Tyler Hilton is making a stop in Cincinnati on his “Celebrating the Music of One Tree Hill Tour” this month. Known widely for his role as Chris Keller on the CW’s One Tree Hill, Hilton has established himself in the realm of television and music over the past twenty years.
The singer was 16 years old when he sang an acapella version of Jonny Lang’s “Breakin’ Me” on a call with the Mark & Brian Show on KLOS in Los Angeles, which led to him securing a performance at the station’s Christmas concert. This led to him signing a record deal at 18 years old with Maverick Records and eventually releasing his self-titled EP in April 2004.
As a singer, songwriter, actor and author, one of Hilton’s biggest hits – with 14.9 million streams – was a cover of Ryan Adams’ “When the Stars Go Blue” on One Tree Hill that gained him a lot of popularity both during and after the show’s run.
As a musician, Hilton’s husky tone and timeless music that ranges across genres like rock, folk and Americana have captivated fans and audiences around the world at his live performances. In the same year as his acting debut on One Tree Hill, Hilton released his debut album, The Tracks of Tyler Hilton, in September 2004. At just 20 years old, Hilton produced instant classics like the easygoing opening track, “When it Comes,” and the heartfelt “Glad,” which were both featured in the soundtrack for One Tree Hill.
Now, as Hilton makes his way across 10 different countries this year for his tour, he is able to bring both his classic and newer tracks to life in a new way. His blending of raspy vocals and indie rock sounds combined with the sentimental nostalgia felt by each of his songs makes Hilton’s live performances unforgettable.
Tyler Hilton plays Ludlow Garage at 7:30 p.m. on April 10. More info: ludlowgaragecincinnati.com.
This story is featured in CityBeat’s April 2 print edition.
This article appears in Apr 2-8, 2025.
