Tyler Halverson Raises A Glass With ‘In Defense Of Drinking’

Tyler Halverson releases his full-length album ‘In Defense Of Drinking’ today via CMDSHFT, delivering a set rooted in heartbreak, grit, and hard-earned honesty. The South Dakota-born, Nashville-based outlaw songwriter brings together fan favorites like “Beer Garden Baby” featuring Parker McCollum and “Like The Rodeo” featuring Wade Forster alongside six new tracks, including the striking title cut. It is a record built on lived experience and straight-shooting reflection.

On the title track, Halverson shares, “The hook being ‘I’m the reason that I’m lonely, drinking’s the excuse,’ is a hard hitting truth.” He adds, “This album is all heartbreak and hopefulness. You’ve been unlucky in love, but still long for it.” The songs move between recklessness and redemption, capturing desire, doubt, and the push to grow.

Raised in Canton, South Dakota, Halverson blends ranch life roots with influences ranging from Merle Haggard and Garth Brooks to Mac Miller and Drake. That mix shapes a sound that honors tradition while charging forward. With steady acoustics, steel guitar, and a rough-hewn vocal, tracks like “Like The Rodeo” wrestle with love, ambition, and life on the move.

Halverson continues touring through 2026, including dates with Parker McCollum and a February 26 stop at Gottscheer Hall in Ridgewood, New York. With ‘In Defense Of Drinking,’ he plants his flag firmly in the modern outlaw lane and keeps the road calling.

2026 TOUR DATES:

Jan 5 Mon – Steamboat Springs, CO – The Musicfest Steamboat 2026
Feb 5 Thu – University, MS – Pavilion at Ole Miss*
Feb 6 Fri – Lexington, KY – Rupp Arena*
Feb 7 Sat – Salem, VA – Salem Civic Center*
Feb 12 Thu – Winston Salem, NC – Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum*
Feb 13 Fri – Auburn University, AL – Auburn Arena*
Feb 14 Sat – Savannah, GA – Enmarket Arena
Feb 26 Fri – Ridgewood, NY – Gottscheer Hall

*with Parker McCollum

IN DEFENSE OF DRINKING TRACK LIST:

  1. More Hearts Than Horses
  2. Beer Garden Baby (ft. Parker McCollum)
  3. 8 Second High
  4. Fort Worth Losing
  5. Smoke You Out
  6. In Defense of Drinking
  7. Like The Rodeo (ft. Wade Forster)
  8. Cowboy Babies
  9. Old Men, Younger Women
  10. The Dreamer
  11. Son, Brother, Believer