Charlie Worsham was all smiles as he took the stage Monday night for his first of five shows at Nashville’s Basement East this August. An acclaimed artist, musician, and songwriter, the Mississippi native focused the night on the blues, from Aretha Franklin to Little Feat, sprinkling in a few new songs of his own.
“This is all great music by a string of artists who taught me how to play,” Worsham said. He glanced at his set list. “Aw, this is a great one too.”
Joined by long-time friends Steve Sinatra and Matt Utterback, who play for Hunter Hayes, the blues-filled night felt most like an open jam session. Worsham possesses the subtlety of a musician who isn’t there to boast – though he’s arguably one of the most dextrous guitarists in Nashville, he – and his companions’ – solos were each in service of the song, with a story arc that built, in time or intentional off-step, to a strong resolution. To a trained ear, it was impressive – to a casual listener, it felt good.
It seemed to feel great to Worsham, who was ecstatic and at ease from start to finish. The show was the first of five he will play at the Basement East this August in support of his Follow Your Heart Scholarship, which supports students in the arts in his hometown of Grenada, Mississippi and which he repeatedly thanked attendees for supporting. No two shows in his August run will be the same; yesterday’s offering was resoundingly bluesy, and he announced that next week’s will lean on on classic country, for which he’ll be joined by Brent Cobb.
“In my early twenties, my parents surprised me at Christmas with an autographed book of photography by Marty Stuart,” Worsham writes. “Though Stuart is best known for his contributions to country music, he is also an accomplished photographer – a passion he developed from watching his mother take pictures throughout her life. My parents had asked Marty to sign the book ‘To Charlie, follow your dreams.’ Marty grinned and scribbled something down. When mom and dad opened the book to the autographed page, they discovered that Marty had written ‘To Charlie, follow your heart.’ Mississippi is home to some of the greatest artists of all time: William Faulkner, BB King, Oprah Winfrey, Jimmie Rodgers, Elvis Presley, Tammy Wynette, Charley Pride, Jerry Clower, Morgan Freeman, Eudora Welty, and the list goes on and on and on. If we are to continue to have great artists from Mississippi succeed in today’s world, we have to invest in their hopes and dreams. I want the next John Grisham or Marty Stuart to come from Grenada. This is my reason for creating the Follow Your Heart Scholarship. I am partnering with The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee to provide a scholarship to support the youth of Grenada, Mississippi—my hometown— who possess uncommon talent and desire to achieve great things in the arts, just like I have had the opportunity to do.”
To support Worsham’s Follow Your Heart Scholarship, donate here, or catch him at The Basement East any Monday this August.