For anyone who hasn’t heard it, the song tells of the titular character, a hard drinkin’, gamblin’, and cheatin’ sort of fella, who finds the Lord and is welcomed enthusiastically into the church. It was written by Dallas Frazier and Sanger Shafer, and first recorded by Johnny Russell in 1978. It was subsequently cut by the Oak Ridge Boys, the Gaither Family, and any number of other acts in both bluegrass and gospel music.
The Brothers are a trio, featuring Jonathan and William Goodwin, and their childhood friend and longtime singing partner Chase Bush. All three grew up in eastern Kentucky where they honed their vocal sound, but now make their living in and around Nashville. Their sound is highly polished, and given to an acoustic country type of bluegrass, focusing strongly on tight, three-part harmony.
Here they are complemented by the lovely voice of bluegrass icon Dale Ann Bradley, who not only sings the high part, she also splits some verses with the boys.
Even if you’ve heard this song many times, it’s worth your while to give this one a listen as well.
There’s no mistaking the emphatic emotions and outright exuberance that typifies the music made by the Goodwin Brothers. Granted, their timing may have been a bit troublesome, especially considering they relaunched themselves in 2020 while the pandemic was in full throttle. Nevertheless, their video tribute to The Osborne Brothers, their musical heroes, struck a nerve with any number of influential individuals, among them, such important and iconic taste-makers as Dan Tyminski, Doyle Lawson, Sonya Isaacs, Ronnie Reno, and even Sonny Osborne himself.
Not that the brothers are newcomers by any means. The two siblings began performing together in the early ’90s at incredibly young ages. Jonathan was eight and William was six, yet even before that they had been singing separately in church, school plays, and various other events. Neither had yet reached their teens when they released their first album in 1999, at which time they began making a name for themselves on the festival circuit throughout the eastern US.
The current Goodwin Brothers band — brothers Jonathan and William (vocals, guitar, mandolin) and Kenneth (Chase) Bush (washboard, vocals) — have not only followed through on that early promise, courtesy of their new Pinecastle Records outing, If You Hadn’t Noticed, but have also managed to enlist an impressive cast of stellar support musicians to help them in their new endeavor. Sammy Shelor, Russ Carson, and Scott Vestal contribute banjo, fiddle comes courtesy of Michael Cleveland, Aubrey Haynie, and Jim VanCleve, Josh Swift and Rob Ickes play dobro, Eric Darken’s on percussion, Mark Fain, Curtis Vestal, and Gary Lunn lend support on bass, and Shaun Richardson and Cody Kilby add additional guitars.
The result is a stunning set of songs, one that reflects a decided vigor and vitality. Midnight Train, Down to the Mill, Barefoot Girl, and Everyday Thing are prime examples, each a rousing repast swept along by a flurry of picking, plucking, and vibrant harmonies that fully express the obvious and inherent enthusiasm. On the other hand, songs such as Fall of the Year, Bottom of the Holler, Monday Morning, and Send It Down dig deep into more tender and touching territory, and leave an equally striking impression in their wake.
The songs come from a variety of outside sources, but the only attempt to ply the familiarity factor comes via a cover of Shady Grove. It hardly matters though; in every case, the brothers manage to make the music their own.
The album title bodes well. Those that hadn’t noticed by now, will likely find reason to take notice in the future.
The native Kentuckians, two actual brothers and a childhood friend, are in a celebratory mood this week after taking three trophies over the weekend at The Josie Awards in Nashville, which celebrates independent artists. Their previous single, Everyday Thing, was chosen as the Bluegrass Song of The Year, Chase Bush was named Vocalist of the Year, and Jonathan Goodwin Guitar Player of The Year.
Speaking jointly along with William Goodwin, the band said of the awards…
“We are always honored to be recognized for the music we create. Big thanks to the JMAs, the Grand Ole Opry House and everyone that took the time to vote for us. We truly appreciate everyone’s support!”
The new single is one called Down to the Mill, written by Tim Stafford and Thomm Jutz, and delivered by the Brothers with a distinct New Grass Revival vibe. William Goodwin is on mandolin and brother Jonathan on guitar, with Sammy Shelor on banjo, Aubrey Haynie on fiddle, and Mark Fain on bass. Chase Bush sings the lead with harmony from the Goodwins.
It’s a feel good, down home kind of song that’s easy to sing along to.
