Charles Wesley Godwin & The Allegheny High uplift a lively, sold-out Stage AE

Scott Tady, Beaver County Times
·3 min read
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PITTSBURGH - Charles Wesley Godwin wrote another chapter in his flourishing musical legacy Saturday, satisfying an exuberant crowd at a sold-out Stage AE.

The Morgantown country-folk singer and his trusty, rocking band The Allegheny High ― five Beaver County guys and a Pittsburgher ― delivered high energy and sharp songcraft in a 22-song set of fan-favorite originals, several well-received covers and brand-new material from a forthcoming third album.

Charles Wesley Godwin singing at a sold-out Stage AE.
Charles Wesley Godwin singing at a sold-out Stage AE.

A film crew captured it all but will need to edit out the swear-word-laced, anti-Pitt sports chants emanating in multiple instances from beer-emboldened WVU fans.

The video production crew had to be thrilled, though, with the footage they collected, such as:

*Allegheny High's white cowboy-hat-wearing guitarist Al Torrence, of Beaver, leaping off a railing, grinding guitar notes from atop a piano, and enthusiastically squaring off to face Godwin for some double-barrel six-string riffage.

More:My Favorite Guitar: Al Torrence shares the story of his favorite instrument

Al Torrence, guitarist for Charles Wesley Godwin, at a sold-out Stage AE.
Al Torrence, guitarist for Charles Wesley Godwin, at a sold-out Stage AE.

*Bassist Nate Catanzarite, a Blackhawk grad, and drummer Joe Pinchotti, of New Brighton, blazing a thrilling tempo on "Blood Feuds," a song about peaceful people pushed to extremes when needing to protect their family.

Nate Catanzarite of Beaver County playing bass for Charles Wesley Godwin & The Allegheny High.
Nate Catanzarite of Beaver County playing bass for Charles Wesley Godwin & The Allegheny High.
Charles Wesley Godwin gave high praise to his Allegheny High band drummer, Joe Pinchotti.
Charles Wesley Godwin gave high praise to his Allegheny High band drummer, Joe Pinchotti.

*Max Somerville, a Hopewell native, with the fleet-fingered piano notes, especially on the standard "Rollin' in My Sweet Baby's Arms," which kicked off the two-song encore.

*Eric Dull, of New Brighton, demonstrating versatility playing guitar, mandolin and horn.

All the above Beaver County-ites sounded cohesive and tight ― like the road warriors they've become ― while looking comfortable, loose and utterly joyful, with smiles in abundance.

Read Conolly's pedal steel playing satiated authentic country appetites with tangible twang on songs like 2019's "Coal Country." He added dobro on the up-tempo "Two Weeks Gone," an original Godwin's been wood-shedding for nearly a year, set to appear on that third album. It could be that radio breakout they deserve. Conolly and Godwin stayed alone on stage for another new one, "West of Lonesome," with Godwin going solo on the next pick, "Seneca Creek," showcasing his sturdy, rich voice.

More:Godwin & a lot of Beaver County talent playing a (nearly) sold-out Stage AE on Saturday

Charles Wesley Godwin entertaining a full-house Stage AE.
Charles Wesley Godwin entertaining a full-house Stage AE.

From the cinematic country-western "Gas Well" to "Shrinks & Pills" with a bit of an Allman Brothers adventuresomeness, Godwin and The Allegheny High covered a range of pleasurable music terrain.

As he did at the band's performance last September opening for Zach Bryan at an outdoor Stage AE packed to its 5,500-person capacity, Godwin kept his banter humble with homespun philosophizing, as when again advising single fellas to "lock it down" if they've got a good-hearted woman.

In a nod to his West Virginia roots, Godwin led a cover of Brad Paisley's "Mud on The Tires," apologizing afterward for flubbing a chorus.

This wall-to-wall turnout of 2,400 people stayed till 11:15 p.m. and the second and final encore song, John Denver's "Take Me Home, Country Roads," relishing the chance to sing along proudly. The night's national opening act, Kentucky country singer Cole Chaney and his bandmates came out on stage and joined in on harmonies, returning the favor for Godwin joining them two hours earlier on their set-closer "Back to Kentucky."

Cole Chaney in his warmup set at Stage AE.
Cole Chaney in his warmup set at Stage AE.

Chaney's real-deal Appalachian sound resonated with Godwin fans.

Cole Chaney's fiddle player entertaining a Stage AE audience.
Cole Chaney's fiddle player entertaining a Stage AE audience.

More:Charles Wesley Godwin's West Virginia roots (and Beaver County ties) taking him far

Pittsburgh's indie-folk band Ferdinand The Bull launched the show and seemed to fare well for the rambunctious crowd there from the jump.

Ferdinand The Bull, an indie-folk band from Pittsburgh, launched the show.
Ferdinand The Bull, an indie-folk band from Pittsburgh, launched the show.

Those who were there will be talking about this show years from now, with hopeful eyes on Godwin's ascent in the country music industry.

Godwin & The Allegheny High have earned the right to headline theaters and major concert clubs, while their best days seem ahead.

Charles Wesley Godwin entertaining Feb. 4 at Stage AE, Pittsburgh.
Charles Wesley Godwin entertaining Feb. 4 at Stage AE, Pittsburgh.

Scott Tady is entertainment editor at The Times and easy to reach at stady@timesonline.com.

This article originally appeared on Beaver County Times: Charles Wesley Godwin & The Allegheny High uplift a sold-out Stage AE