Tyler Childers Sees Surprisingly Strong Chart Performance for “Purgatory”
Kentucky songwriter and performer Tyler Childers has just released what might as well be considered his debut album Purgatory via Thirty Tigers, and for an independent artist with virtually no radio play and no national television exposure, Purgatory has sold through surprisingly well.
Purgatory has debuted at #5 on the Billboard Country Album Sales chart that tracks pure sales of albums, as well as #17 on the Billboard Country Albums chart that factors in streaming along with sales data. Tyler also debuted #28 on the overall Billboard 200 Sales chart, and #1 on the New Artists chart.
“This is huge for a debut album,” co-producer Sturgill Simpson said about the accomplishments. “I could not be more proud or happy for this young man as he is truly deserving of what’s to come. I’m also glad to see so many media outlets giving all the props to Tyler…far too often producers get way too much credit for an artist’s work and a producer is only as good as the artist they work with.”
Sales are estimated at about 5,500 for the album, with 6,000 factoring streaming equivalents.
Tyler was introduced to Simpson by Sturgill’s drummer and bandleader, Miles Miller, who is also a Kentucky native. David Ferguson, who’s worked on albums from Johnny Cash as well as Sturgill’s projects—and is the mastermind of Nashville’s recording studio The Butcher Shoppe where Purgatory was recorded—was also a producer on the album.
The band assembled for the album included well-known fiddle player Stuart Duncan, guitar and pedal steel player Russ Pahl, as well as Miles Miller on drums, Sturgill on acoustic guitar and backing vocals, among other players.
Tyler has been making a name for himself for many years playing regionally in Kentucky and West Virginia, including appearances on NPR’s Mountain Stage and opening slots for Kelsey Waldon and Colter Wall, and released a couple of live albums that garnered him a strong grassroots following. When Purgatory was released, fans finally had an outlet for their patronage, and the patience and dues paid by Tyler Childers paid off.
August 15, 2017 @ 8:00 am
Awesome! I’m thrilled for him.
AOY for me; no contest. Universal Sound is the only song that I’m like, meh. The rest of the album is incredible. I can’t wait to see him in concert (with band).
August 15, 2017 @ 8:08 am
I really enjoyed the album. I thought “Universal Sound” was the best song on the album. Going to try to see him & Colter Wall in Charlotte September 20th.
August 15, 2017 @ 10:19 am
The production gets in the way (the only song which it’s a fault). Every time it comes on I think “how did a Keith Urban song get on my iPod?”
I will seek out the acoustic version tonight.
August 15, 2017 @ 12:31 pm
To me, that’s the song that has the most Sturtill influence.
The acoustic version is solid as well (it’s a great song in any form), but I really enjoy the album version.
August 15, 2017 @ 1:51 pm
“To me, that’s the song that has the most sturgill influence.” Probably why I don’t like it as much. I do, lyrically, in fact it’s a key piece of the album, but that production does try to get in the way a bit.
August 17, 2017 @ 5:42 am
Keith Urban? That’s intense, dude. 😉
August 20, 2017 @ 10:39 pm
Go find videos of him doing Universal Sound on YouTube. Just him and his guitar. Much better than the album cut.
I was pretty negative about the instrumentation when I first heard the album. 20 or so listens later, I’ve made peace with every song except that one.
August 15, 2017 @ 9:20 am
Totally agree with you. TC has a clean acoustic version of Universal Sound on YouTube that I prefer. What a truly fantastic album. I Swear (to God) is such a great song and Honky Tonk Flame is a masterpiece. Hope he comes to Utah this year.
August 16, 2017 @ 4:46 pm
I think Universal Sound is incredible. I thought the acoustic version was too fast. I love the production of it too.
August 16, 2017 @ 5:18 pm
If Tyler Childers had done an entire album like “Universal Sound,” it would get annoying. As one song to spice up a record, I think it’s a really smart approach, and works for the theme of the song.
August 16, 2017 @ 5:24 pm
Totally agree.
I like albums that have depth combined with some concept. I think they achieved that here. I don’t like every song sounding the same.
August 17, 2017 @ 5:54 am
I agree that it’s a smart approach. I don’t know that I agree that a full album of that style would be annoying for me, but it would definitely be a different record and hard to identify as a country album.
It makes me think a little of Eric Clapton straight blues album From the Cradle. That album really was more for blues fans and I knew some “Clapton is God” type rock fans who didn’t care much for it because they really weren’t fans of straight blues. But it had one song on it (Motherless Child) that was rock radio friendly and sounded like it could have been on Slowhand. And it was good.