The Goodwin Brothers have just released a music video for their current single, Everyday Thing, a perfect example of their countryfied grass sound… or is it grassified country? Either way, it’s a super positive vibe that comes across well in this upbeat video which was filmed near where the brothers grew up in Preston, KY.
The Goodwin Brothers are siblings Jonathan and Will Goodwin, with their childhood best friend Chase Bush. Their specialty is the soaring three-part harmonies that make their live shows a must see event.
For the Everyday Thing video, Matthew Hyatt was brought in to film with Jonathan directing. It is set in the old country store in Preston, which was a big part of the Goodwin’s childhood, and has a legendary status in their part of eastern Kentucky. Roni Stoneman got married on the front porch, and the locals line up for their Preston Steak Sandwich, two slices of white bread with a thick slice of Kahn’s bologna.
Jonathan remembers the store fondly, and shared a few special touches they inserted while filming.
“When Will and I were teenagers, we spent a lot of time in this store. We lived only about a mile away during our teenage years.
There are a lot of hidden treasures throughout the video. For example, banjoist, Jr. Williams is sharpening my grandpa’s knife. Jeremy (the lead actor) pulls out a wallet that belonged to our grandfather. He and Kisha (the female actress) are carrying an old egg basket that was used on our family farm growing up. Also,if you look closely at the counter before the couple pays for their items, you can see pictures including those of our grandparents, the house that Will and I lived in during our early childhood, and a picture of our maternal great-grandparents.”
Eagle-eyed bluegrass lovers will recognize Elmer Burchette playing the car salesman in the beginning of the video, and Mike Anglin serving up sandwiches in the store. Kisha Royse of Kisha’s Hidden Coverage plays the wife and Jeremy Toler the husband in the couple who are seen throughout, and Will and Jonathan’s dad, David ‘Goose’ Goodwin, is the cashier.
The Goodwin Brothers stay true to a hallowed bluegrass tradition, one birthed in Kentucky, and following in the footsteps of those notable statemates that have formed the essence of modern bluegrass and country music— Bill Monroe, Loretta Lynn, Ricky Skaggs, Keith Whitley, and, more recently, Chris Stapleton and Tyler Childers, among the many.
Veteran performer and longtime industry insider Mark Newton was so taken with the band that he opted to manage them and promote the group as they make their way forward.
Although the current band has only been in existence since 2020, each of the members of the trio —Jonathan and William Goodwin (vocals, guitar and mandolin) along with Kenneth (Chase) Bush (vocals) — have accumulated individual experience in various realms prior to their connection. Jonathan and William began their musical journeys as children in the early ’90s, when Jonathan was eight and younger brother William was six. They accumulated their stage experience early on, singing in church, performing in school plays, and participating in other public events. They released their first studio album in 1999, when Jonathan was 14 and William 12, and subsequently made their name on the bluegrass festival circuit across the eastern US. Their eponymous debut as a threesome won widespread critical acclaim, and paved the way for their exuberant and exhilarating new single, Everyday Thing, with an album due to follow. Set for release this Friday, April 14, the single offers another ideal example of the Goodwin’s gift for melody and, of course, their soaring and effusive harmonies and outstanding instrumental ability.
Johnathan Goodwin could be considered the de-facto leader of the band, having been involved in the music industry as a Grammy-nominated engineer, producer, and veteran southern gospel artist and session player in his own right. He graciously agreed to sit down with Bluegrass Today and share some thoughts on the band and their music.
First off, tell us about the new single – what inspired it, who wrote it and how did it come about?
The new single, Everyday Thing, is a song that was written by our friends Tom Paden and Dwight Liles. When Tom brought us this song, it was funny because he wrote it years ago and had some major artists that wanted to do it. Marty Raybon asked him to hold it at one point for a new Shenandoah record, but it didn’t make the cut. Later on, Duane Allen of the Oak Ridge Boys asked him to hold it for them for a new album, but again, it didn’t make their cut. In both instances the artists loved the song, but had too many songs already recorded with a similar tempo and feel. So Tom put the song on the shelf for a couple of years. We met in the studio one day and after hearing us sing, he asked me if he could pitch us a couple of tunes. This was one of two of his songs that we have recorded for the upcoming project. Everyday Thing is just a feel-good song that reminds people to appreciate the little things that make life worth living with people you love.
How does this song fit into your trajectory so far?
