Charlie Worsham is a singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist known for his masterful musicianship and deep-rooted passion for country music. Born and raised in Mississippi, Worsham honed his skills at Berklee College of Music before making a name for himself in Nashville, blending traditional country storytelling with modern influences.
Since his 2013 debut album ‘Rubberband,' he has earned critical acclaim for his thoughtful songwriting, intricate guitar work, and warm, soulful voice. In addition to his solo work, Worsham is a sought-after collaborator, lending his talents to artists like Eric Church, Dierks Bentley and Lainey Wilson. Whether in the studio or on stage, he continues to champion the heart and craft of country music, making him one of the genre’s most respected and versatile artists. That respect was rewarded last November when Charlie picked up the CMA Award for ‘Musician of the Year.'
You can see Charlie in the UK next month at the C2C festival as part of Dierks Bentley's touring band and he is also playing solo shows in both London and Glasgow. We caught up with him to talk all about it.
I want to start by saying congratulations on the CMA award – the look on your face when your name was called was priceless – probably my favourite moment of the night. Were you really that shocked?
Thank you. It was a moment I've dreamed about since I was 9 or 10 years old. I’ve probably been practicing my CMA Award acceptance speech for about that long too.
I guess I was, and I wasn’t shocked. More than anything I felt the culmination of decades of hard work and the gravity of so many relationships I’ve built within the Country music community. The roar of the applause felt like a tidal wave of love washing over me, and it was actually Dierks’ voice and fierce hug that brought me back into my body. I pretty much spent the next 3 days crying happy tears and calling and messaging with friends who have been with me in this journey all these years.
We’re looking forward to having you back in the UK in a couple of weeks as part of Dierks’ band and as a solo artist in your own right – you’ve got a strong relationship with your UK fans – what do you like about being over here?
There is so much to love! It’s been a special relationship for me from day one, because I first toured the UK and Europe at a time when I was feeling left out and frustrated in the Country music scene back at home.
Crossing the pond, I discovered that my music had connected in a meaningful way that had nothing to do with radio airplay or which song was or wasn’t a hit. I could sing anything i wanted and hear it sung back to me: that is still true today, and it’s one of the things I most look forward to with each trip.
You’ve been in Dierks’ band for a while now – how do you manage the day to day demands of that job and your creativity as a solo artist?
Dierks makes it easy. He’s always been one of my biggest supporters, on and off stage. Outside of the summer, we don’t get that busy, and I am free to play my own shows and make my own records.
Tell me your three favourite Dierks Bentley songs – either songs in the live set or ones in his catalogue.
This is tough to pick because Dierks songs are generally really well written, full of killer guitar parts, and incredibly fun to play. My current favourite Dierks song in the live set is probably ‘Free and Easy,' it just never fails to put a smile on my face, and I love, love, love singing high harmony on it.
My favorite Dierks song I wish was in the live set would have to be ‘Good Man Like Me.' I’ve been on a Del McCoury kick lately (so much so i got the Travelin’ McCourys to cut a song with me for my next record), and I love the way Dierks fuses bluegrass influences with rockin hit country music. Our acoustic set is always a highlight of the show for both the band and the fans.
My favorite Dierks song that i co-wrote would have to be ‘High Note.' The picking, the Billy Strings-ness of it, it's hard to resist! Who knows, with Zach Top on tour with us this summer, maybe it’ll find its way into the setlist?
Are you recording in the studio with him too or does he use session players for his studio projects?
I’m playing on a few of the new songs for this next record, yeah. It’s good stuff.
When I interviewed Chase Rice last year he credited you for helping to give him advice regarding his career and helping him to create a live space for his older songs to sit in his setlist alongside his newer songs – tell me about that.
It’s tricky to bring fans up to speed on a decade of evolution in less than an hour of stage time, but dialling in a setlist happens to be a favourite pastime of mine! So, when a mutual friend suggested Chase and I connect, we started talking. I was impressed by Chase’s humility and by how open he was to suggestions.
I listened to the shows and offered some ideas for sure, but I gotta give Chase and his band credit for taking my perspective and working hard to build a brand new show. Hearing ‘Cruise' solo acoustic with a steel guitar was particularly eye-opening for me, it’s an absolute banger, and it’s 100% country as hell. I hope people who haven’t given Chase much of a chance will change their minds, 'cause they’re missing out.
I’ve also put some guitars and banjos on a couple tracks for his next project, and it’s cool to hear his songwriting and singing voice shine through. I can’t wait for people to hear his next project.
You’ve had such a dynamic career as both a solo artist and a sought-after session musician. What originally drew you to country music and the guitar?
Country music has always been how I express myself. I think because it’s built on musicianship and storytelling, which comes naturally to a Mississippi-born-and-raised guy like me. Behind my extroverted love of the spotlight is actually an introvert who loves nothing more than hours alone to play guitar or mandolin or banjo and write a song or learn a favourite solo from a favourite record. Even though it’s my job, it’s also what i do to unwind.