August 15, 2017 @ 8:57 am
Why isn’t his first album considered his debit?
August 15, 2017 @ 9:41 am
If a tree falls in the forest and there’s no one around, does it make a sound?
I’ve been referring to “Purgatory” as his second album, but this is for all intents and purposes it’s his debut record. You can’t really compare a self-release with an album produced by Sturgill Simpson and released via Thirty Tigers. That’s no disrespect meant to that first record, but I understand that Sturgill is saying.
August 15, 2017 @ 9:06 am
Anyone know who is in his touring band?
Got tics for next week and was curious on the players.
August 15, 2017 @ 1:48 pm
Yes. It’s the guys he has been playing with for a while….the Food Stamps. They are all younger guys from WV, and pretty well-known and accomplished regionally. I am going to see them tonight…should be a great show. Lady May is also opening, which I think is the first time she has done so this tour. Here is an article with some more detail on the band, and it also provides some insight on what it was like working with Sturgill and crew.
http://www.williamsondailynews.com/news/troubadour-tyler-childers-album-released-friday/article_0f45c773-a290-55d0-a142-49a4111e3ff4.html
August 15, 2017 @ 9:41 pm
Thanks for the link.
Between his and Steel Woods as the most anticipated shows.
August 16, 2017 @ 5:51 am
Steel Woods are soooo good live. Don’t think you’ll be disappointed!
August 16, 2017 @ 8:59 am
Saw Tyler last night, and I can report that the band is awesome. Super tight, and they work well with Tyler. I would put this tour on the “must see” list for sure!
August 15, 2017 @ 9:16 am
My album of the year too. This album freakin’ rocks! Good for him.
Anybody hear any news about Ryan Bingham or Kacey Musgraves coming out with an album this year? They are due.
August 16, 2017 @ 8:37 am
Kacey is opening for Harry Styles next year. I’m guessing she’ll bust a single out early next year with an album to follow to coincide with tour.
August 15, 2017 @ 9:23 am
Blown away by this album. Blown away. I’m counting it as the top album of 2017 in my book.
August 15, 2017 @ 9:51 am
We caught him at a tiny joint in SF called the Hotel Utah. The staff seemed a bit shocked that the show sold out (they generally have tickets left over for most of their shows and the posted capacity at the joint is 79). Great show and looking forward to seeing him in a much bigger space when he comes through next!
August 15, 2017 @ 10:16 am
Awesome, he is definitely a very talented artist and hopefully has many great successful endeavors with his music
August 15, 2017 @ 11:04 am
Stopped in to pick this album up at Grimey’s in Nashville the day after it was released and they were already sold out of vinyl copies. Favorite record this year!!!
August 15, 2017 @ 11:23 am
I love this album..
Been on constant rotation..
It is an album I want to listen to..
I listened to isbell, moreland, and this the other day.
This is the album I keep going back to.
I’ve got tix to see him..
August 15, 2017 @ 11:50 am
I want this guy to blow up. Just as good as Sturgill and Isbell and Turnpike imho. Loved the album, though I agree Universal Sound is not my bag. What a good freakin album. Listened to it like 12 times. Banded Clovis is badass.
Really excited to see what else is in store.
August 15, 2017 @ 11:52 am
Trigger,
Sorry in advance for this long and somewhat off-topic comment, but I was wondering about your thoughts on something I thought about at work yesterday:
How do you feel about the way that”alternative” (for lack of a better term) country music has changed in the last few years? Specifically, how the scene has shifted from Hank 3, Bob Wayne, Jayke Orvis and other rowdy, fuck-you, fuck-nashville type artists and groups to the Jason isbell, Sturgill Simpson Americana/hipster crowd.
Personally, I don’t mind too much, because I really enjoy some of the Americana guys and gals and am glad they’re getting the attention they deserve, but it’s bittersweet to see the underground deteriorate as much as it has.
August 15, 2017 @ 12:54 pm
The problem is Hank3 has not released an album in 4 years, and not a good one for longer than that, and hasn’t toured in years either. It’s been years for Jayke Orvis as well, and you can’t find his stuff through streaming services. Bob Wayne just released an album, but it was almost like he’s keeping it a secret. Truth is the country music underground died 7 or 8 years ago. That doesn’t mean there aren’t some artists out there doing some great stuff. Joseph Huber continues to release excellent records. There’s a handful of artists trying to hold on. But the constant infighting, the “scenes” and an unwillingness of the artists to look at music proactively and as a business led to the implosion of what could have been a very vibrant movement. Sturgill Simpson, Tyler Childers, John Moreland, even folks like Shovels & Rope would have fit perfectly into that movement back in the day, but today they would be ostracized. The people who’ve become successful are the ones who’ve avoided getting too deep in that scene such as Whitey Morgan, and Sturgill.
