JACKSON, Wyo. — The solid double-bill of Charles Wesley Godwin and Molly Tuttle on Wednesday night at the Teton County Fair lived up to the hype. Talk about a couple of acts that have forged their own path while staying true to what they sought out to do in the first place, Godwin and Tuttle have carved out devoted followings through sheer devotion to their independence and ambition. Seeing their individuality and command of the stage was reflected in audience’s enthusiasm.
A challenging venue scenario unfolded early in the day: due to heavy rain the evening before on the dirt-based rodeo arena, crews spent the day doubling down on getting the venue prepared. Despite a slight delay with doors opening and showtime pushed about 45 minutes later, the full show was a rain-free success.
Tuttle and her near all-female quintet were impressively dialed. To see Tuttle’s hyper-precise guitar styles up close — combining cross-picking, clawhammer and finger-picking similar to the rhythm of a clawhammer banjoist — was evidence of a masterful player that obviously put in her 10 thousand hours long ago. The set was delightfully choreographed, highlighting her bandmates while leading them through a blend of modern and old-time tunes, including the Tuttle and Melody Walker-penned “Side Saddle,” the Tuttle and Ketch Secor song “San Joaquin,” and Joni Mitchell’s “Big Yellow Taxi.”
Godwin’s seven-piece band came out with over-the-top energy, and being completely wireless allowed them to move freely around stage with vigor. His blue-collar lyrics and Appalachian storytelling songs of rural life sit right at home in Wyoming, and fans near the front were singing along to nearly every song, including fan favorites “Seneca Creek,” “Minor Imperfections” and “Family Ties.” His booming baritone voice sounds just as good live as it does on studio recordings, and that’s not easily achieved given the elevation and sequential nights on the road.
There was contrast and commonality between the two acts, and it was great to see Tuttle join Godwin’s band for Flatt & Scruggs’ “Rolling in My Sweet Baby’s Arms” and John Denver’s “Country Roads,” the latter being a routine closer for Godwin, a West Virginia native.
When compared to other local concert prices and the level of these artists, this show stood out one of the best values of the summer at just $35. And those who walked through the fairgrounds to get to the arena could’ve seen local indie rockers Inland Isle in the fair tent for free. And, post-show fair food? Win, win, win.
