Charlie Worsham Invited To Become Grand Ole Opry Member

Singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Charlie Worsham, Academy of Country Music award-winner for Acoustic Guitar Player of the Year, Country Music Association award-winner for Musician of the Year, and a CMA Touring Award-winner for Touring Musician of the Year, was invited to become a member of the Grand Ole Opry on Saturday, August 8, by his friend, mentor and Opry member, Vince Gill, while on stage at the Ryman Auditorium. The invitation came on the 20th anniversary of Worsham’s move to Nashville and during the fifth of Gill’s six-night sold-out residency at the venue.

“I’ve been keeping this a secret for a long time. What I get to do tonight is fulfill a dream for someone and this guy deserves this more than anyone I know. I’ve been asked by the Opry to invite Charlie Worsham to become the next member of the Grand Ole Opry,” said Gill.

“Charlie Worsham the artist and Charlie Worsham the human being often remind me of the Opry itself,” said 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.” 

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. 

Worsham will officially become a member of the Opry family later this year – a date will be announced soon.