Charlie Worsham Invited To Become A Member Of The Grand Ole Opry

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Vince Gill Surprises Charlie Worsham with Opry Invitation. Photo: Courtesy of the Grand Ole Opry

Charlie Worsham was invited to become the next member of the Grand Ole Opry on Friday (Aug. 7) by Vince Gill while on stage at the Ryman Auditorium.

“Charlie Worsham the artist and Charlie Worsham the human being often remind me of the Opry itself,” says Opry Executive Producer Dan Rogers. “Charlie has the utmost respect for decades-old music traditions, and he’s also always looking toward tomorrow and making innovative music that opens doors to the future. Whether he’s playing -country, bluegrass, or the many sounds of his native Mississippi, and whether he’s standing alone centerstage accompanying himself on acoustic guitar or picking along with some famous friends, he truly always delivers. I am thrilled his boundless talents and huge heart will have a forever home on the Grand Ole Opry.”

Charlie Worsham’s Debut Opry Appearance at Age 12. Photo: Courtesy of the Grand Ole Opry

“I’ve had the great privilege of having Vince as my North Star,” Worsham shared after the invitation. “We’ve had interviews together over the last year about the great music you are making. And I got to ask you about what you said when you went into the Hall of Fame, and your answer would be what I’m going to say. ‘Now I’m going to try to go earn it.’ This is definitely the ultimate dream.”

Worsham, a native of Grenada, Mississippi made his debut at the Grand Ole Opry in 1997 at the age of 12 as a gifted Junior National Banjo Champion. In 1999, at the age of 14 he was commended by the Mississippi Senate for his outstanding musical accomplishments. After graduating high school as a straight-A student he went on to study the art of songwriting and hone his playing skills, moving to Boston to study at the Berklee College of Music. He was part of the band KingBilly for several years before becoming a solo artist where he went on to open for artists including Opry members Brad Paisley and Old Crow Medicine Show as well as Taylor Swift, Miranda Lambert and Kenny Rogers.

In addition to his solo career, Worsham is an in-demand session musician contributing to albums by artists like Eric Church, Luke Combs, Chris Shiflett and more. He has worked in Opry member Dierks Bentley’s band as lead guitarist and is currently a member of Gill’s touring band. He released his release his first full-length album as an independent artist, Once Upon A Second Time Around, last week.

Lauryn Sink
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