Again, I don’t want to trash the few remaining artists out there still trying to do something good, and not giving a shit if it’s “successful” on someone’s scale. But the leaders are gone, many of the fans have left, and frankly, some of the music remaining just isn’t that good enough to invest your time in. I personally decided long ago that there’s great music in Americana, Texas country, and many other places, and that is why I broadened the coverage of Saving Country Music. That said, if someone releases a badass album, I still listen and bring it to readers.
August 15, 2017 @ 2:27 pm
Try sarah shook’s last one on way to ser her tonite although she is opening
August 16, 2017 @ 8:42 am
Any relation to the Shook Twins or are they something different? I ask because they’re playing not far from my home soon.
August 16, 2017 @ 2:32 pm
No sarah shook and disarmers saw them last nite they actually headlined bout 20 songs AWESOME
August 15, 2017 @ 1:56 pm
Love him, love this album, could not be happier for him, and especially love the comments Sturgill made about him getting the coverage as opposed to his producer…however, I do feel compelled to point out that this is not his debut record.
August 15, 2017 @ 2:36 pm
Great for both of them, and great for good music in general. I’ve been loving this release.
August 15, 2017 @ 6:17 pm
Album deserves any recognition it’s getting and more. Hearing sturgill on the backup vocals kind of cracks me up but in a good way.
August 16, 2017 @ 9:02 am
Yeah. It’s funny how much Miles Miller sounds like Sturgill when doing backup. That is Miles on every song except for White House Road and Purgatory, which include Sturgill as well. At first listen I thought it was 100% Sturgill singing at the upper end of his registry.
August 15, 2017 @ 6:37 pm
i dropped in to call this my Album of the Year and see that I’m in the back of a long line.. I’m ok with that. Bitch and moan as we must, but talent rises to the top. Congrats to Mr Childers..
August 15, 2017 @ 6:45 pm
Good for him. Purgatory is a classic.
August 16, 2017 @ 4:17 am
Awesome album! I’ve had it on repeat since it came out
August 16, 2017 @ 4:34 am
Too bad it’s not out yet in Germany. I would love to part with a couple of Euros to reward Tyler’s album. What’s the deal, Thirty Tigers?
Speaking of David Ferguson-produced records, you might want to hold out for the next one by Brit Jake Bugg, who has recorded in Nashville with Ferguson, Dan Auerbach and some of the original Memphis Boys. Bugg has previously more come from the Britpop side of things of course – but maybe this makes the album an even more intriguing listen, seeing as it kinda combines two sides of the pond. I recommend you give it a listen, Trigger, it might even merit a review here even though it is not strictly Country. Maybe that sound can be called Britainicana.
August 16, 2017 @ 8:16 pm
Interesting! I have a Jake Bugg album (presumably it was his first major label release at the time) and thought he was the next big thing in a roots/singer/songwriter sort of way. My only criticism at the time was a certain lack of focus, although others might say that presenting such variation in styles is actually an advantage. I will definitely hunt down this new Jake Bugg album some time soon.
August 16, 2017 @ 4:41 am
What a lucky dude. Not only does he have women up and down the creek, but now he has a hit album. Good on ya Tyler.
August 16, 2017 @ 7:26 am
Why do some get clobbered here for doing weed songs, while others get praised for songs about hard drugs ?
Why does bro country get bad grades for demeaning songs about humping on a truck bed, while this guy gets praised for singing about leaving buckle impressions ?
Why do some artists get bashed for being “not country,” while Sturgill gets praised through the roof for alt-rock music and covering Rihanna ?
I guess as long as it’s someone “you” like, you’ll
August 16, 2017 @ 8:22 am
Because of subtlety and nuance. For example, I’ve no problem with my kids listening to Conway Twitty sing about banging the fuck out of a married woman because they don’t understand what he’s getting at. Subtlety. “Country” radio just flat fucking says what they’re getting at nowadays and the shit’s just objectively bad music and songwriting on every level. This is not hard.
August 16, 2017 @ 8:52 am
Here’s an interview of DBT’s Mike Cooley from several years back. At about 7:18, he pretty much makes the same point.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pJUwy72kXko
August 16, 2017 @ 8:19 pm
Thanks Jim Bob. Couldn’t have put it better myself.
August 16, 2017 @ 8:45 am
I guess I missed where Sturgill got praised through the roof for covering Rihanna, other than maybe a reader comment, maybe a couple more? I’ll go on record as not being intrigued by it.
