Oxford Musician Lands Rare State Title

OXFORD, CT — Oxford has a new reason to brag.

The Connecticut Office of the Arts has appointed Oxford resident and singer-songwriter Charlie Widmer as Connecticut State Troubadour for the 2026-2028 term, putting him in one of the state’s highest-profile arts roles.

Widmer is stepping into the post at a strong moment in his career. His song “What Do I Need With Love,” performed with his band On the Trail, recently reached No. 3 on the SiriusXM Bluegrass Junction national radio chart.

“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.”

What He Wants To Do

Widmer has outlined a broad mission for his three-year term. He said he wants to bring songwriting workshops to communities across the state and visit schools ranging from elementary classrooms to his alma mater, Western Connecticut State University, to help students find their creative voices.

He also plans to work with state representatives to explore the idea of a minimum performance fee so local musicians are paid fairly. As a musician of Puerto Rican descent, Widmer said he also hopes to be a visible advocate for people of color in folk and bluegrass music.

Oxford Roots Run Deep

For Oxford, the appointment is more than a state honor. It is also a hometown moment.

In a social media post after being recognized at an Oxford town meeting, Widmer said the town played a major role in shaping him as both a musician and a person.

“As an Oxford kid, having moved here in middle school and coming up through the brand new high school, this means the world,” Widmer wrote.

He said Oxford is where he first picked up a guitar at age 12, made his first deeply musical friendships, and landed his first lead role as a singer when he played Danny Zuko in “Grease” at 16.

“This town shaped me, gave me a purpose in life, and set my understanding of what it looks like when many backgrounds come together to live and build community,” Widmer wrote.

Oxford First Selectman George Temple offered a short hometown summary of the moment: “Local kid makes good.”

What Comes Next

A graduate of Western Connecticut State University, Widmer is a versatile performer whose work spans bluegrass, folk, classical and musical theater. He has performed across the Northeast and internationally in Canada and Switzerland.

Residents can expect to see more of him in the months ahead as he travels the state performing, teaching and representing Connecticut’s arts community. He is also preparing to release his debut full-length solo project later this year.

For Oxford, that means one of its own will now be carrying the town’s name onto a much bigger stage.