to create songs that are deeply relatable and emotionally resonant.
Some of Tyler Childers' most popular songs include "Purgatory", "Lady May", and "Can I Take My Hounds to Heaven?". His songs often explore themes of love, loss, and redemption.
Recent Developments and "Snipe Hunter"
Tyler Childers' new album, Snipe Hunter, debuted at No. 7 on the Billboard 200, marking the highest-charting album of his career. It also opened at No. 2 on the Top Country Albums chart. A slight departure from his usual Appalachian sound, Snipe Hunter mixes country with gospel music and experimental rock.
In an interview with GQ in July, Childers explained that Snipe Hunter is about literally and figuratively wandering through life. "It’s observations from a traveling hillbilly," he said. "Huntin’ our sounds and trying new things to find it, and hunting our path. It asks, in so many different ways, what are you looking for?"
Addressing Social Issues and Controversies
Childers has never shied away from addressing social issues in his music. His 2020 album, Long Violent History, directly confronts racism and police brutality. More recently, his song "In Your Love" and its accompanying music video, which depicts a gay romance between two coal miners, sparked both praise and controversy.
Childers explained that he wrote the song to honor a gay cousin who was like a big brother to him growing up. He stated, "For all the ugliness that it’s going to bring out that just can’t be helped, this video is going to make real conversations possible. This is a story of two people sharing their love and living a life together and experiencing loss. That’s pretty powerful. Once you take away the flash card phrases and like the knee-jerk reactions, how does that make you feel?"
Overcoming Addiction and Finding Sobriety
Now sober, Childers has struggled with addiction to drugs and alcohol in the past. He revealed in September 2020 that he had stopped drinking and using drugs six months prior and has remained sober since.
He told The Bitter Southerner in September 2023 that he reached his low point shortly before the outset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 when he returned home after weeks of hard partying on tour and could barely function.
Legacy and Impact
Tyler Childers has emerged as a significant voice in country music, known for his unique blend of traditional and contemporary influences, his introspective lyrics, and his willingness to address social issues. His music resonates with listeners on a deep level, offering solace, comfort, and inspiration.
Childers' ability to craft emotionally resonant narratives, draw upon his own experiences, and capture the essence of his heritage sets him apart as a unique and compelling artist. He is not easily defined, and his music continues to evolve and captivate audiences, solidifying his place as a rising star in the country music landscape.