August 16, 2017 @ 9:52 am
I missed where Sturgill covered Rihanna.
Rolling Stone is the one always posting stories about artists covering each other along with grainy, shaky cellphone footage as if it justifies original content. Go hound them.
August 16, 2017 @ 10:58 am
I had only read it in a comment section here. Perhaps that “go hound them” isn’t literally directed at me, but my point to Robert was that I am one enthusiastic Sturgill fan who is not particularly excited about him covering Rihanna and I’m sure there are others. Not angry about it, either.
August 16, 2017 @ 9:08 am
I understand your general point about people you like getting more leeway about mentioning certain topics in their music, and sometimes I do think drug and sex references can get a little tired and/or superfluous. But not here. Tyler grew up in an area that’s been absolutely devastated by the opioid crisis. Him singing about pills and shine isn’t an affectation, like it may be for other artists. It’s an accurate reflection of where he’s from. There’s no one from the general area (myself included) who’s gone unaffected by it.
Also, “my buckle makes impressions on the inside of her thigh/ there are little feathered Indians where we tussled through the night” vs “girl you make my speakers go boom boom/ dancing on the tailgate in the full moon/ that kinda thing makes a man go mmm mmm/ you’re looking so good in what’s left of those blue jeans.” (gag)
I mean, isn’t it obvious why he can get away with it?
It’s not full on creepy or a cliche or objectification. I’d even go so far as to say it’s kind of sweet, especially considering it in the context of the entire song.
Moreover, Tyler actually wrote those lyrics himself and can get up and perform them with just his voice and his guitar, whereas Luke didn’t write the song (looks like it took the combined brain power of no less than three men to come up with it) and I seriously doubt we’re going to come across an acoustic version of Drunk on You with just LB and his guitar minus flashing lights/lasers/fire as an onstage distraction from the shitshow that’s front and center anytime soon.
August 16, 2017 @ 9:09 am
It’s all about how it is addressed. Those are just very small elements in Tyler’s music, not the main subject song after song after song. And they are tastefully done. Also, it is done against a backdrop of good music, not as part of a horrible pop song.
Second, nobody ever praised Sturgill for doing a Rihanna cover (which was live and not on an album, btw). And he has never put out an “alt-rock” song. So, not sure what you are talking about on that front.
August 16, 2017 @ 9:57 am
First, nobody has been a more staunch critic of Sturgill Simpson over the years than myself. Just because I cover him often, doesn’t mean I agree with everything he does. I was the very first to cover his music, and I’ve been covering his entire career closely. As a one man operation, I am forced to focus in on certain things than trying to cover the entirety of music.
As for the weed and drug references, there’s a huge difference between referencing drugs and alcohol in cautionary tales and through storytelling and character, and using it for marketing purposes or self-aggrandizing consumerism as we hear it often in the mainstream. It’s not the references themselves.
August 16, 2017 @ 4:51 pm
Because I believe Tyler Childers when he tells a story. I don’t believe Luke Bryan or Blake Shelton. it’s real music by real musicians. That’s pretty much the bottom line.
August 16, 2017 @ 8:24 am
Lady may was on the radio this week here. Surprising.
August 16, 2017 @ 4:55 pm
It’s an instant classic in my opinion. It’s easy AOY nothing close so far for me
August 16, 2017 @ 8:21 pm
I would have to agree. Eady and Marty Stuart are up there as well, but this childers album is superb.
August 16, 2017 @ 8:00 pm
Thanks to the advance notice from Trig, I listened to this last weekend, back to back with Dave Rawlings’ equally excellent new album. Both discs are full of songs that give you chills, an involuntary grin, or both. The musicianship serves to bring out the sheer joy in the songs. Both of these guys deserve to blow up into the mainstream every bit as big as Chris Stapleton and Sturgill. You won’t find a better opening track than “I Swear (To God)” all year. Kentucky country is on a roll..
August 16, 2017 @ 9:48 pm
Maybe this has changed since last week when I bought this album, but I did notice that it isn’t listed in “country” on iTunes, it’s “singer-songwriter”. I have to think that hurt it’s potential. Sturgill, Stapleton, Turnpike, Isbell and the like all have gotten a prime front page spot on the new release section, Childers did not. It’s such a crap shoot to what gets featured on there.
Hell, maybe it helped. What do I know. But this is a killer album and “Universal Sound” is badass.
August 10, 2018 @ 2:05 pm
I’m late to this album, I wrote him off after his first album as it didn’t do much for me. Then I heard his songs on Anthony Bourdain’s Parts Unknown and was really impressed with what I heard. Glad I gave his second album a shot, it’s really good.