Charlie Worsham has a strong foothold in the world of country music. From his own musical efforts to his distinctive penmanship on other people’s records, Worsham is an ace to have in the studio. Moreover, his prowess on stringed instruments cannot be denied. He spent the summer playing alongside Dierks Bentley—who also features on Worsham’s latest release, Compadres—as part of his touring band. Elsewhere he has ties to the likes of Ashley McBryde, Lainey Wilson, Elle King, Kip Moore, and Luke Combs—Compadres features many of these artists.
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The five-track project is a testament to just how revered Worsham is in the country community. Few artists could get this many genre heavyweights on one album.
American Songwriter recently sat down with Worsham at Franklin, Tennessee’s Pilgrimage Festival to discuss the EP, his songwriting advice, and more.
[RELATED: 5 Songs You Didn’t Know Charlie Worsham Wrote for Other Artists]
American Songwriter: So firstly, can you just walk me through what makes Pilgrimage so special as a festival?
Charlie Worsham: This is my first time at Pilgrimage. I’ve always had gigs [while this was going on]. I’ve wised up and booked a gig here. My family is here with me. My two-and-a-half-year-old son–we just realized this is his first festival, and it’s perfect. It’s a home game. Part of what makes it so special is that it is in our backyard.
AS: Is there anyone on the lineup you’re excited for?
CW: I’ve spent the last few summers playing in Dierks Bentley’s band. We just wrapped up this summer at Red Rocks and Ashley McBryde opened up night one for us. I just love Ashley (who was also on the Pilgrimage lineup).
I was actually just talking to her in passing. I have this tradition that when she has new music out, I put on my headphones, do yard work, and listen to it on repeat.
AS: You also have a new project out, Compadres, that features Lainey Wilson, Luke Combs, Bentley, and more. Can you talk about the inspiration behind the EP and why you wanted to collaborate with these artists?
CW: I realized I couldn’t have made this album at any other point in my life. I’m 17 years into living in Nashville. I’ve toured and written for my compadres–some of my favorite people, favorite voices, and songwriting pens in country music.
AS: What’s the best songwriting advice you’ve ever been given?
CW: Oh, there is no shortage of great songwriting advice. I think it’s a good habit to write every day–first thing in the morning. It doesn’t have to be good, in fact, there is a great saying: crap makes the best fertilizer. So don’t be afraid to write crap.
But, there is something about waking up your inner songwriter, kicking them out of bed, and spending the day with them. If you don’t, that songwriter is going to stay in bed all day. If your inner songwriter is spending the day with you, they’re gonna pick up on those cool turns of phrases. That’s where all those great ideas come from.
AS: You were recently nominated for a CMA for Musician of the Year. Can you talk about what that means to you?
CW: It felt great. It felt like winning, honestly, just to get the nomination. I know that’s a cliche, but people say it because it’s true. The Musician of the Year category means so much to me because that’s how I got into this.
Before I sang or wrote a song, I wanted to play guitar like Lynyrd Skynyrd. I had my little foam headphones on, listening to Marty Stuart records with a stick in my hand pretending it was a guitar.
All of the nominees are some of my favorite people to make music with. Just to be included is such a cool feeling.
Photo by Jason Davis/Getty Images for Beaulieu Vineyard
