Newport

A native of West Virginia, Charles Wesley Godwin makes cinematic country-folk thats as gorgeousand ruggedly raw as his homeland. Its Appalachian Americana, rooted in Godwins sharpsongwriting and backwoods baritone. With 2021sHowthe Mighty Fall, he trades theautobiographical lyrics that filledSeneca his acclaimeddebut, released in 2019 and celebrated byeveryone fromRolling Stoneto NPRsMountain Stage for a collection of character-driven songsabout mortality, hope, and regret, putting an intimate spin on the universal concerns we all share.I started a family around the time Seneca came out, he remembers. After my son was born, I remember sitting in the hospital, thinking about how that very experience would eventuallybecome one of those life moments that flash before my eyes when Im old. I realized that timeis passing, and my time will pass, too. Becoming a father made it all sink in.Those realizations quickly found their way into his writing. If Seneca painted the picture of a southernson in the middle of American coal country, thenHowthe Mighty Fall produced once again by Al Torrence zooms out to focus on wider themes of time, transience, and the choices we make.Songs like Strong Bones and Blood Feud are roadhouse roots-rockers, driven forward by fieryfiddle, lap steel and plenty of electric guitar. Godwin does most of his painting with more subtleshades, though, often waiting until How the Mighty Falls softer moments to make his biggest impact. On Cranes of Potter, he delivers a murder ballad with finger-plucked acoustic guitar and elegiacmelodies, unspooling the narrative with a storytellers restraint. Meanwhile, Temporary Town findshim returning to West Virginia after spending five years in the midwest, celebrating his homecomingnot with barely-contained enthusiasm, but with measured excitement, light percussion, and asteadily-building arrangement.I try to write with a sense of place, he explains. Up until now, that setting has always been myhome, but I dont think this new album is as locally-focused as my previous release. I hope thesesongs will connect with people wherever they live.The son of a coal miner father and a schoolteacher mother, Godwin began forging those musicalconnections in 2013, while studying abroad in Estonia. Hed learned the acoustic guitar severalyears earlier, looking for a diversion after failing to secure a spot on the West Virginia Universityfootball team. Halfway across the world in Estonia, he started strumming songs in his apartment,summoning the sights and sounds of West Virginia for a group of new friends whod never laid eyeson the state. Fans were made, gigs were booked, and Godwin launched his full-time music careershortly after graduation.Marriage soon took him to Ohio, where his wife worked as a fundraiser. Even so, West Virginiaremained at the forefront of Godwins mind, and he saluted the areas influence with his 2019 debut.Senecawas a hit, withBillboardpraising the albumsthe vivid language and scenic ambience, andRolling Stoneenthusing, His voice, with its tight,old-world vibrato, is perfect.

See Charles Wesley Godwin in Newport

Newport, KY

United States Of America

The Southgate House Revival - Sanctuary

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Charles Wesley Godwin

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