Well, we were thrilled when our record label told us this was their pick for the first single from the new project, simply because it indeed speaks so well to the trajectory that the Goodwin Brothers have always taken. Songs about real life, love, happiness, and songs that make you smile. Of course, they’re not all gonna speak the same, but overall, as creators, this is the kind of messages we like to share.
Where do you generally get your inspiration from?
Our inspiration can come from a number of things depending on what style and song we are doing, but in general our inspiration comes from our heritage. We grew up in the church hearing hymns of faith that lifted your spirit and made you want to press on, despite everyday battles we all face. We’re deep thinkers and have a great appreciation for deep songs and lyrics that make you think, and even challenge the listener as well. But at the core of who we are, our inspiration comes from finding songs that make people feel good and bring a smile to their faces. Songs that make them want to dance, laugh, sing along, and appreciate the moment. When an artist says, “we grew up in the church,” a lot of people seem to think that means they must do gospel songs due to their convictions. The thing that moved us about singing in church while growing up was that when a congregation would sing together and lift their voices, the rest of whatever was going on in the outside world seemed to vanish. That’s the power of a song.
What are some of the other early influences that informed your music?
We grew up in a divorced home. When we were with our dad and our paternal side of the family, it was mostly bluegrass and gospel all the time. Our grandmother was a great alto singer and piano player. She was responsible for having us on stage in church at two and four years old singing to the congregation. We loved groups like Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver, The Osborne Brothers, Jim & Jesse, the Louvin Brothers, and other great outfits. When we would see our mom, she was always listening to country music, which, at the time — early ’90s — meant great country music. Stacked harmonies and great vocal bands like Alabama, Exile, Restless Heart, Shenandoah, and countless others.
Of course, as we all got older, we began listening and working in other genres. Will was a vocal major and was a featured soloist for the Black Gospel Ensemble at Morehead State University, while I was working full time in Nashville producing Southern Gospel and CCM artists. Chase was singing country and pop songs on American Idol. So, as you can see, we are extremely musically diverse. However, at the core, we returned to grass-roots acoustic and bluegrass-driven music because it really was our first love. Anyone that has ever been to a Goodwin Brothers show will typically hear everything from hard-driving bluegrass to a country song or two that we loved from the ’90s.
How would you characterize the band’s growth over the years?
The beautiful thing to me about the band is that although we’ve only been on the scene for about two years now, it didn’t take much work to fall back into singing with each other. In regard to the growth, all we can say is that we’ve been extremely blessed. Never did we imagine in two short years of stepping back into singing together, we would have the opportunity to play so many iconic festivals and stages, win multiple awards, meet and become friends with so many of our heroes, and actually have fans that support and appreciate our music. People often ask, “when are you guys gonna take the plunge and just do this full-time?” The good part is, we’re too busy. The bad part is…we’re too busy.
For you personally, what are the challenges of being an artist and an entrepreneur — do the left and right side of your brain ever clash?
Well, I certainly experienced that in the early years of my career. But one of the things I learned quickly was to build a team around me of people that are strong where I am weak. Our dad instilled in us an entrepreneurial mindset very early on. In regard to the band, although we are brothers, Will and I have different personalities, approaches, and tactics in regard to our roles within the band. Yet we’re business partners within the band, and we have a great respect for each other, understanding our own specific roles and duties that keep the band moving forward. What’s challenging is being able to balance out real work (that pays the bills) vs. our own band, and what attention it requires to keep progressing. But thankfully (again), we have been blessed with the most incredible team around us and always keep only professional class-A musicians in our band that helps us to become better.
Any thoughts on the contemporary bluegrass scene — and the challenges of treading the divide between the contemporary and the traditional?
Well for us, our whole band has pretty vast experience outside of just the bluegrass world. For that reason, we really never think about genre divisions when we’re working up new material. We just think about what style fits the song the best. The bluegrass scene is always evolving and growing, and to us, becoming better. Don’t get me wrong… you’ll find no one that reveres traditional grass more than us. But we will never be the group you can put in one box and market only within that genre. We’ve got way too much in us to limit ourselves to three chords and a cloud of dust.
I believe it was Bill Monroe that said, “It’s got a hard drive to it. It’s Scotch bagpipes and old-time fiddlin’. It’s Methodist and Holiness and Baptist. It’s blues and jazz and it has a high lonesome sound. It’s plain music that tells a story. It’s played from heart to heart and will touch you.” We want to expand our audience to people outside of the bluegrass world, all while bringing in fans from outside of the bluegrass world that say to us consistently, “I never liked ‘bluegrass’ until I heard you guys! I didn’t know it could be done this way.”
