Ever since the day I first listened to him, I’ve loved Tyler Childers.
In fact, like many people, I consider him to be the reason my entire taste in music shifted and at least partially the reason I find myself in the fortunate position to be able to write about awesome music for a living.
Also like many people, I was a bit confused, at first, with his latest release, Can I Take My Hounds To Heaven. Not that it was bad (it certainly was not), and I will never fault an artist for taking a sonic chance with new music, hell that’s part of being an artist, but when you fall in love with songs about cocaine and murder, it just takes a second to get used to this new version of Childers.
Which is why at times I like to go back to the old days. Before he cut his hair. When he wasn’t the poster child for “not on radio country music”.
Back to the absolute classic performance of “Feathered Indians,” “Whitehouse Road” and “Bus Route” recorded by LR Baggs during the 2017 Americana Festival, a year before his legendary acceptance speech where the host mispronounced his name and he went on a rage against the term “Americana” and the value of real country music.
That’s worth a re-listen as well…
Yeah, he’s the absolute man.
Rising to fame from nothing more than great writing, cutting vocals, raw production, and a true heart for the craft, Childers will forever have a special place in the hearts of country music fans around the globe, but especially those fortunate few who grabbed onto his coattails and rode the wave that’s still moving through the mainstream, putting country music in a better place than it has been in quite some time.
So grab a drink, put your feet up, and let these performances from the LR Baggs Sessions take you back to the moment it all took hold.
Tyler, you’ve got a forever fan here.
Keep doing your thing and thanks for all the variety of music you’ve put out, and will continue to put out, for the rest of your career.
Cheers, everyone.
“Whitehouse Road”
“Feathered Indians”
“Bus Route”
