Tyler Childers is an American country music singer-songwriter from Lawrence County, Kentucky. He is known for his blend of country, bluegrass and folk music and has developed a strong fan base, especially in the Southern United States. Though originally from Kentucky, Childers has spent significant time playing shows and living in Nashville, Tennessee – one of the epicenters of country music in America.
Quick Answer
Yes, Tyler Childers does play shows in Nashville. He has performed at various venues in Nashville over the years as he has grown his career in country music. Some of the notable Nashville venues he has played include the Ryman Auditorium, the Grand Ole Opry House, Bridgestone Arena, Ascend Amphitheater and the historic Station Inn. Additionally, Childers recorded parts of his 2017 album ‘Purgatory’ at The Butcher Shoppe recording studio in Nashville.
Childers’ Rise in Nashville
While Childers was born and raised in Kentucky, Nashville has become like a second home for him over the course of his musical career. He first gained some recognition in Nashville back in 2008 when he won the Chris Austin Songwriting Contest at the age of 21. This helped him make important connections in the Nashville music scene. After releasing a few independent albums starting in 2011, Childers really broke out with his 2017 album ‘Purgatory’, which was critically acclaimed and rose to number 72 on the Billboard 200 chart. This gained him a big following in Nashville.
It was after the success of ‘Purgatory’ that Childers started playing more shows in major Nashville venues. In November 2017, he sold out a headline show at the historic Ryman Auditorium, which was a major achievement early in his career. He returned to play the Ryman again in May 2019 for a sold-out two-night stand. He has also played packed shows at the Grand Ole Opry House, Ascend Amphitheater and Bridgestone Arena in recent years. These Nashville concerts signify his immense popularity and rise in the Nashville country scene.
Notable Performances in Nashville
Here are some of the most notable Tyler Childers concerts and performances that have taken place in Nashville:
- Grand Ole Opry Debut – In August 2017, Childers made his debut at the iconic Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, which was a major milestone early in his career.
- Ryman Auditorium Residencies – Childers has played multiple residency runs at the Ryman Auditorium, featuring consecutive sold-out shows in 2017, 2019 and 2022.
- 2022 New Year’s Eve at Bridgestone Arena – Childers rang in 2022 by co-headlining the New Year’s Eve concert at Bridgestone Arena alongside pop star Ke$ha.
- 2018 Opry at the Ryman Shows – Childers was part of multiple Grand Ole Opry shows that moved back to the Ryman Auditorium in 2018 and 2019.
- 2021 ASCAP Country Music Awards – Childers performed at the 2021 ASCAP Country Music Awards held at the Opry House.
- 2022 Stagecoach Festival – Childers played the main stage at the 2022 Stagecoach country music festival in Nashville.
These performances demonstrate Childers’ ability to sell out arena shows, play historic venues like the Ryman and Opry House, and perform at major country music events in Nashville. This signifies that he has become an established name in the Nashville scene.
Collaborations With Nashville Artists
In addition to his own headlining shows, Childers has frequently collaborated on stage and in the studio with many famous Nashville artists:
- Sturgill Simpson – Childers has toured as an opener for Simpson and collaborated on songs like “House Fire.” Simpson also produced Childers’ album ‘Purgatory’.
- Brothers Osborne – He has performed with the duo multiple times, including CMA Fest and the Ryman Auditorium.
- Langhorne Slim – Childers has performed with fellow Nashville adopter Langhorne Slim several times.
- Kacey Musgraves – Childers and Musgraves recorded a duet of “Rainbow Connection” for a 2021 charity album.
- The Highwomen – He performed with supergroup The Highwomen in Nashville in 2019.
- Carrie Underwood – Childers collaborated with Underwood on stage at the Grand Ole Opry in 2019 for a version of “I Told You So.”
Playing and collaborating with renowned Nashville artists has helped further establish Childers’ presence in the city and country music world.
Residency in Nashville Area
Though he still considers Kentucky home, Childers has spent more and more time based in the Nashville area as his career has taken off. In 2021, it was reported that he, his wife Senora May, and their two children were living at least part-time just outside of Nashville in the nearby town of White House, Tennessee.
Living in the Nashville region has enabled Childers to become more ingrained in the local country music community. It provides easier access to recording studios, venues, fellow artists in town to collaborate with, and music industry events and functions.
However, he is still proud of his Kentucky roots and returns there often. The appeal of Nashville for Childers seems to be mostly career focused, while his family life remains rooted in Kentucky.
Tyler Childers’ Band Members Are Nashville Regulars
Most of the musicians who play in Tyler Childers’ touring band are based in Nashville and involved in the local music scene:
- Sturgill Simpson – As mentioned, Simpson has a long history with Childers and sometimes still plays guitar with his band.
- Miles Miller – Drummer who has played on Grammy winning albums by the Nashville band The Time Jumpers.
- Robbie Crowell – Known for playing with Nashville band Deer Tick in addition to Childers.