Nashville has changed a lot over the years. How has the evolution of country music influenced your own sound and approach to making music?
I like to think of it the other way around, actually. I’m always making the Country record I believe the world needs to hear, hoping it will make some kind of impact on where the sound of Country goes next. What has been encouraging these past few years is seeing true and original talent win, whether that’s Lainey Wilson or Stapleton or Stephen Wilson Jr or Hailey Whitters.
If I was making a list of nailed on number one radio hits that never were ‘Fist Through This Town’ would be absolutely on it although the irony of your frustration in the song is not lost on me. Does the commercial side of your craft ever intrude on the creative process or do you just let the muse have its way? What are your metrics of success these days?
I used to let outside voices sway where I aimed my compass, but fortunately I never fully subscribed to the idea that commerciality and art are opposing forces. It’s literally impossible for me to try to write a hit song purely for the sake of it being a hit song.. believe me, i've tried!
I always come back to the one thing I'm good at, which is putting my heart on paper and dressing it up in the coolest musical clothing I can. To me, success is being respected. success is still getting to make music. Success is being known for who I actually am and success is being content with the hunger, because the hunger for more success never goes away: just ask anyone who has more hits than they can sing in one concert.
Your album Compadres features some incredible artists. How did you choose who to collaborate with and do you have a favourite track from that project?
It’s impossible to pick a favourite, though ‘Kiss Like You Dance' has been the most fun addition to my live set in quite some time and seeing ‘How I Learned To Pray' get a second look, thanks to Luke, has been really special.
All the collabs on ‘Compadres' came from friendships I’ve built over the years, touring with buddies and playing on their records. I also feel fortunate that more often than not, I end up touring with and playing on records for my personal favourites, like Lainey and Dierks and the others.
Who were your biggest influences growing up and if we were making a Mount Rushmore of the four best guitarists of all time what sort of names would be up for contention?
I don’t think I could make a Mount Rushmore of favourite guitar players in Skynyrd alone without leaving out someone essential!
In the spirit of representing the 4 pillars of musical style that make up who I am, I would say Vince Gill and Marty Stuart have to share the slot representing country music. BB King and Pops Staples would share a slot representing blues and soul and Mississippi goodness. Skynyrd and Tom Petty share a slot for rock and roll. The Beatles and the Stones in the 4th slot for all the reasons… putting on an unforgettable live show, making groundbreaking records, songwriting, etc
I didn’t even get to Bluegrass! What’s wrong with me?!? Tony Rice, Earl Scruggs, and Sam Bush should be photobombing this Mt Rushmore somehow…
Do you have a favourite guitar or piece of gear that’s been with you through your journey?
My first really good guitar, a 1963 Martin D28, was a Christmas gift from my parents. It was their way of saying they supported me in my efforts to chase this music dream. It’s been busted to pieces, sold and bought again, played on a zillion shows and records and last year I took the guitar in for some repairs and a good setup and now it plays and sounds better than ever.
I also cherish a 1960 dot neck Gibson 335 that was an extremely thoughtful wedding gift from Vince Gill. More on that story another time!
What advice would you give to young musicians who want to improve their guitar skills and break into the industry?
Wherever you can, surround yourself with players who are much better than you. They will make you stand a little taller. Embrace the struggle. Consistency is a key ingredient and watch Tom Bukovac’s “Home Skoolin” series on YouTube.
As for breaking into the industry, I used to have good advice for that, but so much has changed that I don’t know where to tell someone to start. I would just say that gut instinct is powerful, so trust that.
You’ve worn so many hats—artist, songwriter, musician, producer. Is there one role you enjoy the most?
Here lately, all the roles seem to fuse into one. I think I mostly wear the hat of being me and what I love most about being me is that I get plenty of opportunity to do all the creative endeavours I enjoy the most.
Right now I'm in a season of record making and performing and I’m leaning into that. I anticipate a shift back to songwriting in the months ahead, though and I’m also excited to dust off the pencil and notebooks.
What does the rest of 2025 look like in terms of balancing your work with Dierks and your creative writing & solo career? I see you’re out on tour supporting Chase Rice & Megan Moroney in the next few months. Busy. Busy. Busy!
I’m nearly wrapped on a brand new full length record and if you catch me at a show on this UK/Europe run, be sure to snag these VIP passes I’m handing out with a QR code that takes you to a sneak peek of the music. I'm hoping to have songs out in the world in the back half of this year.
I'm so stoked for the Megan and Chase dates, more live shows of my own are on the way too. I’m also launching a podcast soon in conjunction with the folks at Visit Mississippi.
Back home, we have an almost-4-year-old son named Gabe whose current favourite song is Tom Petty’s ‘Running Down a Dream' and a 4-month-old baby girl named Harper Jean who I will never be able to say no to for the rest of my life because she has the greatest smile on the planet. Busy indeed and blessed as hell.
Make sure you catch a Charlie Worsham solo show in London or Glasgow in March.
