Playlist: Charles Wesley Godwin depicts life’s various hardships

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My father toiled in the West Virginia coal mines during the late ’80s. It was a few years before my infant mind was able to imprint such memories. But there is picture evidence of my family’s one-room shack in the billowing hills, cold and stormy, of a lonesome valley outside of Beckley. Of course, that’s right around the time the coal industry made major layoffs or collapsed completely in certain areas of the state. It was a livelihood that was met with suffering and barely getting by, of almost suffocating under the pressure. Americana newcomer and WV native Charles Wesley Godwin knows what that’s like, as he illustrates with his song “Coal Country.”

It’s a breezy fiddle tune that doesn’t skimp on the stunning, raw, brutal truth of what it’s like to live and grow in middle America. Exclusively to B-Sides & Badlands, Godwin constructs an entire playlist around hardship, weaving between songs from Chris Kight and Bruce Springsteen to Nicholas Jamerson and Bob Dylan. Underneath the layers of pain, and yes, tragedy, there are real human beings attempting to find their way in this world and come to terms with the sometimes looming presence of the unknown.

“Coal Country,” kicking off the playlist, samples Godwin’s upcoming new album Seneca, out February 15.

Below, the singer, songwriter and interpreter details each of his evocative song selections.

“Coal Country” by Charles Wesley Godwin

Y’all don’t know what you’re missing outside of West Virginia. We’ve got this little gem called the pepperoni roll.

“Nothing On Me” by Chris Knight

This is perfect for getting in touch with your inner badass. After you listen to this, you might be tough enough to mend your own stab wound…maybe.

“Youngstown” by Bruce Springsteen

After listening to this song, it’ll become real clear why some of the best coaches in America have come out of Youngstown. Tough place with even tougher people.

“Speed Trap Town” by Jason Isbell

This is that last guy in your high school class to move on from the “glory days” to finally start his life.

“Empty” by Ray LaMontagne

The perfect way to articulate your depression in a way that it is the most beautiful thing in the world

“It’s a Long Way to Wheelwright” by Nicholas Jamerson

There’s no place like home, and when you’re driving back to it after a show at 3 am, it can bring you to tears.

“Waitin’ ‘Round to Die” by Townes Van Zandt

A bad childhood can set a human being on a dark dark path. You want to see what that path can look like? Listen to this.

“You’ll Never Leave Harlan Alive” by Darrell Scott

Whatever you do, don’t build your house facing westward down in an east Kentucky holler or else the sun might actually not come up until 10 am. EVER.

“Girl from the North Country” by Bob Dylan (with Johnny Cash)

Poor guy didn’t put a ring on it, but he’s a good sport about it.

“Wish It Was True” by The White Buffalo

TWB reminds us all that we’ve got to look out for those who’ve been the tip of the spear for our country.

Photo Credit: Ashley Stottlemyer

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