Goodwen

Background

Growing up in the household of the signed banjo artist Todd Elam, Tyler and Jordan Elam, (guitar and drums), along with long-time friend Dustin Smith began creating music as early as 2000.

Gradually as they began to expand their musical skills, more projects were developed involving more musicians using a variety of different instruments. Cody Madonna, a longtime friend of Jordan, suggested the idea of beginning a Ska band. With this development came the addition of Armond Luckey and his amazing trumpet ability, Dustin Schamaun with a deep appreciation for the underlying tones of jazz saxophone, and Julie Heidorn on trombone.

GOODWEN - Is a six member group from Middletown, Ohio that plays "progressive horn rock". The musical style is broad-based due to the diverse tastes of the group. The sound can move from heavy to soft. There are those who mistake Goodwen for a Ska band because they have a trumpet and sax. Most assuredly, they are not.~FaithFest.net."

Goodwen has stated in their Cincy CDs interview that, though the band has horns and was originally thought to be a Ska band, Goodwen does not consider themselves to be a Ska band, nor do they wish to be thought of as a Ska band.

Members

Current:

Past

Touring

Over the years, Goodwen has shared stages with many bands such as: Blindside, The Elms, Ace Troubleshooter, Roper, Dead Poetic, Cartel, Showbread and others. Touring from Wisconsin to West Virginia, the band has performed over two hundred shows.

Often the band toured with their long-time friends The Red Racer, a prominently Indie rock band from Terre Haute, Indiana.

Goodwen has also made several performances at Ichthus Christian rock festival with attendance in the tens of thousands.

2003 Demo

1. More Than Sunday
2. The You I used to Know
3. It Doesn't Change
4. A Better Way

Paper Bag Demo

1. Rust to None
2. One Nation
3. The Truth We Know Nothing Of

En Memoria Vestrum

1. The End of the End is Only the Beginning
2. "Question Marks"
3. The Long Road I Hope to Take Again
4. In Order to Prevent Further Confusion
5. A Light in our Darkest Hour
6. A Glance at the Present From the Past

Reasons for Living

Future Destinations Compilation

Reasons for Living

Videography

DVD

Online Video Sample

Controversy-a New Reality

In late 2005 Goodwen was contacted by an anonymous solo performer dubbed A New Reality, who claimed that Goodwen had stolen his music without consent. The performer has no formal proof other than a recording of the song "A Glance at the Present from the Past" performed differently. There have since been no further accusations.

Future

In early 2006, Cody Madonna declared that he would be taking a year-long certification course in Orlando, Florida to become a licensed Harley Davidson mechanic. Unable to perform without a bass guitar player, Goodwen decided to take a break. Though the official final show of Goodwen was March 3, 2006 at 4th and Main in Franklin, Ohio, the band has since performed one reunion show at The Garage in Springboro Ohio From the message boards, with the return of Cody scheduled for the summer of 2007, Goodwen has plans to write and record new material. Members have also claimed that they expect a new album release mid to late summer of 2007, which will contain several songs already written in the Goodwen Archives as well as songs currently being written.

Distributors

Media/News/Interviews

Rocking at the Alter

Cincy CD's Interview

Cox News Goodwen Article

Goodwen News Video Footage (QuickTime)

Concert Listing