Tyler Childers‘ latest music video for the song “In Your Love” is being hailed as a significant step towards inclusivity in country music. The video, which depicts a love story between two men in 1950s rural Appalachia, has garnered praise from LGBTQ advocates and fellow musicians alike.
The song is the first release from Childers’ upcoming album “Rustin’ in the Rain,” set to be released on September 8th. It tells a tale of devotion and love between two coal miners, played by Colton Haynes and James Scully, who face adversity and attacks from co-workers at a coal mine before finding solace on a farm.
The release of this video comes amidst controversy surrounding another country music video, Jason Aldean’s “Try That In A Small Town,” which was pulled by CMT due to criticism for promoting gun violence and lynching. In contrast, “In Your Love” has been widely appreciated for its positive message and representation of love.
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Fellow musician Margo Price took to Twitter to share her support for the video, urging people to share it and celebrate good songwriting and positive messages. On YouTube, the video has gained over 2.3 million views and received over 12,000 comments, with many expressing gratitude for the portrayal of LGBTQ love in country music.
However, not everyone was supportive, and there were some negative comments on Facebook. Despite potential backlash, Childers remains proud of the video and believes it will initiate important conversations. He sees it as a powerful story of love, loss, and shared experiences, which will bring visibility to LGBTQ individuals in rural areas.
Tyler Childers collaborated with friend and best-selling author Silas House, who wrote the treatment and served as the creative director for the video. House and his husband, Jason Kyle Howard, both native Kentuckians like Childers, developed the story idea.
The video was directed by Bryan Schlam, known for his work with the Black Keys and James Bay. House emphasized the significance of representation for LGBTQ people in country music, stating that the video shows that there have always been LGBTQ individuals in rural places.
Despite the potential backlash, Childers hopes that the video will foster real conversations about love, inclusivity, and acceptance in the country music community. With its positive message and powerful storytelling, “In Your Love” marks a significant step forward in showcasing diverse love stories in the country music landscape.