Charles Wesley Godwin’s latest album, Christian Name, released Friday (July 24) on Big Loud Records, is a profound exploration of resilience, faith, and the transformative power of profound personal loss, marking a significant evolution in the West Virginia singer-songwriter’s artistic journey. The project, heavily influenced by a deeply personal tragedy, finds Godwin collaborating with a wider circle of esteemed Nashville songwriters to navigate themes of sorrow, hope, and enduring spirit.
The genesis of Christian Name is inextricably linked to the stillbirth of Godwin’s third child, a son named Samuel, in August 2022. The nearly two years that have passed since this devastating event have fundamentally reshaped Godwin’s perspective, imbuing his music with a newfound depth and empathy. “I’m just different than I was before,” Godwin stated, reflecting on the profound impact of his loss. “It’s made me much more empathetic as a person. Something like that really humbles you. I’m not saying I had my head in the clouds before, either, but something like that really brings you down to earth.”
This deeply personal journey directly influenced the co-writing session for the album’s pivotal track, "Try Again," with acclaimed songwriter Travis Meadows. Godwin described the experience as "the best therapy session you could ever ask for," highlighting how the song’s central message of finding courage to face life with an open heart and unwavering faith emerged from this collaborative process. "Try Again" serves as a poignant anthem for confronting adversity and seeking renewal.
A Shift in Songwriting Approach
Unlike his previous albums, Family Ties (2023) and Seneca (2019), where Godwin largely helmed the songwriting duties himself, Christian Name saw him intentionally seek out the expertise of Nashville’s elite songwriting community. This deliberate choice was driven by a desire for a more balanced and hopeful narrative, particularly in the wake of his personal tragedy. He enlisted the talents of renowned writers such as Meadows, Lori McKenna, Liz Rose, and Stephen Wilson Jr.
“I think I needed help. I needed the help just to be upfront and honest,” Godwin explained, underscoring his need for external perspective. “My co-writers for this album really helped me make a more balanced album, and I think it gave it some more hope. I think if I would’ve solo written this, it would’ve been a really hard listen and very depressing. I think it would’ve been a much harder listen.” This collaborative approach allowed for a richer tapestry of emotional expression, weaving threads of hardship with enduring optimism.
Narratives of Fatherhood and Faith
The album also delves into the complexities of fatherhood, as seen in the track "Hey There, Son." Godwin began writing this song in 2019, coinciding with the birth of his first son, Gabriel. He later completed the song with Lori McKenna in July 2024. The addition of a guest vocal from 25-year-old singer-songwriter Wyatt Flores lends the track a powerful intergenerational resonance, evoking a dialogue between a father and son across a lifetime.
Godwin expressed his admiration for Flores, noting their shared touring experiences and Flores’s burgeoning career. “He’s a friend of mine, and I think he started opening shows for me in 2023. Things have gone incredibly well for him and we play the same size rooms all around the country,” Godwin said. He recognized the unique impact of Flores’s youthful voice, stating, “He’s still very young and has a voice that has a bit more youthfulness to it than mine. I know it’s not the most traditional feature, but I thought it was about as impactful as a feature can be.”
The album’s sonic landscape is further enriched by an opening audio snippet featuring a fervent sermon by coal miner and preacher Dave Stacy. The clip was discovered on YouTube by Godwin’s producer, Al Torrence, who recognized its thematic relevance. “Al knew that the [Biblical] book of Job had been something that was important to me these past couple of years, and he pulled that clip of Dave talking about the Book of Job for the intro,” Godwin recalled. The process of securing permission to use the sermon involved a determined effort to locate Stacy, who is not actively online, highlighting the dedication to authentic storytelling that permeates the album.
A Journey Through Diverse Influences and Locations
In a departure from his previous recording methods, which often involved extended sessions at single studios like Echo Mountain Studios in North Carolina for Family Ties, Godwin recorded Christian Name across various locations between tour dates. This nomadic approach, spanning New York, Tennessee, California, and other stops over the past year, mirrors the transient nature of life on the road and perhaps the search for solace and meaning.
The album features one outside cut, a rendition of Tony Lane’s "Gospel of the South." Godwin shared that listening to Lane’s 2017 self-titled album provided him with comfort during the challenging period his wife and he were experiencing. “I was listening to that Tony Lane record as my wife and I were going through everything and that was kind of like my comfort, listening to that album,” he said. He believes the song beautifully encapsulates the essence of rural American culture.
The album’s title track, penned by Godwin in 2023, along with the album cover art, pays homage to his grandfather, Charles Godwin, a World War II veteran and later a Methodist preacher. While the title Christian Name might suggest a overtly religious tone, the album’s essence lies more in its testament to holding onto faith amidst profound life changes. Godwin hopes the album will resonate with a broad audience, offering solace and a positive takeaway regardless of their personal beliefs. “I hope it makes everybody feel better,” he expressed. “No matter if somebody is a Christian or if they’re on the fence or if they don’t believe at all, I hope everybody takes something positive from this album. I hope that if other people are going through something in their life that’s causing them a lot of heartache, I would love it if this album somehow would make them feel better.”
Moments of Levity and Breakthrough Success
Amidst the profound introspection, Christian Name also incorporates moments of levity and character-driven storytelling. "God’s Been Good To Me," co-written with Aaron Raitiere, and "Hallelujah High," a collaboration with Scooter Carusoe, inject a sense of joy and community into the album. "Hallelujah High," in particular, paints a vivid picture of colorful characters found in a small-town church, a setting familiar to Godwin, who still resides in Morgantown, West Virginia.
“It’s kind of a relief on the album,” Godwin said of "Hallelujah High." “I still live in Morgantown, West Virginia and grew up here and you run into all kinds of characters in West Virginia. That’s part of the beauty of a small community, is you have those unique characters that get to be part of your life. I think some people will be like, ‘Oh, I know somebody like that,’ or ‘There used to be someone at the store every week that reminded me of that Harley guy.’”
The album has already yielded significant commercial success, with the track "Better That Way," featuring Luke Combs, marking Godwin’s first hit at country radio. The song has climbed to No. 51 on Billboard’s Country Airplay chart, signifying a new level of mainstream recognition for the artist.
Godwin recalled the swift collaboration with Combs, a two-time CMA Entertainer of the Year winner. “We finished writing the song in July of last year and I had a feeling as soon as we had it finished,” he explained. “I texted [Luke] on a Thursday night and he got back to me Saturday morning, said he loved the song and would love to do it. It’s been huge having him on that. I’ve never had anything that quite fit the format. It’s just now starting to do its thing at radio and that’s been a fun, new experience. I’m 13 years into this [career] and now getting to play a show in a city and we invite radio people out to the show and get to meet them and let them hear the music.”
Looking Ahead: The Art of Storytelling
Currently, Godwin is embarking on his headlining Christian Name tour, with additional opening slots for Kacey Musgraves and Dylan Gossett scheduled for the fall. Reflecting on his future creative endeavors, Godwin expressed a desire to explore songwriting from a more imaginative standpoint, moving beyond intensely personal narratives. “I’m looking forward to enjoying crafting some songs and not having it be such a personal thing because I really do love songwriting. I’m just going to enjoy making some songs and making up some stories and just enjoying the process.” This forward-looking perspective suggests a continued evolution for an artist who has masterfully transformed profound personal challenges into a compelling and hopeful body of work.
