The Chronicles of Alex

It’s me… I am the sad cowboy. 

I am a sucker for some nostalgic country folk music, and Charles Wesley Godwin has had me in a choke hold for nearly six years now. From Seneca to Family Ties to Lonely Mountain Town and everything in between, the music tells the stories of people – just your everyday, average American (Appalachian) people. His stories generally feature his family and the community he grew up in, but he also crafts stories loosely based on his community rooted in cultural influences. I think that is what makes Godwin’s music so cathartic. 

He dreamt of playing football for the University of West Virginia but quickly realized this was not going to come to fruition. So, he picked up learning guitar and singing as a hobby and outlet – some could say he is a hobby, hobby, hobby boy. Learning something new helps redirect the mind. Over time, Godwin found his sound and stuck to it. He didn’t force himself into a vocal range he didn’t match or style he couldn’t give proper due to. 

He is a calm man telling the stories of people aided by simple strings and slow rhythms. He has stayed true to his voice and sound – keeping close to his Appalachian roots. Not branching into a sound he isn’t makes him and his music real. Raw story telling dragged me under and hasn’t let me up since. I love listening to lyrics and learning the story every song tells – not just Godwin’s songs. 

I appreciate that he doesn’t want to glorify things that aren’t good for society or community. I think this is another reason, aside from raw storytelling, I am drawn to his music, and he has created loyal followers. I am not from Eastern Kentucky or any region of Appalachia myself, but I appreciate this, since I grew up seeing that region. He shares love through his music, not only of his family and friends, but of where he came from, which is so pertinent to his style and depth. He takes great influence from John Prine and Willine Nelson – both kings I might add – since he was surrounded by their sound as he grew up.

I think his story is neat, and his truth to himself and his roots is admirable. So, with a bit of background, I share a few of my favorite songs by him. I won’t really do an analysis of them, because I am just a listener not a dissector of music. 

Some noteworthy tunes:

• Hardwood Floors: On Seneca album. MY FAVORITE SONG. A moment and making a memory with the person you love. No matter how big or small the activity is, it’s a good memory. This is my favorite song to belt in the kitchen!
• Strong: On How the Mighty Fall album. RESILIENCE. Fight for what you want in this life. Get fired up. Time to get stronger. AND Steve Prefontaine is mentioned… 
• Cranes of Potter: On How the Mighty Fall album. A post-Civil War story. He made Claire’s story after hearing about a story in the news. A body was found when ground was being broken for a natural gas facility in the Potter Township. This was actually the first Charle’s Wesley Godwin song I ever heard many years ago, and where I fell in love with his story telling.
• Dance in Rain: On Family Ties album. Song to his daughter. Just a dad imparting his wisdom and hoping he’s taught his daughter well. I think all dad’s just want the best for their kids and hope they’ve crafted some sort of dignified human that is true to themselves. 
• Seneca Creek: On Seneca album. Song about his grandparents. Their story. A very real and human experience of the ups and downs of life and being with one person through it all. Life isn’t easy, but it’s who is there by your side through it all.

Honorable mentions:

• Half a Heart
• Anything on the Lonely Mountain Town EP
• Miner Imperfections
• Coal Country
• I Don’t Want You and Blue As Water are collaborations with Hailey Whitters and Philip Bowen, respectively.

When Godwin was struggling to write and was doubting things, his father-in-law had the following words of wisdom: “You can only control what you can control. You’re put on this earth to write songs. Go to the notebook. Follow your heart. It’ll work out.” And that is what I will leave this post with. Godwin’s music is cathartic and reminds me of bigger things than myself, which grounds me. So. Follow your heart. It’ll work out. It’ll work out.