It’s funny that people will love the way we do an old Bill Monroe song like Old Old House, and ask us whose song it was. Then later, they discover that they liked Monroe’s version too. We’ve tried to find creative and playful ways to infuse our bluegrass instrumentation with everything, from straight grass to country ballads and even some edgy rock ‘n’ roll energy. We will always be a band that blurs the lines.
Who do you admire these days?
If you’re asking musically…. Anyone that is out there doing the music they love and working at it to become the absolute best they can be. Innovators that love where this music came from, yet aren’t afraid to push the boundaries to reach more people while being true to what they want to say. People like Molly Tuttle, John Cowan, Sam Bush, and all of the New Grass Revival guys, and so many others. I think I can speak for the boys in saying we admire those people that helped make this music what it is today and are still out there doing it after many years. People like Del McCoury, Larry Sparks, Bobby Osborne, and others of their ilk.
What’s ahead going forward? Will this single be part of the upcoming album?
Yeah man! The new album is finished and we’re just counting down the days for the record label to pull the trigger and put it out for everyone to hear. Our actual album release show is taking place at the historic Station Inn July 29. We will have some special guests join us that night as well. It’s going to be a lot of fun. Going forward, we’re going to keep making a joyful noise. Making music that everyone can enjoy, regardless of genre.
Jimmy Bowen and The Goodwin Brothers both won big in last month’s Josie Music Awards, the largest and most prestigious celebration of independent music in the world. The Goodwins took the trophy for Bluegrass Group of the Year, and Bowen was awarded as Folk/Americana Artist of the Year.
The Josies were launched in 2015 by the mother/daughter team of Josie and Tinamarie Passantino, who created the awards to honor artists in any genre for their talent, skill, material, and professionalism who work independently. Gala awards show presentations have been held since, including the 2022 show hosted on October 23 at the Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville.
The Josie Music Awards and The Josie Network remain the privately held brand property of the Passantinos. But unlike some similar efforts, there is no fee to enter an artist into consideration for a nomination, and both nominations in the many genre categories and the eventual winners are reviewed and decided by a panel of music industry professionals.
The Goodwin Brothers consist of Jonathan and William Goodwin, along with childhood friend and longtime singing partner Chase Bush. Their sound reflects both their eastern Kentucky upbringing and first love of bluegrass music, interpreted through their many years of experience in the country, pop, and rock music worlds.
Jonathan accepted the award, saying…
“We never did this to become famous. We just wanted to be effective and make people feel something when they heard our music. Some nostalgia, happiness, or maybe just remembering some good times when you were young; that’s the first reason. The second reason was to have fun. I think we have accomplished that at some point. Thanks to our team and our friends.”
Jimmy Bowen has had a long career in bluegrass music, with memorable stints with both The Country Gentlemen and David Parmley & Continental Divide. In more recent years he has expanded into acting, appearing in a number of film and television projects, as well as commercial and training films. Bowen also hosts his own Jimmy Bowen & Friends television series, filmed live in Nashville with his band and a guest artist each week.
Missing his bluegrass days, Bowen is looking to expand his availability with a grass band next year and beyond.
A full list of Josie Music Award winners will be posted soon online. The delay is in respect to the Passantinos wanting to have the awards staff contact all winners directly before it is announced online. With categories representing so many genres all over the world, that can be a lengthy process.
Congratulations all!
Submissions for the 2023 awards will be accepted starting on January 15, 2023.
Pinecastle Records has announced the signing of eastern Kentucky’s Goodwin Brothers to a contract, both for marketing and distribution of their upcoming self-produced project, and for a second album on the Pinecastle label.
The veteran group, which consists of two siblings, Jonathan and William Goodwin, and their close family friend, Chase Bush, has electrified live audiences with their vocal acrobatics. All three worked for years in the pop and country music fields before returning to their childhood love for bluegrass, and Kentucky audiences have been left spellbound by their grassified country and country-inflected bluegrass sound.
Speaking jointly, the group says that are delighted with their new label partner.
“After exploring many options, we are happy to be making our home with Pinecastle. Their team understands our sound and vision for the future. We have been in the studio and we have some great new tunes coming really soon.”
