It’s crazy to think that just over two years ago I went and saw Tyler Childers play to about 20 people at the Slaughtered Lamb in London, UK on his first trip out of the States. Now, Brooklyn Steel (and every other venue he shows up to) are packed to the rafters. What’s even more of a trip is that the next time he comes through New York on 16 May 2020, he’ll be playing Madison Square Garden with Sturgill Simpson.
There isn’t a person out there who deserves the success more than Childers. Nothing but talent and grass roots support got him and The Food Stamps to the top. And at this point, he and his band are so dialed-in the songs sound effortless. Kinda like Buck Owens and the Buckaroos at their prime—some sort of musical telepathy. The kind of thing that makes a guy forget about the half an hour walk to the venue through Williamsburg’s current intro to winter.
Saturday was no exception. Childers and band played much of the new Country Squire material and all the hits. But fans truly lose their minds when Childers steps out alone to play “Nose on the Grindstone” and “Follow You to Virgie”—New American Classics. For my money though, unreleased song “Take My Hounds to Heaven” and Kenny Rogers cover “Tulsa Turnaround” are about as fun as you can have at a show now or ever.
There really are only a few more dates left on Childers’ current tour the Country Squire Run. If you’re lucky enough to make it out to one of these shows, don’t hesitate. Given the sold out 2020 arena tour, these last club dates might be our last chance to see Childers in such an intimate space.
That said, the future looks exciting. It’s hard to even imagine what could come next. But if Saturday was any indicator, you can bet that Childers will just keep doing his thing and stopping even more people in their tracks along the way. That voice, no matter the venue, will shut you up and make you listen—whether the song’s about the plight of Appalachia or just an “Ever Lovin’ Hand.” https://tylerchildersmusic.com