Willi Carlisle and a puppet Tyler Childers just made a wacky gas station run in a new video for “Gas Station,” the title track from Carlisle’s upcoming album The Universal Bubba. The video, directed by Mike Vanata of Western AF, features Carlisle wandering through a roadside stop alongside puppet versions of Childers and his band the Food Stamps. It’s a silly premise, but the story behind it is far more interesting than the rubber chickens suggest.
The song is a co-write between Carlisle, Kenny Miles, and Childers. It’s about finding your identity on the road and away from convention, even when your meal consists of questionable hot dogs. The video captures that spirit with a rambling Carlisle and his puppet companions, complete with Childers’ signature green cardigan.
How the Song Came Together
“This record came together by luck, passion, and circumstance,” Carlisle told Rolling Stone about the making of The Universal Bubba. He recalled sitting down with Childers during his run opening for him, playing old-time fiddle music together, and talking about Childers’ song “Tomcat and a Dandy” from his album Snipe Hunter.
“It truly was just a fun time, an Appalachian and an Ozark guy picking tunes, sharing folk music,” Carlisle said.
The writing of “Gas Station” itself began as a solo effort from Carlisle. Then Childers walked into the studio with a guitar in hand, no shoes, a little haggard, and an idea. He took Carlisle’s simple blues progression and changed the feel, making it more direct and honest.
“We stood, started singing, changing words here and there, agreeing and disagreeing,” Carlisle said. “We kept shaping verses, agreeing that my choruses were working. Suddenly I realized, this was a cowrite! But the red light was already on, the tape rolling. We were writing and recording at the same time. Wild as hell.”
The Puppet Band
The video leans into the absurdity of a musician performing with life-sized puppets. It’s a visual gag that could easily fall flat, but the chemistry between Carlisle and the puppet Childers reads as genuine. The Food Stamps, who also played on the album, are represented as puppets throughout the video, adding to the whimsical tone.
Comparing the Two Versions
| Element | Puppet Version | Recorded Track |
|---|---|---|
| Format | Video | Recording |
| Setting | Roadside gas station | Studio |
| Participants | Carlisle and puppets | Carlisle and Childers |
| Tone | Whimsical, theatrical | Direct, honest |
The video captures the theatrical side of the collaboration, while the recording process described by Carlisle shows the moment of realization that this was a shared creation.
The Album’s Story
The Universal Bubba is the first record, other than his own, that Childers has produced. It’s full of vivid stories that paint the human experience in all of its beauty, hardship, and occasional artery-clogging meals. The album is set for release on Nov. 6 via Signature Sounds.
The record is described as a collection of stories that explore the human experience across its highs and lows, with some questionable meals along the way.
A Joyful Mess
The video’s joy is infectious. Carlisle’s rambling delivery and the puppet band create a warm, lived-in atmosphere. It’s the kind of video that rewards repeated views.
The song itself carries the weight of the cowriting process, and the video captures the moment of realization that this was a shared creation.
The Bottom Line
This is a contender for the best video of the year. It’s a joyous, messy, and genuinely funny piece of work that captures the creative spark between two friends. The puppet concept could have been a gimmick, but it lands as a genuine expression of the song’s themes.
The video is a reminder that sometimes the best art comes from accidents and circumstance. Carlisle and Childers stumbled into a cowrite, recorded it live, and ended up with something special.
The VMAs may have passed, but this video just arrived. It’s a worthy addition to the running tally of great videos released this year.
Source material: “See Willi Carlisle and a Puppet Tyler Childers Make a Wacky Gas Station Run in New Video,” Rolling Stone.
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