“I wish I was back in West Virginia with the sun shining on my face”

By the Editor

William Matheny is a West Virginia-born songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and vocalist often cited as one of the best songwriters working today. His work explores themes of mortality, spirituality, and the passage of time, with a huge homage to his home state. 

“I was born in West Virginia and I’ve lived my entire life right here in the 35th state. As a touring songwriter, I’ve always appreciated coming from a place that boasts no shortage of great songs about itself. For my money, it doesn’t get any better than “Green Rolling Hills” or “West Virginia, My Home,” – two songs that function both as love letters to home as well as laments of being forced to leave the place you love and not always being able to return to it. In some ways, these songs nearly describe West Virginia as a potential idealized afterlife. Someone’s version of heaven where you didn’t have to “move away into some crowded city” or “pay the price for the leaving.” If such a heaven exists for me, I know I’d be happy if it was nothing more than a pot of strong coffee brewing on a Saturday morning and Hazel Dickens on the turntable singing those songs,” said Matheny.

Released on July 10, 2026, Material Witness is Matheny’s third full-length album. This ten-track project features songs such as “Fairmont Hair,” the title track “Material Witness,” and “I Wish I Was Back in West Virginia”. 

“”I Wish I Was Back in West Virginia” is my best attempt at a “West Virginia, My Home” or a “Green Rolling Hills.” Another rock in the stream of WV songwriting that has flowed long before me and will flow long after I’m gone. It’s about West Virginia, the physical place, as well as a West Virginia that exists in the collective consciousness of anyone who carries a little bit of it with them everywhere they go,” said Matheny. 

Matheny’s songwriting is centered around West Virginia daily life. He stated, “I want to sing about the world that’s directly in front of me, so that means I’m occasionally talking about Bernard Coffindaffer crosses, Stoney Cooper, Go Mart gas stations and the Mannington Fair.” 

To learn more about William Matheny, visit williammatheny.com and listen to his new album available now on all streaming platforms.