Charlie Worsham talks new album with Lainey Wilson Stephen Wilson Jr

Charlie Worsham: Finding Freedom in the Pursuit of the Perfect Note

Two decades after honing his craft at Boston’s Berklee College of Music, Nashville native Charlie Worsham has emerged not just as a musician, but as a force reshaping the landscape of country music. Worsham is a true multi-hyphenate artist—a songwriter, guitarist, mandolin player, and sought-after session musician who plays an essential role in the current sound of the genre.

With his latest offering, the album Once Upon a Second Time Around, Worsham marks his third full-length solo project. This release follows previous works like Rubberband (2013), The Beginning of Things (2017), and the EP Compadres (2023). The album, released on ONErpm after a tenure with Warner Records Nashville, signals a new independent era for Worsham’s sound.

But Worsham’s influence stretches far beyond his own recordings. He is deeply woven into the fabric of country music, lending his exceptional skills in guitar, mandolin, banjo, and songwriting to numerous established artists. His work has appeared on albums by heavy hitters like Eric Church, Carrie Underwood, Kacey Musgraves, Luke Combs, Sam Williams, Ella Langley, Kip Moore, and Dierks Bentley.

Beyond collaboration, Worsham has been a vital thread in the touring landscape, contributing to bands alongside figures such as Vince Gill and Bentley, and briefly joining the Old Crow Medicine Show. His early career saw him playing with Kingbilly, where he shared the stage with Brothers Osborne’s John Osborne, laying foundational connections within the community.

For Worsham, the journey through the industry has been as much about redefining success as it is about creating music. At 40, he has found a pivotal moment of clarity, realizing that the narrow definitions handed to young artists often stem from fear rather than genuine ambition.

“It’s very easy to have blinders on as a young artist in town because the definition of success can be so narrow,” Worsham reflects. “What’s great in this moment is I have that proverbial seat at the table. I know enough to know now that what I was really tightly clinging to and what felt like anger was really fear that I wouldn’t have this permanent spot in town in this community.”

This newfound freedom allows him to expand his vision. He finds inspiration in the constant process of collaboration, embracing creative challenges that push him to be better. “I think the biggest shift is that I have freedom to expand my definition of success…Any day I wake up and I’m collaborating with people that challenge me and inspire me to be better and I’m being creative, that’s the dream.”

The theme of patience proved central to his artistic process, encapsulated by the mantra he found in a book of quotes: “The impossible takes longer.” Worsham navigates the complex balance between his musical duties, his life as a husband and father, and his public voice through his podcast, Mississippi on the Map, which highlights his state’s rich musical culture.

His new album beautifully reflects this layered experience. Many of the tracks feature collaborative writing, including work with Sony Music Publishing’s Josh Van Valkenburg, who helped shape cuts like “Family Man,” and collaborations with songwriters such as Lainey Wilson on “They Never Do.”

Worsham acknowledges that maintaining equilibrium is an ongoing challenge, yet he finds immense satisfaction in the balance. “I’m still working on the balance. Part of that is self-induced, and part of it is just the nature of being a multi-hyphenate,” he shares. “But I’m better than I was last year. I’m better than I was the year before that at it. And so it’s an ongoing process and I am so grateful.”

This pursuit of balance is reflected in his songwriting, which often blends his bluegrass heart with a Southern rock sensibility. The album concludes with a nod to his deep appreciation for musical lineage, paying homage to artists like Vince Gill and Dierks Bentley, recognizing the profound impact they have had on his journey.