The Orange Peel was sold out for Tyler Childers, as it should have been…

Tyler Childers proved why is one of the fastest rising stars in the music industry with an exceptional set on Thursday night in Asheville. Weeks prior to arriving, the Kentucky native had sold out shows across the state of North Carolina in Carrboro, Charlotte and the western town finale on a Thursday night.

Be reminded, this wasn’t a Thursday, Friday and Saturday weekend run but a mini-tour through the Tarheel state that began on Sunday, before concluding with Wednesday and Thursday dates. Nonetheless, capacity crowds greeted Childers and his band at every stop.

For good reason too. While the backing of producer Sturgill Simpson on Childers latest album, Purgatory, helped the singer/songwriter gain national attention, his own unique storytelling capabilities coupled with being an amazing musician earned him due credit.

Childers is every bit as impressive in person. Connecting with his audience through songs which range from over indulgence, to past mistakes and triumphant returns – in essence, life. Childers even took his association one step further with a fan from his Charlotte date, justifying both his stories and songs on Twitter as attempts to “convey the human experience.”

Mission accomplished and the crowd on hand was grateful. The evening got going with local group, Town Mountain, who made the most of their set with a blue grass feel and amazing rendition of the classic Bruce Springsteen song, I’m on Fire.

Following, Childers took to the stage and from start to finish was extremely entertaining. Although he referenced maybe enjoying his set in Charlotte the night before a bit too much, the sound and voice were solid and Childers never missed a beat.

However, when it came time for the night to end, it did so rather abruptly. Childers band left him alone on stage with just a mic and guitar. There was no encore and he left following a final solo performance of Lady May which only left the crowd begging for more.

A North Carolina return for Childers in November is already sold out at Music In the Mill in Hickory. It’s a safe bet that anyone who got to experience any one of these three shows quickly gobbled up any available tickets for his return.