“Defies Expectations”: Tyler Childers Is Cooking up Something Special With Legendary Producer Rick Rubin

Despite a notable lack of musical skill, Rick Rubin is one of the industry’s most influential figures. Although best known for producing pioneering hip-hop artists such as Public Enemy, Run-DMC, and LL Cool J, the Def Jam Recordings co-founder has also dabbled in country music. Producing acts like Johnny Cash and The Chicks, Rubin has set his sights on alt-country sensation Tyler Childers.

Videos by American Songwriter

RCA Chairman/CEO Peter Edge let the news slip during a recent conversation with HITS Daily Double.

‘I’m really excited about Tyler Childers’ new album, which is produced by Rick Rubin,” Edge said. “He defies expectations, and this new album goes even further. The great thing about Tyler is that he does it the way he wants to do it. He’s playing giant venues, and he’s making the music he wants to make.”

We're back On The Road and kicking things off tonight in Jacksonville!

Get tickets for all shows at: https://t.co/zjJWNWokOI pic.twitter.com/Vyk6tCRQ6i

— Tyler Childers (@TTChilders) May 29, 2025

While we currently don’t have any other details, Edge mentioned Childers’ album as one of the projects he’s most excited for in “the next few months.” So hopefully, we’ll be getting new music soon.

Childers’ most recent album came in 2023 with Rustin’ in the Rain. Debuting at No. 10 on the Billboard 200, the album features the single “In Your Love,” which nabbed three Grammy nominations.

[RELATED: Watch Tyler Childers Shock Fans When Performing “Jersey Giant” for the First Time in Years]

Currently, the “All Your’n” singer is embarking on his On the Road Tour, featuring appearances from Robert Earl Keen, Wynonna Judd, and Charley Crockett.

Tyler Childers Will Headline Healing Appalachia Festival With Chris Stapleton

This fall, Tyler Childers, 33, will join fellow Kentucky native Chris Stapleton in helming this year’s Healing Appalachia Festival. The nation’s largest recovery-based music festival is set for Sept. 19-20 in Ashland, Kentucky.

Childers founded the event as the flagship production of Hope In The Hills, a West Virginia-based nonprofit dedicated to fighting the opioid crisis and supporting recovery. This is the festival’s first time in Childers’ home state.

Childers has spoken candidly about his past struggles with addiction, noting in September 2020 that he had six months of sobriety.

Featured image by Ralph Arvesen/Shutterstock