Senate Resolution 49

A RESOLUTION EXTENDING THE RECOGNITION AND CONGRATULATIONS OF THE MISSISSIPPI SENATE TO AWARD-WINNING COUNTRY SINGER, SONGWRITER AND MUSICIAN CHARLIE WORSHAM FROM JACKSON, MISSISSIPPI.

WHEREAS, Country Singer, Multi-Instrumentalist and Songwriter Charlie Worsham makes music that blends the sound and feel of classic country with rock, rhythm and blues, and bluegrass, conjuring a soulful brew that has impressed fans and critics. His songs are often carefully drawn short stories based in the details of ordinary lives, while he also has a sense of humor that keeps his music from getting heavy, and the easygoing warmth of his voice has a style that suits his many adventures; and

WHEREAS, Worsham's 2013 debut album was a polished country-pop effort, 2017s Beginning of Things gave him more room to show off the personal side of his songwriting, and the 2021 EP Sugarcane was a rootsy set steeped in both country and rock; and

WHEREAS, Charlie Worsham was born September 1, 1985, in Jackson, Mississippi, and music became his main interest at a young age. He started on the banjo and was skilled enough on the instrument by the age of ten to play on-stage at the Ryman Auditorium with bluegrass great Jimmy Martin. After winning a Junior National Banjo Championship at age 12, he played onstage at the Grand Ole Opry, an accomplishment for a musician of any age. Charlie consequently learned to play fiddle, mandolin and guitar. While living and working as a musician in Nashville was always his goal, he opted to attend the prestigious Berklee School of Music in Boston following his graduation from high school. Eventually, Worsham did relocate to Nashville, where he worked on his songwriting and did session work; and

WHEREAS, the highlights of Charlie's career include:

· Warner Brothers Country Artist for 10 years, where he recorded two critically acclaimed albums and one EP. All named "Best Of" or "Top 10" for the year they were released;

· Songwriter for Sony Music Publishing;

· Songs recorded by Kenny Chesney, Dierks Bentley, Vince Gill and Charles Esten (ABC show Nashville);

· ACM nominations for Specialty Instrument Player of the Year in 2020 and Acoustic Player of the Year in 2022;

· Appeared in an episode of Fox TV's "Bones" series as struggling Country Music Artist Colin Hayes. His songs were featured throughout the episode;

· His music was also featured on an episode of ABC's hit TV show "Nashville" as well as the Hallmark movie "A Country Wedding";

· Toured with Taylor Swift, Brad Paisley, Miranda Lambert, Little Big Town, Eric Church, Brandy Clark, Vince Gill, Kenny Rogers, Dierks Bentley, Kip Moore, and the Cadillac 3, among others;

· Played credits on albums by Eric Church, Miranda Lambert, Little Big Town, Brandy Clark, Vince Gill, Dierks Bentley, Kip Moore, Carrie Underwood, and Dolly Parton, among others;

· Former member of the bands "KingBilly" and "Old Crow Medicine Show";

· Narrator and Host for an episode about The Station Inn on a program on Circle TV called "Landmarks." He and his wife, Kristen, were featured on an episode of "The Better Half" on the Circle TV;

· Regular performer on the Grand Ole Opry, having made over 80 appearances;

· His Follow Your Heart Scholarship Program has provided 18 scholarships to area Grenada Students;

· His Follow Your Heart Arts Program has given away over 230 guitars and 80 Ukuleles as well as provide free lessons to students. The program has also trained select students to be teachers in the program and in private practice. The students have also been taken to tour music heritage sites in the Mississippi Delta and graduate on the stage of the Grammy Museum in Cleveland, Mississippi;

· Featured on an episode of ABC's 2020 program called "Country Strong 2020," along with Darius Rucker, Ashley McBryde and Jimmie Allen; and

WHEREAS, Charlie Worsham, one of Nashville's most respected and beloved Artists, released his new EP, Sugarcane, last summer on Warner Music Nashville. Produced by Jay Joyce, Sugarcane is an emotional homecoming for Worsham. What began as personal reflections from a daily writing exercise grew into six songs that celebrate the love, perseverance and struggles experienced through life. Released to widespread acclaim, The Tennessean praises, "In releasing what may be his most personal collection of songs yet, Charlie Worsham has never sounded more universal," while Forbes declares, "Its six tracks are fit for country radio, packed with Worsham's personal anecdotes and full vocals." In addition to his own work, Worsham is a frequent collaborator, having recently worked with Dierks Bentley, Eric Church, Brandy Clark, Luke Combs, Vince Gill, Kacey Musgraves, Marty Stuart, Carrie Underwood and Keith Urban, among several others; and

WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we commend an outstanding home-grown musical talent who has brought honor to his family, his community and to the State of Mississippi:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby extend the recognition and congratulations of the Mississippi Senate to Award-Winning Country Singer, Songwriter and Musician Charlie Worsham from Jackson, Mississippi, and extend our best wishes to Charlie and his family for future success.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Charlie Worsham, forwarded to the Mississippi Tourism Association and the Mississippi Arts Commission, and be made available to the Capitol Press Corps.