Childress grew up with and had played with the original band members of Collective Soul before the group signed to Atlantic Records in early 1994. Over a period of eight years with the band, he recorded on, and toured in support of, five studio albums that have sold over seven million copies and generated seven #1 singles (“Shine,” “The World I Know,” “December,” “Gel,” “Where The River Flows,” “Heavy” and “Run”) on the U.S. Billboard Mainstream Rock charts.

The legendary guitarist and co-founding member of Collective Soul,  hails from Stockbridge, Georgia. As lead guitarist for Collective Soul, Childress' inovative guitar work was heard by millions of fans from around the globe. From 1994 to 2001 Collective Soul received more airtime on the radio than any other band of its era including Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Soundgarden, R.E.M. and Oasis. Childress is considered a pioneer of the alternative rock genre through his indelible work with Collective Soul.  He left the band in September 2001 after the release of the greatest hits compilation 7even Year Itch. 

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During his time with Collective Soul, Childress was known for his metallic guitar sounds and heavy riffs incorporating elements of metal and blues in his playing. Along with songwriter Ed Roland, he penned many of the band's popular "hooks." Childress wrote, sang lead vocals, and performed guitar on the song "Dandy Life" on the 1999 release Dosage. This was the first time that a member other than Ed Roland had sung lead on a studio recording. In 2009, Childress became a member of the Georgia Music Hall of Fame.