Watch: Pirates Ace Paul Skenes Sings ‘Take Me Home, Country Roads’ at Concert in Pittsburgh

Paul Skenes, a Pittsburgh athlete, sang “Take Me Home, Country Roads” in Pittsburgh the day before the Backyard Brawl. That’s something most probably didn’t expect to see, but it’s exactly what happened on Friday night.

Pirates ace Skenes joined Charles Wesley Godwin on stage during his concert and then sang the song synonymous with WVU and West Virginia in front of a pro Mountaineer crowd.

While this might be a surprising occurrence for some, the fact Skenes plays for a Pittsburgh team and claims to love Pittsburgh doesn’t mean he has any allegiance to the major university in the city. Skenes, of course, went to LSU (and Air Force) before being drafted with the No. 1 overall pick by the Pittsburgh Pirates.

For people all surprised a Pittsburgh athlete would do this before the Brawl, Paul Skenes loves Pittsburgh but that does not mean some allegiance to Pitt since he went to LSU. He’s just friends with Charles Wesley Godwin and likes the song. https://t.co/lwJWNphPX5

— Mike J. Asti (@MikeAsti11) September 14, 2024

Skenes and Godwin have also become friends. The Pirates rookie sensation has even warmed up to Godwin’s rendition of the song before taking the mound at PNC Park.

And even though this may annoy some Pitt fans who also support all of the other Pittsburgh teams, there’s no doubt they will be cheering every strikeout Skenes throws no matter what.

So far during his historic rookie season, Paul Skenes has 151 strikeouts to go along with his 10-2 record, 2.10 ERA and 0.99 WHIP.

To keep in mind, WV Sports Now sent one lucky fan and a guest to the Charles Wesley Godwin concert on Friday night. Expect more giveaways like that one with WV Sports Now moving forward.