Timothy Tyler Childers, pronounced /tʃɪldərz/, was born on June 21, 1991, and stands as a notable American singer-songwriter. His musical style seamlessly weaves together neotraditional country, bluegrass, and folk influences.
Notably, he unveiled his album titled “Purgatory” in August 2017, which marked a significant milestone in his career. With an impressive discography, Childers boasts five studio albums, alongside an array of EPs and singles.
Early Life
Hailing from Lawrence County, Kentucky, Timothy Tyler Childers was nurtured in this environment. His father’s involvement in the coal industry and his mother’s profession as a nurse were defining aspects of his upbringing. Childers’ vocal talents were initially honed within the confines of his local church, where he actively participated in the church choir.
His passion for music led him to embrace the guitar and songwriting at the tender age of 13. His academic journey included attending Paintsville High School, situated in nearby Paintsville, Johnson County, Kentucky. He successfully graduated in 2009. It’s worth noting that Johnson County has also produced renowned country figures like Chris Stapleton (Staffordsville), Loretta Lynn (Butcher Hollow), and Crystal Gayle.
Higher education took Childers to Western Kentucky University for a semester, and subsequently to Bluegrass Community and Technical College for a few semesters. However, his desire for a music career saw him leaving formal education behind, embarking on various odd jobs as he pursued his musical dreams.
Career Beginnings
The initial stages of Childers’ musical journey were marked by performances in key locations like Lexington, Kentucky, and Huntington, West Virginia. A pivotal moment arrived in 2011 when, at the age of 19, he released his debut album, “Bottles And Bibles.” In 2013, he recorded two EPs at Red Barn Radio, a well-known Lexington radio show. Following the triumph of his album “Purgatory,” these two EPs were amalgamated into a single release titled “Live on Red Barn Radio I & II,” which successfully reached the 5th position on the Heatseekers Albums chart. Childers was accompanied by his backing band, The Food Stamps, during performances.
Breakthrough and Notable Achievements
“Purgatory,” released on August 4, 2017, proved to be Childers’ turning point. This album was produced in collaboration with Sturgill Simpson and David Ferguson, and recorded at The Butcher Shoppe in Nashville. Simpson not only produced but also contributed guitar work and backing vocals to the album. The ensemble was further enriched by the musical talents of Miles Miller on drums, Stuart Duncan on fiddle, and Russ Paul on various other instruments. Noteworthy achievements followed the album’s release, with “Purgatory” claiming the No. 1 position on Billboard’s Heatseekers Albums chart, No. 17 on the Country Albums chart, and a solid No. 4 on the Americana/Folk Albums chart.
In September 2018, Timothy Tyler Childers received the distinction of Emerging Artist of the Year at the 2018 Americana Music Honors & Awards. His acceptance speech garnered attention for its candid critique of the Americana genre label. He expressed that, as a country music singer at heart, he perceived Americana as a distraction from the broader issues faced by country music artists. Drawing a comparison, he likened it to a sense of purgatory. This speech stood as a testament to his artistic integrity and his commitment to his musical roots.