Charles Wesley Godwin (born May 18, 1993) is an American country-folk musician from West Virginia.[1]
Charles Wesley Godwin
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Charles Wesley Godwin |
| Born | (1993-05-18) May 18, 1993 (age 31) Morgantown, West Virginia, United States[2] |
| Genres | Country[2] |
| Occupation(s) | Singer-songwriter |
| Instrument(s) |
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| Years active | 2018–present |
| Labels | Big Loud |
| Website | charleswgodwin |
Godwin was born in Morgantown, West Virginia. He played football in high school for Morgantown High School.
Godwin began playing music while studying finance at West Virginia University, where he first learned to play the guitar and practiced songwriting. He describes his musical style as inspired by, "...artists such as Kris Kristofferson, Willie Nelson, John Prine, Chris Knight and Ryan Bingham".[3] His first album, Seneca was released in February 2019, and was met with positive reviews, being described by Saving Country Music as, "...a love letter to West Virginia and the bloodlines from whence he came, and that sense of everlasting love and appreciation is something everyone can relate to, regardless of the setting of their own personal stories."[4]
His second project, How the Mighty Fall, was released in 2021, and also was received positively, being described as less autobiographical, and more focused on telling other people's stories, compared to his previous record.[5]
Godwin has toured with Zach Bryan, whom he collaborated with on Bryan's song “Jamie”, on Bryan's 2022 EP, Summertime Blues.[6]
Godwin released a live EP, Live From the Church, on February 17, 2023. The track list included covers of Chris Knight's "The Jealous Kind" and Bryan's "Crooked Teeth," as well as live versions of several songs from How the Mighty Fall.[7]
He released his third full length studio project, Family Ties, on September 22, 2023. The album was released under the Big Loud label, who signed Godwin in early 2023. Family Ties centers of Godwin's relationship with his family, and includes tributes to many of his close relatives; for example, "Miner Imperfections" honors his father, "All Again" is addressed to his wife, Samantha, and "Dance in the Rain" is addressed to his daughter.[8] “Cue Country Roads”, the 17th song on the album, honors West Virginia University’s tradition of playing John Denver’s “Take Me Home, Country Roads” after sporting event victories. "10-38", written by Godwin, is a direct sequel to Bruce Springsteen's 1982 song, "State Trooper".[9]
Charles was featured on the soundtrack for The Hunger Games: The Ballads of Songbirds & Snakes, with “Winter’s Come and Gone”. The song and film were released on November 17, 2023.
