Oxford’s Own Charlie Widmer Named New Connecticut State Troubadour

OXFORD, CT — There is a new musical ambassador in town. The Connecticut Office of the Arts has officially appointed Oxford resident and singer-songwriter Charlie Widmer as the Connecticut State Troubadour for the 2026–2028 term.

Widmer, a half-Puerto Rican artist who has spent his career rooted in the Nutmeg State, is stepping into the role at a high point in his career. His song "What Do I Need With Love" (performed with his band On the Trail) recently climbed to #3 on the Sirius XM Bluegrass Junction national radio charts.

"I am deeply honored to represent my home of Connecticut at such a high level," Widmer said. "Connecticut is the place I will call home for the rest of my career, and I feel a responsibility to ensure that our artists are not only heard but also valued and protected."

A Vision for the Community: Widmer isn’t just taking the title for the honor; he has a clear mission for his three-year term:

• Education: He plans to launch statewide songwriting workshops and visit schools—from elementary classrooms to his alma mater, WCSU—to help students find their creative voices.
• Artist Rights: He intends to work with state representatives to explore a "minimum performance fee" to ensure local musicians are paid fairly.
• Representation: As a musician of Puerto Rican descent, he aims to be a visible advocate for people of color in the folk and bluegrass genres.

About Charlie: A graduate of Western Connecticut State University, Widmer is a versatile performer whose work spans bluegrass, folk, classical, and musical theater. In addition to his national radio success, he has performed across the Northeast and internationally in Canada and his birth country of Switzerland.

Residents can expect to see much more of Charlie as he travels the state performing and teaching. He is currently preparing for the release of his debut full-length solo project later this year.

Congratulations, Charlie!