Charles Wesley Godwin: The Rising Star of Country-Folk
Charles Wesley Godwin is a country-folk singer-songwriter from West Virginia, who has been making waves in the independent music scene with his authentic and heartfelt storytelling. His third album, Family Ties, released on September 22, 2023, is his most personal and powerful work yet, as he explores the themes of family, heritage, and legacy through 19 songs that showcase his earthy baritone voice, his poetic lyrics, and his masterful musicianship.
Family Ties is a tribute to Godwin’s roots and his loved ones, as he draws inspiration from his own life experiences and the stories of his ancestors. The title track sets the tone for the album, as Godwin sings about the weight of responsibility and the sense of purpose that he feels as a husband, a father, and a son of Appalachia. He honours his father, a coal miner, in “Miner Imperfections”, a song that acknowledges the flaws and sacrifices of his role model. He dedicates “All Again” to his wife, Samantha, expressing his gratitude and devotion to her. He addresses his son and daughter in “Gabriel” and “Dance in the Rain”, respectively, offering them his guidance and support, while also encouraging them to follow their own dreams. He also pays homage to his home state and its culture in songs like “10-38”, “Two Weeks Gone”, and “Cue Country Roads”, which capture the spirit and the struggles of the people of West Virginia.
Godwin’s storytelling is not limited to his own perspective, however. He also creates vivid characters and scenarios that reflect the universal themes of love, loss, faith, and redemption. In “The Flood”, he poses a moral dilemma of whether to risk one’s life to save a relative who has wronged him. In “Another Leaf”, he narrates the journey of a couple who decide to have another child after losing their first one. In “The Jealous Kind”, he covers a Chris Knight song about a man who regrets his violent actions towards his lover. In “Crooked Teeth”, he collaborates with Zach Bryan, another rising star in the country scene, to deliver a poignant song about addiction and recovery.
The album is produced by Al Torrence, Godwin’s long-time bandmate and friend, who also plays guitar and other instruments on the record. The production is organic and tasteful, highlighting Godwin’s vocals and acoustic guitar, while also adding layers of electric guitar, banjo, mandolin, fiddle, piano, organ, and drums to create a rich and dynamic sound. The album was recorded at Echo Mountain Studios in Asheville, North Carolina, one of Godwin’s dream studios, where he was able to work with some of the best musicians and engineers in the industry.
Family Ties is a remarkable album that showcases Godwin’s growth and maturity as an artist and as a human being. It is an album that celebrates the ties that bind us to our past, our present, and our future, and the values that shape our identity and our destiny. It is an album that resonates with anyone who appreciates honest and soulful music, and who believes in the power of family. It is an album that deserves to be heard and appreciated by a wide audience, as Godwin proves himself to be one of the most talented and genuine voices in country music today.
