He doesn’t miss. If you gathered together 50 or so of the most dedicated fans of the alternative country scene, chances are at least a dozen will tell you that Charles Wesley Godwin is one of the best artists working today. With three albums and an EP’s worth of what can only be described as brilliance, the “All Again” singer has proven time and again why he’s one of today’s premier songwriters and voices in the genre. Though it’s hard to ignore his wholly unique vocals, it’s his writing ability that is one of Godwin’s defining characteristics. From murder ballads such as “Cranes Of Potter” and “Blood Feud” to gorgeous tributes to his family on “Gabriel,” “Dance in the Rain” and “It’s The Little Things,” there’s truly not a song the West Virginian can’t write. Of course, these stellar songs are all backed by some killer production that draws upon traditional country, Appalachian folk and Americana stylings. He’d turn heads a few weeks back at Stagecoach when he’d announce that the highly-anticipated “Better That Way,” was coming, featuring none other than superstar Luke Combs. During the performance, Godwin would acknowledge the fact the new album has been in the works for quite awhile at this point before ultimately dropping the bomb that Combs is featured on the track, drawing a huge roar from the Stagecoach crowd. “It’s been two and a half years since our last album; I know that’s too long. But this has been a labor of love, and we turned a new one in in the wintertime. We have the first single on that album coming out on May 15th. It’s called “Better That Way.” I got my buddy Luke Combs on it.” As it turns out, Godwin didn’t just have the single drop incoming last Friday, he’d go ahead and announce the release of his fourth studio album, Christian Name, which is coming out Friday, July 24th. View this post on Instagram Discussing the album, Godwin would admit that the writing process was one of the most difficult yet fulfilling experiences he’s ever gone through. Additionally, he’d give some insight into why he chose the title, Christian Name, explaining that he’s always viewed creating music as his way of glorifying God. “Writing and recording this album over the last two and a half years has been one of the most difficult, yet at the same time, most fulfilling experiences of my life. Music and songwriting have always been my escape. This time, they became a path to healing and a means of glorifying God. I truly cannot wait to share this album with the world, and I hope it helps someone out there the same way it helped me.” As for “Better That Way,” it looks to be a hit for Godwin, especially with one of the biggest artists in the genre, Combs, being featured on it. Though it might be a little more streamlined than the likes of “Cranes of Potter” and “Seneca Creek,, it’s an incredibly fun, rock-solid track that serves as a beautiful ode to both Godwin and Combs’ wives as well as a stellar prelude to the rest that Christian Name has to offer. In fact, Godwin and Co. have already serviced the track to country radio, so here’s to hoping it takes off and gives him the attention from a mainstream perspective he desperately deserves. Just in case the official drop with Combs wasn’t enough for fans of the Appalachian star, he went ahead and dropped a solo, acoustic version on his YouTube channel live from Mountaineer Roasting, a local coffee shop in his hometown of Morgantown, West Virginia. Though the official version is a far cry from being anything close to pop country, I think longtime fans of the West Virginian will prefer this version better. Featuring just Godwin and guitarist/producer, Al Torrence, both on acoustic guitars, the performance harkens back to the early, more stripped back days of Seneca Creek. Like any performance from the “Temporary Town” singer, it’s an absolute stunner and nothing short of a must-watch if you’re a longtime fan. Watch here: The post Charles Wesley Godwin Shares Stunning, Solo Version Of New Luke Combs Duet, “Better That Way” first appeared on Whiskey Riff.