Performing the track they wrote together for the first time live.

There’s no doubt that the alternative country scene is not only the most popular that it’s ever been, but also arguably the most talented as well. While it seems as if the likes of Zach Bryan, Tyler Childers and Sturgill Simpson have risen to the top in popularity, countless other acts have proven time and time again that they deserve to be put into these conversations as well. Of course, you can look to the likes of Whiskey Myers, Flatland Cavalry, Colter Wall, Shane Smith & the Saints and more.

Despite there being so much talent, when it comes to who many rank as some of the best in the business, few are doing it the way that Stephen Wilson Jr. and Charles Wesley Godwin have been over the past few years.

For Wilson Jr., casual country fans were most likely introduced to him during his stunning cover of “Stand By Me” at the 2025 CMA Awards, With that being said, many fans of the independent scene have been quite familiar with Stephen Wilson Jr. over the past few years. After delivering his stellar debut on his bon aqua EP, featuring the likes of “American Gothic” and “Year to Be Young 1994,” in June of 2023, Wilson Jr. made himself known in a big way just six months later with his mammoth, 22-track debut album, Søn of Dad.

Simply put, the album was nothing short of a stunner, mixing elements of country, grunge, gothic folk, rock and more. And he’s showing no signs of slowing down any time soon, catching fire late last year with “Gary” and following it up with “Preacher’s Kid” back in June.

As for Godwin, there’s absolutely no denying that he’s a certified star in today’s alt. country scene. With four incredible studio records under his belt, continual placement on high-profile festivals throughout the year and high praise from his peers, fans and critics alike, the West Virginia native has cemented himself as a staple throughout multiple subgenres/scenes in the genre.

Last Friday, the “Temporary Town” singer delivered once again and dropped an absolute gem of an album, Christian Name, which is packed to the brim with stellar tracks such as his collaboration with Luke Combs, “Better That Way,” “God’s Been Good To Me,” the tear-jerker with Wyatt Flores, “Hey There Son,” and more.

Another one of the record’s standouts is none other than the closing track, “Brand New,” which was written by both Godwin and Wilson Jr. Despite the “I’m A Song” singer not being featured on the album cut of the song, the two teamed up last night at The Bluebird Cafe in Nashville for an intimate performance.

After Godwin delivered a stunning, stripped-back version of the chorus, Wilson Jr. commanded the second verse and chorus.

Unsurprisingly, he sounds absolutely stunning, adding his signature gritty vocals to the track centered around the redemption found by placing trust in the Lord

“I said goodbye to that guy, there’s something different in my eyes
In the morning mirror I’m peering into
Dug a hole for myself, was a grave and not a well
And it was hell that I should’ve fell into”

It would be an absolute disservice if we never hear a full studio version of these two on “Brand New;” their performance here at Bluebird is simply too good.

Charles Wesley Godwin 2026 Tour Dates

Aug 4 – San Francisco, CA- Regency

Aug 6 – Sacramento, CA – Channel 24

Aug 7 – Los Angeles, CA – The Wiltern

Aug 8 – San Diego, CA – SOMA

Aug 13 – Tucson, AZ – Rialto

Aug 14 – Phoenix, AZ – Van Buren

Aug 21 – Burlington, VT – Higher Ground

Aug 22 – Toronto, ON – History

Aug 27 – Oklahoma City, OK – Criterion

Aug 28 – Lubbock, TX – Cook’s Garage*

Aug 29 – New Braunfels, TX – Whitewater Amphitheater*

Sept 11 – Baltimore, MD – Pier Six

Sept 12 – Boston, MA – Roadrunner

Sept 17 – Landmark Theatre – Syracuse, NY

Sept 18 – Philadelphia, PA – Fillmore

Sept 23 – Kansas City, MO – T-Mobile Center#

Sept 26 – Nashville, TN – The Pinnacle*

Sept 29 – New York, NY – The Rooftop at Pier 17*

Sept 30 – Atlanta, GA – State Farm Arena#

Oct 1 – Raleigh, NC – Red Hat Amphitheater*

Oct 9 – North Charleston, SC – Riverfront Revival

Oct 15 – Morrison, CO – Red Rocks Amphitheatre

Oct 17 – Garden City, ID – Revolution Concert House

Oct 18 – Portland, OR – Crystal Ballroom

Oct 21 – Spokane, WA – Knitting Factory

Oct 22 – Seattle, WA – SoDo

Oct 24 – Vancouver, BC – Orpheum Theater

Nov 5 – Royal Oak, MI – Royal Oak Music Theatre

Nov 6 – Charleston, WV – Charleston Coliseum

Nov 7 – Cincinnati, OH – MegaCorp Pavilion

Nov 12 – Chicago, IL – Salt Shed

Nov 13 – Milwaukee, WI – Riverside

Nov 14 – St. Louis, MO – Factory

source: https://www.whiskeyriff.com/