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Love for new Tyler Childers video 'far outweighs the hatred,' author Silas House says

Tyler Childers performs during the 2023 Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival on Saturday, June 17, 2023, in Manchester, Tenn. (Photo by Amy Harris/Invision/AP)
Amy Harris/Amy Harris/Invision/AP
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Invision
Tyler Childers performs during the 2023 Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival on Saturday, June 17, 2023, in Manchester, Tenn. (Photo by Amy Harris/Invision/AP)

Reaction continues to pour in for Kentucky singer-songwriter Tyler Childers’ new music video, a collaboration between Childers and state poet laureate Silas House depicting two gay coal miners who make a life for themselves in Appalachia.

It’s a video the musician and writer both knew would spur immediate response, entering the public consciousness on the heels of a highly controversial video by country singer Jason Aldean.

Childers’ video for his new single "In Your Love" was praised by Rolling Stone as the “antithesis” of the “fearmongering and aggression” recently stirred up in the country music community. But fans had a variety of takes online.

"I wouldn't do something to divide my audience like that," one TikTok poster said.

"He put out a video depicting true love," another social media poster remarked. "That's what that video did."

But House told WLEX the video is sending a message to an audience not used to seeing themselves on CMT.

"The best part has been hearing from people who've said you know I've never seen myself in a country music video and today I did," the celebrated Kentucky author said.

House added to that sentiment on social media, saying, “All of their love for the video and the song far outweigh the hatred.”

In just four days, “In Your Love” has racked up 2.7 million views on YouTube alone and is currently number 3 on the platform’s music trending channel.

Josh James fell in love with college radio at Western Kentucky University's student station, New Rock 92 (now Revolution 91.7). After working as a DJ and program director, he knew he wanted to come home to Lexington and try his hand in public radio.