Charlie Worsham first stepped onto the Grand Ole Opry stage as a 12-year-old banjo player from Mississippi. Nearly three decades later, he returned to that same stage to hear the words every country musician dreams of hearing.

On Friday night, during Vince Gill’s sold-out residency at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium, Gill invited his friend and longtime mentor to become the newest member of the Grand Ole Opry.

The moment was made even more special by the timing. It came on the 20th anniversary of Worsham’s move to Nashville, the city where he would build a career that has taken him from gifted young musician to acclaimed songwriter, session player, touring guitarist and solo artist.

Worsham had just performed “Wrap My Porch Around,” from his new album ONCE UPON A SECOND TIME AROUND, when Gill revealed that he had been keeping a secret.

“I've been keeping this a secret for a long time,” Gill told the audience. “What I get to do tonight is fulfill a dream for someone and this guy deserves this more than anyone I know.”

He then asked Worsham to become a member of the Grand Ole Opry.

For Worsham, the invitation was about more than another career milestone. Gill has been one of the most important figures in his musical life, and Worsham described him as his “North Star.”

“I’ve had the great privilege of having Vince as my North Star,” Worsham said, before recalling conversations they had shared about Gill’s own career and his induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame.

Worsham finished with a simple promise: “Now I’m going to try to go earn it.”

It was a fitting response from an artist who has spent much of his life earning his place in Nashville.

Born in Grenada, Mississippi, Worsham made his Opry debut in 1997 as a gifted Junior National Banjo Champion. Two years later, at just 14, he was commended by the Mississippi Senate for his musical accomplishments.

After graduating high school as a straight-A student, he moved to Boston to study at Berklee College of Music, continuing to develop both his songwriting and musicianship before eventually making Nashville his home.

Over the years, Worsham has become one of those musicians whose work is often heard even when his name isn't necessarily the one on the marquee. He has toured with Opry member Dierks Bentley, currently plays in Vince Gill's touring band and has contributed to recordings by artists including Eric Church, Luke Combs and Chris Shiflett.

At the same time, he has built his own career as a solo artist, opening for artists including Taylor Swift, Miranda Lambert and Kenny Rogers, while earning major recognition of his own. His accolades include ACM's Acoustic Guitar Player of the Year, CMA's Musician of the Year and the CMA Touring Musician of the Year award.

Now, the musician who first stood on the Opry stage at 12 is preparing to officially join the institution that has been part of his story for almost his entire life.

Worsham will become a member of the Grand Ole Opry later this year.

And before that happens, he is bringing this latest chapter of his story to the UK. He begins a new run of shows this week, with sold-out dates in York and Manchester before a main stage appearance at Country Calling in Chelmsford on Saturday.

For someone whose journey began on the Opry stage as a young banjo player, it feels like another fitting step in a story that has been building for a very long time.

This week, he kicks off his latest round of UK shows, including a main stage performance a Country Calling festival:

Thursday, 13th August 2026 - York, UK - FortyFive Vinyl Café (SOLD OUT)

Friday, 14th August 2026 - Manchester, UK - YES (SOLD OUT)

Saturday, 15th August 2026 - Chelmsford, UK - Country Calling 2026

Now I’m going to try to go earn it

Author: Andrew Braithwaite

Andrew is the founder and chief editor of Music Talkers. He's also a keen music enthusiast and plays the guitar.