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 * co-headline with Dylan Gossett # supporting Kacey MusgravesThe post Charles Wesley Godwin & Stephen Wilson Jr. Team Up For Stellar Performance Of “Brand New” At Nashville’s Bluebird Cafe first appeared on Whiskey Riff.