Charlie Worsham Invited to Join the Grand Ole Opry by Vince Gill

Vince Gill surprised Charlie with the invitation at the Ryman Auditorium, with his official Opry induction set for later this year.

Written by Amanda Tempel

Date Published: August 8, 2026

Twenty years to the day after Charlie Worsham moved to Nashville, one of his biggest dreams came true.

Charlie was invited to become the newest member of the Grand Ole Opry on Friday, August 7, with his longtime friend and mentor Vince Gill delivering the surprise invitation on stage at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium.

The moment came during the fifth night of Vince’s six-show, sold-out Ryman residency, and on the same day Charlie released his new album, Once Upon a Second Time Around.

After Charlie performed “Wrap My Porch Around” from the new project, Vince revealed he had been keeping a major secret.

“I've been keeping this a secret for a long time,” Vince told him. “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.”

An emotional Charlie reflected on the influence Vince has had on his career, calling him his “North Star.” He recalled asking Vince about what he said when he was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame, and Charlie borrowed that sentiment for his own milestone.

“Now I’m going to try to go earn it,” Charlie said, before adding, “This is definitely the ultimate dream.”

Charlie Worsham’s Opry Debut

For Charlie, becoming an Opry member will bring a relationship with the institution that began nearly three decades ago full circle.

The Grenada, Mississippi, native made his Grand Ole Opry debut in 1997 when he was just 12 years old and already a Junior National Banjo Champion. Two years later, the Mississippi Senate commended him for his musical accomplishments.

After high school, Charlie moved to Boston to study at Berklee College of Music before eventually making his way to Nashville. He spent several years as a member of the band KingBilly before launching his solo career.

Over the years, Charlie has built a reputation not only as an artist and songwriter, but also as one of Nashville’s most respected musicians.

His career has included opening for Brad Paisley, Old Crow Medicine Show, Taylor Swift, Miranda Lambert, and Kenny Rogers. He has also contributed his musicianship to recordings by artists including Eric Church, Luke Combs, Chris Shiflett, and others.

Charlie has worked as lead guitarist in Dierks Bentley’s band, and he is currently a member of Vince’s touring band. His musicianship has also earned him major industry recognition, including ACM Acoustic Guitar Player of the Year, CMA Musician of the Year, and a CMA Touring Award for Touring Musician of the Year.

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

Rogers praised Charlie’s respect for country music traditions, his willingness to look toward the future, and the versatility that allows him to move between country, bluegrass, and the sounds of his native Mississippi.

“I am thrilled his boundless talents and huge heart will have a forever home on the Grand Ole Opry,” Dan said.

How to Get Tickets to Charlie Worsham’s Opry Induction

Charlie will officially become a member of the Grand Ole Opry later this year, but his induction date has not yet been announced.

The Opry has created a dedicated page where fans can sign up for updates and be among the first to know when Charlie’s induction date is revealed. For anyone hoping to attend the milestone night, signing up for those alerts is the best option right now.

Once the date is announced, ticket information is expected to be available through the Grand Ole Opry.

New Music from Charlie Worsham

The Opry invitation arrives at a fitting point in Charlie’s career.

His new album, Once Upon a Second Time Around, was released August 7, exactly 20 years after he moved to Nashville. The project draws from the wide range of music that has shaped him, including the bluegrass he grew up playing in Mississippi, the guitar-driven rock of artists like Lynyrd Skynyrd and Tom Petty, and the storytelling traditions of artists and songwriters including James Taylor, Don Schlitz, Vince Gill, and Marty Stuart.

Now, two decades after making the move to Music City, Charlie is preparing for another career milestone: officially taking his place in the Grand Ole Opry family.