Tyler Childers Performed “Long Violent History” For The First Time Ever In Los Angeles

It only took him 5 years, but I’d venture to guess that Tyler Childers felt this was the right place and the right time to bust it out.

Back in 2020, following the death of George Floyd and the number of riots and protests that came along with it, Tyler Childers dropped a surprise album titled Long Violent History. The album was primarily a collection of instrumental old fiddle tunes, with Tyler showing off some of his amateur chops with a bow in his hand, but it culminated in the album’s title track, which was a rather thought-provoking commentary on racial injustice. Tyler tackles issue issues like racism, protests and police brutality, from a uniquely Appalachian viewpoint, ultimately asking the question: what would happen if white country boys were getting shot in the streets by police? Of course, more white men are killed by police officers every year in America, but black men are killed by police at a rate of 6 per million, whereas white men, 2.5 per million.

Here’s a quick look at the lyrics:

“How many boys could they haul off this mountain
Shoot full of holes, cuffed and laying in the street
Til we come into town in a stark  ravin’ anger
Looking for answers, and armed to the teeth.”

“.30-06s and pappa’s old pistol
How many you reckon would it be, four or five
or would that be the start of a long violent history
of tucking our tails as we try to abide.”

It was heavy stuff at the time, and certainly a way to use art to make people think about an extremely polarizing topic. And look, I’ll try to be nuanced on the internet even though I know this post will be met with “WOKE!” criticism, or an “Amen!” from the other side of the aisle…. nothing in between. But the thing about Tyler Childers, who I’d bet differs quite a bit from me in his political opinions, is that’s he’s never been one to ram politics down your throat from the stage, and condemn the fans who don’t always agree with him… he lets his art do the talking, and more times than not, simply calls for empathy and understanding… asking the simple question, how would you feel if you were wearing these shoes? Whatever that issue may be.

That’s exactly what he did with “Long Violent History,” and then he released a video explaining it where he calls for empathy, he calls for compassion, he calls for understanding, he calls for us to engage in the political process and vote, he calls for less anger, he calls for new ways to preserve Southern heritage. And finally, he call for us all to…

“Love each other, no exceptions. And remember… united we stand, divided we fall.”

And up until last night, he had never performed the song live… not one time. But given the riots and protests (make no mistake, both are happening) going on in Los Angeles, and around the country, right now in response to the Trump Administration’s crackdown illegal immigration, he broke it out at the Hollywood Bowl, just down the street (well, not in LA traffic) from where these nationwide demonstrations got started.

@taterhater99 Tyler Childers just played the vocal version of ‘Long Violent History’ live at the Hollywood Bowl—his first time ever. The weight of the lyrics hit even harder, echoing through the night as the National Guard stood watch around the city. A powerful moment of music meeting protest. Read More