- Cory Younts – Keyboard player who tours with Nashville singer-songwriter Andrew Combs.
- Larry Atamanuik – Plays drums for Nashville artists Colter Wall and Kelsey Waldon.
Having a band made up of seasoned Nashville musicians demonstrates Childers’ connections to the city and its talent pool. It enables him to put on outstanding live shows in Nashville.
Reception in Nashville and Impact on Country Music
Tyler Childers’ gritty, soulful brand of country music and fiery live performances have earned him plenty of praise and admiration from Nashville critics, artists and industry professionals:
- His 2017 Ryman Auditorium residency earned rave reviews, with Nashville Scene calling him “easily one of the most significant voices in country to come along in recent memory.”
- Rolling Stone named his 2019 sold-out Ryman run one of the best country concerts of the year.
- His songs are played on Nashville country radio stations like WSM, WKDF and WSIX.
- He won Emerging Artist of the Year at the 2018 Americana Honors & Awards show in Nashville.
- The Mayor of Nashville declared July 17 Tyler Childers Day in 2019 after his 6-show residency at the Ryman.
Tyler Childers is seen as one of the most promising and influential modern artists carrying on the tradition of country music in Nashville. His fiery authenticity has won over many fans, critics and fellow artists in the city.
Style and Sound Connects to Nashville Roots
While Childers puts his own modern spin on things, his style and sound pay homage to traditional country music that originated in Nashville:
- His soulful, resonant singing voice has drawn frequent comparisons to Kentucky legend Keith Whitley, who rose to fame in Nashville.
- His lyrics often tell relatable stories centered around working class, rural America, akin to country pioneers.
- He incorporates old-time country, bluegrass and gospel influences reminiscent of the early Grand Ole Opry era in Nashville.
- Live shows feature extensive guitar solos and fiddle breaks that connect back to country music’s Nashville roots.
- His appearance and fashion sense, like always wearing a white t-shirt on stage, feel authentic to country music history.
Tyler Childers’ ability to bridge modern and traditional country has contributed to his popularity in Nashville and earned him praise for keeping the genre’s roots alive.
Childers Helps Expand Diversity in Nashville
As a singer-songwriter from working class, rural Appalachia who found success in Nashville, Tyler Childers represents an expansion of diversity in country music:
- His background provides a perspective and voice not always present in Nashville’s country scene.
- His accent and syntax on songs preserve the authentic dialect of his home region.
- His success helps open doors for other talented rural and working class artists.
- He sings about overlooked people and places, bringing them into Nashville’s limelight.
- His rough-hewn style marks a shift from the pop-leaning “bro country” that was dominant in Nashville.
Tyler Childers has helped diversify the sounds, stories, voices and faces that make up country music in Nashville today.
Where Tyler Childers Has Played in Nashville
Here is an overview of the major venues and events where Tyler Childers has performed in Nashville:
The Ryman Auditorium
- November 2017 (6 sold-out shows)
- May 2019 (6 sold-out shows)
- September 2022 (6 sold-out shows)
Grand Ole Opry House
- August 2017 (Grand Ole Opry debut)
- Multiple Opry shows in 2018-2022
- 2021 ASCAP Country Music Awards
Bridgestone Arena
- December 2022 (New Year’s Eve concert with Ke$ha)
Ascend Amphitheater
- October 2021
Other Notable Nashville Venues
- Station Inn
- 3rd & Lindsley
- City Winery
- Basement East
- Exit/In
- Marathon Music Works
This list demonstrates the diversity of venues Childers has played across Nashville, from small clubs to massive arenas.
Key Events in Tyler Childers’ History with Nashville
Here is a timeline of some of the most significant events over the course of Tyler Childers’ history with Nashville:
Year | Event |
---|---|
2008 | Wins Chris Austin Songwriting Contest at age 21 |
2011 | Releases first independent album “Bottles and Bibles” |
2017 | Releases breakout album “Purgatory,” recorded in Nashville |
2017 | Makes Grand Ole Opry debut |
2017 | First headline Ryman Auditorium shows |
2018 | Wins Emerging Artist of the Year at Americana Awards |
2019 | Second sold-out Ryman residency |
2021 | Moves to Nashville area |
2022 | Third sold-out Ryman residency |
This timeline demonstrates Childers’ steady rise in Nashville over the past 15 years from young songwriter to headlining star.
Conclusion
In conclusion, though he got his start in Kentucky, Tyler Childers has clearly established himself as an important presence on the Nashville country music scene. He has headlined the city’s major venues like the Ryman Auditorium and Bridgestone Arena, collaborated with top Nashville artists, earned acclaim from local critics, and based himself in the Nashville area. While Childers maintains his rural Kentucky roots and style, Nashville has welcomed and embraced him. He is seen as one of the most promising new artists keeping the traditions of country music alive in Nashville today. His soulful, gritty sound connects back to the genre’s origins in the city. For years to come, expect Tyler Childers to continue playing his brand of authentic, heartfelt country music before adoring crowds in Nashville.