Childers releases surprise album

The nine-track release consists mainly of traditional fiddle tracks. The release closes with the title track, an original song that about racism, civil unrest and police brutality.

Childers also released a six-minute video message to accompany the song. All profit from the album will be used to support underserved communities in the Appalachian region, through Childers' Hickman Holler Appalachian Relief Fund.

"We can stop being so taken aback by Black Lives Matter. If we didn't need to be reminded, there would be justice for Breonna Taylor, a Kentuckian like me, and countless others."

"Love each other, no exceptions," Childers said in closing. "And remember united we stand, divided we fall."

He talked about the problem of "being unable to empathize" with others. He urged white people to self-reflect on these times. Childers also talked on different instances where people have been shot or beat up for little reason.

He said he had planned to release an Old Time music album and let it stand on its own.

Childers and his bandmate Jesse Wells curated a modern string band known as "The Pickin' Crew." This group of Americana artists included Dom Flemons, 5-string Kentucky banjo specialist John Haywood, mandolinist Andrew Marlin, guitarist Josh Oliver, upright bassist John R. Miller, fiddler Chloe Edmonstone and cellist Cecelia Wright.