Mountaineer Ties

Inside the historic Metropolitan Theatre in Morgantown, W.Va., Charles Wesley Godwin sat alone, accompanied only by his guitar and backpack in his dressing room beneath the stage.

There, he warmed up, playing his songs on the capo'd Martin & Co. six string cradled in his arms, 15 minutes before stepping into the light of the stage. This night was December 15, and the second of four sold-out shows in his hometown.

After warming his fingers on his strings, Godwin would use a few of those 15 minutes to talk with his wife, bandmates and closest supporters before making his journey up the stairs to those lights and a house full of cheering fans.

Godwin is a nationally touring country artist, notably from Morgantown, and a graduate of West Virginia University. Since 2019, he has released three studio albums blending styles of traditional Appalachian folk, contemporary singer-songwriting, and feel-good country rock. His most recent album, “Family Ties”, released in September, encapsulates the importance of those close to him, including his family and even the state as a whole.

While studying at WVU, Godwin’s first foray into music came after failed attempts to play football as a walk-on for the Mountaineers. “I read the writing on the wall, and gave that up and picked up guitar as a hobby,” Godwin remarked about the origins to his music career.

A recipient of The Promise Scholarship, Godwin also had the opportunity to take up the Study Abroad Program, which allows students to “swap” places with a student from another country while still paying regular tuition and fees at WVU. Ending up in Tartu, Estonia, Godwin added, “When I was over there, that’s where I played my first gig.” Arguably, Godwin was thrust into playing in front of people due to a lack of privacy. “I was forced to play in front of people because I had six flatmates,” he continued.

From there, he found the momentum to continue performing in various gigs in Estonia and back in Morgantown at popular local music locations such as Chic 'n Bones Rhythm Cafe, 123 Pleasant Street and Terra Cafe. “Who knows what would happen without that study abroad and everything? It just seems like things happen the way they’re supposed to.”

After years of touring the country, often with country artist Zach Bryan, Godwin is grateful to return to Morgantown, playing four sold-out shows at the Metropolitan Theatre. “It’s way better than the usual traveling all day and being away from my family,” Godwin said, with a hint of laughter. “If I could play 100 shows a year and just have everyone come to me in town, that would be great. Instead of a Las Vegas Residency someday, I’d just do a Morgantown one!”

When he’s not playing in shows or writing new music, Godwin remains a dedicated fan of the Mountaineers, attending games at Milan Puskar Stadium whenever he can. His new album, “Family Ties” features a track called “Cue Country Roads,” a heavy-hitting song created to be played in stadiums.

“I wrote the song with the Mountaineers in mind, in September of 2019, and we recorded it with the intention of being played in a stadium,” Godwin expressed his gratitude when he heard the song play during a WVU football game. “I’m really glad it’s being used that way by WVU, the UFC and ESPN. I’m still shocked sometimes that things work the way we intended them to, because so much in life doesn’t go that way. So for that song to do exactly what we set out for it to do, it’s a great feeling.”

“ I wrote the song with the Mountaineers in mind ... ”

— Charles Wesley Godwin

As if this isn’t enough testament to his West Virginia pride, another tradition of his is to close out every show by performing “Take Me Home, Country Roads,” which is also featured at the end of “Family Ties.” This was no exception in the Morgantown shows, which also included an appearance from WVU Quarterback Garret Greene on stage with him during the first and final shows. In short, Godwin remarked on what West Virginia means to him, saying, “I’ve been a Mountaineer my entire life. I’m about as connected as you can get to it. I graduated there, I’ve been a fan of them my whole life. I live here now with my family, and raising my kids to be Mountaineer fans.”

Whether he’s at home in Morgantown, touring the country or abroad, Charles Wesley Godwin always represents the state of West Virginia and always finds a way for country roads to take him home.

Active Campus Alert

Keep Reading

February in Review

Feared and Revered: All Eyes On AI

Riding the Waves

From our Archive