Pinecastle CEO Ethan Burkhardt reports that the feeling is mutual.
“We’re thrilled to welcome The Goodwin Brothers to our Pinecastle family. Even prior to becoming a group, they have all had success on their own. Once you add in their amazing harmony vocals, it really fills a gap in bluegrass that’s often missed.”
Here is their latest single, Barefoot Girl, performed live at the Tipsy Cow in Georgetown, KY earlier this month.
Expect to hear in the coming weeks about the first album from The Goodwin Brothers.
The Goodwin Brothers, country-inflected bluegrass artists from eastern Kentucky, have announced new representation, moving to the Mark Newton Entertainment Agency. They have also announced the upcoming release of a live concert DVD and audio CD next month.
The Brothers are actually two siblings, Jonathan and William Goodwin, and one “as good as a brother” in Chase Bush, a childhood friend who has been part of the Goodwin’s lives and music since they were youngsters. Like many artists who start off in bluegrass, only to take work in the country and pop fields, these three are back to their first love, bluegrass music, with inescapable influences from their other experiences affecting their sound and their views towards professionalism in their career.
All three are terrific vocalists, and their show relies heavily on these abilities. Since retuning to bluegrass last year, they have won raves from audiences all over the US.
Here are a couple of recent videos that demonstrate how they they blend their country and bluegrass extractions.
Mark Newton has been a familiar face for decades in bluegrass, first with The Knoxville Grass, and later with Heights of Grass and The Virginia Squires, on into a solo career that brought him critical and commercial success. His agency handled a good many artists until recent health issues forced him to abandon that work, but since his liver transplant earlier this year, Mark is back with a renewed passion, and is delighted to be working with the Goodwins.
“I am thrilled and honored to be working with The Goodwin Brothers. They are the type of band that only comes along every decade or so. They have the best lead and harmony vocals and stage presence I’ve ever heard, as evidenced by their performances over the last 12 months as a group.”
For more information on The Goodwin Brothers, you can reach the Mark Newton Entertainment Agency by email or phone (615-336-4899). For media inquiries, contact Penni McDaniel at Hope River Entertainment.
615 Hideaway Records has a new single today from The Goodwin Brothers, the second from their upcoming sophomore project, Prodigals, to be released as a partnership with G1 Productions.
The Brothers are Jonathan and Will Godwin, both with years of experience as singers, producers, and music businessmen. Though they have spent most of their lives in music, they had not recorded together until a few years ago, when they teamed up with family friend and former American Idol contestant Chase Bush to form The Godwin Brothers. The three “brothers” have been singing together for more than 20 years, and it shows. A debut album was released in 2020.
For their latest single, they have chosen Barefoot Girl, written by Louisa Branscomb and Becky Buller, which shows off their polished vocal trio with a distinct acoustic county flourish.
Will is on mandolin and Jonathan on guitar, with both singing along with Chase. Banjo is provided by Russ Carson, bass by Mark Fain, and fiddle from Michael Cleveland. Eric Darken is on drums.
Have a listen…
Barefoot Girl by The Goodwin Brothers is available now from popular download and streaming services online. Radio programmers will find the track at AirPlay Direct.
The brothers, Will on mandolin, Jonathan on banjo, with Chase Bush on vocals, have been active in the music business for many years, and singing and performing bluegrass and Gospel music all their lives. As a vocal trio, they have at least 20 years singing together, with a blend that rivals any all-sibling outfit you might find.
Now they have released their first, eponymous album as The Goodwin Brothers, a mix of contemporary bluegrass and acoustic country, that shows what a group of industry pros can deliver, turned loose in the studio with accompanists like Cody Kilby on guitar, Andy Leftwich on fiddle, Mark Fain on bass, and Steve Brewster on percussion.
With 615 Hideaway on board, the Brothers have prepared a promotional video with a taste of several tracks, starting with the latest single, Anywhere With You, written by Ben Hayslip, David Lee Murphy, and Jimmy Yeary. You’ll hear more than a little influence from the later stages of New Grass Revival, and why not with the sort of vocal prowess these guys possess, with Chase handling the tenor parts. They also tackle a powerful Osborne Brothers medley including My Favorite Memory, Big City, and Beneath Still Waters, which they released on video last year.
Enjoy.
The Goodwin Brothers album, and the various tracks are available now wherever you stream or download music online. The singles are on AirPlay Direct for radio programmers.
