The Connecticut Office of the Arts has appointed singer-songwriter Charlie Widmer as Connecticut State Troubadour for the 2026-2028 term. This appointment comes at a significant moment in Widmer's career, with his song "What Do I Need With Love" recently reaching No. 3 on the SiriusXM Bluegrass Junction national radio chart. His three-year term will see him bring songwriting workshops to communities and visit schools to help students find their creative voices. Additionally, Widmer plans to explore the idea of a minimum performance fee for local musicians to be paid fairly.