Charles Wesley Godwin Announces New Album “Christian Name”
Charles Wesley Godwin is doubling down on himself, doubling down on his family, and doubling down on his faith for his upcoming album Christian Name that could see the beloved songwriter find another level in a career that’s already full of highlights.
Similar to the upcoming album from The Red Clay Strays, it’s not fair to characterize the work as strictly of the Christian or Gospel realm, but Godwin is definitely leaning into those inspirations for what is officially his fourth solo album to be released on July 24th. More specifically, the album comes after a tragic time in the Godwin home after his wife Samatha experienced a stillbirth of the couple’s third child, Samuel. But instead of shaking Godwin’s faith, it steeled it.
“Coming out of that, I recommitted to my faith in God more so than I have at any point in my life. It really changed me,” he says. “The point of this project was to point to God, and let people know He’s really helped me through this time in my life.”
Along with leaning on his faith, Godwin is also leaning on the help of others on Christian Name like never before. Once again the album is produced by his guitar player and bandleader Al Torrance. But where many of Godwin’s songs in the past were solo writes, he worked with some heavy hitters as collaborators, including Lori McKenna, Stephen Wilson Jr., Liz Rose, Aaron Ratiere, Travis Meadows, Tom Douglas, and Scooter Carusoe.
But perhaps the biggest boost Godwin gets on the album is collaborating with Luke Combs on the album’s lead single “Better That Way” (listen below). Like so many other great songwriters, Combs has allowed Godwin to open for him in the past, and was more than happy to lend his voice to a song. Wyatt Flores also appears on the album.
“I had a lot of help with this album — I sought out people and they brought a lot of the hope and the light and the lighter moments of the album,” Godwin says. “That was a lot of their influence. The album needed that.”
He received another helping hand from his late grandfather and namesake, Charles Godwin, who was a Methodist minister, and appears in the background of the album cover.
“These songs really meant a lot to me,” Godwin says. “There’s parts of me and parts of the things that I’ve gone through in the last couple years that are in each and every song on this album.”
Christian Name is now available for pre-save.
TRACK LIST:
1. Sermon [Al Torrence, Dave Stacy]
2. Try Again [Charles Wesley Godwin, Travis Meadows]
3. Better That Way (feat. Luke Combs) [Charles Wesley Godwin, Scooter Carusoe, Al Torrence]
4. Hallelujah High [Charles Wesley Godwin, Scooter Carusoe]
5. Hey There Son (feat. Wyatt Flores) [Charles Wesley Godwin, Lori McKenna]
6. I Caught the Sunrise [Charles Wesley Godwin, Liz Rose]
7. Place I Know [Charles Wesley Godwin, Scooter Carusoe]
8. Street Advice [Charles Wesley Godwin, Scooter Carusoe, Tom Douglas]
9. Every Once in a While [Charles Wesley Godwin, Travis Meadows, Dave Stacy]
10. Christian Name [Charles Wesley Godwin]
11. God’s Been Good to Me [Charles Wesley Godwin, Aaron Raitiere]
12. Gospel of the South [Craig Boyd, Tony Lane, David Cory Lee]
13. Brand New [Charles Wesley Godwin, Stephen Wilson Jr.]
May 15, 2026 @ 7:19 pm
CWG’s “Willing and Able” has an outstanding placement in ep 1 of Dutton Ranch. I’m thrilled the great music will continue to be showcased in this series even without Tyler Sheridan’s participation.
May 15, 2026 @ 8:21 pm
Good for him. I love well done Christian county music. Alan Jackson’s Christian album, Brent Cobb’s, Red Clay Strays’ Christian songs… Excited.
May 16, 2026 @ 4:01 am
This probably won’t be my cup of tea but I’ll always pull for Godwin. I am interested to hear how this comes together with the addition of other song writers.
May 16, 2026 @ 4:09 am
We got “I Caught the Sunrise” when I saw him a few weeks ago. If the rest of the album is as good we’re in for one heck of a great one. Band just keeps getting better every time I get to see them too.
May 16, 2026 @ 6:47 am
That first single veers a little too much into “listical” songwriting for me, but I understand why they would lead with a Luke Combs collab.
Hopefully subsequent releases ahead of the full album will have more “meat on their bones” for me.
May 16, 2026 @ 7:10 am
Charles Wesley…there’s a name to live up to, appropriately, he’s into music.
May 17, 2026 @ 9:29 am
Best hymn writer in history.
May 17, 2026 @ 9:56 am
I’m with ya’, Knight
May 16, 2026 @ 9:10 am
I don’t love the Luke Combs song. The songwriting is too low-effort for CWG and it’s not nearly as catchy as his other questionable tune, “Cue Country Roads.”
May 16, 2026 @ 10:42 am
I heard “Better That Way” live last year. It was much better without Luke Combs.
May 16, 2026 @ 2:25 pm
Better That Way is definitely a radio friendly single, but it’s solid. The other songs he’s teased on Instagram sound more like what we expect from him, so I still have really high hopes for the album.
May 17, 2026 @ 3:50 am
Good track. This is album I am looking forward to hearing. High hopes.
May 17, 2026 @ 1:02 pm
Although the Luke Combs collaboration feels like a bit of a throwaway, the album as a whole sounds delightful. Love the man’s voice and songwriting, and I’m partial to spiritual country songs if they’re well done.
May 18, 2026 @ 7:51 am
Really looking forward to this one. CWG’s one of the most genuine guys in country music. He deserves every bit of success he’s achieved.