Charlie Worsham’s Once Upon a Second Time Around: Tracklist, Songwriters & More
The project marks Worsham’s first full-length independent album and arrived exactly 20 years after he moved to Nashville.
Written by Amanda Tempel
Date Published: July 8, 2026
Last Updated: September 8, 2026
Charlie Worsham released his new album, Once Upon a Second Time Around, on August 7, 2026. The 12-track project is his first full-length album as an independent artist and features collaborations with Lainey Wilson, Stephen Wilson Jr., and The Travelin’ McCourys.
The album arrived exactly 20 years after Worsham moved to Nashville and reflects on the life he has built along the way, including his career in country music, marriage, fatherhood, and the perspective that comes with seeing some of his longtime dreams become reality.
After more than a decade on a major label, Worsham stepped away to make the record on his own terms. Once Upon a Second Time Around brings together the country, bluegrass, Southern rock, and singer-songwriter influences that have shaped his career.
Worsham described the project as the culmination of his first 20 years in Nashville, with songs centered on fatherhood, marriage, and the highs and lows that have come with pursuing a career in music.
The album’s release day also brought another major milestone for Worsham when Vince Gill surprised him with an invitation to join the Grand Ole Opry.
RELATED: Read more about Charlie Worsham’s Grand Ole Opry invitation and upcoming induction.
When Was Charlie Worsham’s Once Upon a Second Time Around Released?
Charlie Worsham released Once Upon a Second Time Around on August 7, 2026.
The release came exactly 20 years after he first moved to Nashville and marks his first full-length project as an independent artist.
Across the album, Worsham draws from the musicianship, songwriting, relationships, and personal experiences that have shaped his career.
A two-time ACM Acoustic Guitar Player of the Year and CMA Musician of the Year, Worsham has also written songs recorded by Kenny Chesney, Luke Combs, and Dierks Bentley. He has worked with artists including Eric Church, Kacey Musgraves, Ella Langley, Max McNown, and Carrie Underwood.
Once Upon a Second Time Around Tracklist and Songwriters
Once Upon a Second Time Around includes 12 tracks, with Worsham serving as a writer on several songs.
Powers That Be — Charlie Worsham, Jaren Johnston, James McNair
Whiskeysippi — Jon Nite, Andrew DeRoberts, Drew Parker
Wrap My Porch Around — Charlie Worsham, Jesse Frasure, Jaren Johnston
Blue Collar And A Purple Heart — Charlie Worsham
They Never Do (feat. Lainey Wilson) — Lainey Wilson, Jason Nix, Dallas Wilson
Grass — Charlie Worsham, John Osborne, Jesse Frasure
Family Man — Matt Rogers, Ben Stennis, Josh Jenkins
Years Go By (feat. Stephen Wilson Jr.) — Charlie Worsham, Stephen Wilson Jr.
Once Upon A Second Time Around — Charlie Worsham, Jay Knowles
Good Hurt — Jon Nite, Walker Hayes
Pencil ‘raser
Wrap My Porch Around (feat. The Travelin’ McCourys)
Charlie Worsham and Stephen Wilson Jr. Team Up for “Years Go By”
Along with the album, Worsham released the official music video for “Years Go By,” featuring Stephen Wilson Jr.
Worsham and Stephen Wilson Jr. co-wrote the song during a Zoom writing session that developed into a conversation between two fathers about life, family, and how quickly time passes.
Rather than focusing on what has been lost over the years, “Years Go By” looks at the perspective that can come with getting older and learning to appreciate the life unfolding around you.
Worsham also pointed to his longtime friendship with Stephen Wilson Jr. and the way their voices and guitar playing come together on the recording.
Charlie Worsham Releases “Powers That Be”
Ahead of the album’s release, Worsham introduced the project with “Powers That Be.”
The song reflects one of the themes found throughout Once Upon a Second Time Around: finding contentment in the life you have built rather than always focusing on whatever might come next.
Musically, “Powers That Be” brings together Worsham’s country, bluegrass, and rock influences.
Worsham has said the song was influenced by classic rock, including Led Zeppelin, Jimi Hendrix, and The Rolling Stones, while still maintaining his own country and bluegrass roots.
“Wrap My Porch Around” Gets Two Versions
Once Upon a Second Time Around includes two versions of “Wrap My Porch Around,” including a bluegrass version featuring The Travelin’ McCourys.
The song focuses on choosing a grounded life with someone you love, while the two versions give Worsham the opportunity to showcase different sides of his musical background.
The idea of recording both versions was inspired in part by Vince Gill, who previously recorded two versions of “High Lonesome Sound.”
The bluegrass version of “Wrap My Porch Around” also has another Vince Gill connection: it was recorded at Gill’s house, with Worsham playing one of Gill’s guitars during the session.
Worsham has also pointed to Dierks Bentley’s history of incorporating bluegrass musicians into his records as another influence on the approach.
Charlie Worsham Partners With ONErpm
For his first full-length independent album, Worsham partnered with ONErpm for distribution.
Worsham said conversations with ONErpm Managing Director-Nashville Mike Easterlin and his management team focused on family, perspective, mentors, and what mattered most rather than picking apart the music itself.
For Worsham, the partnership offered the chance to work with a team that trusted his musical direction and allowed the songs to remain at the center of the project.
ONErpm describes itself as an independent music company offering services that include music distribution, marketing, rights management, and other tools for artists.
Who Wrote Charlie Worsham’s “Good Hurt”?
“Good Hurt,” the tenth track on Once Upon a Second Time Around, was written by Jon Nite and Walker Hayes.
Who Wrote “Once Upon a Second Time Around”?
Charlie Worsham co-wrote the album’s title track, “Once Upon a Second Time Around,” with Jay Knowles.
Charlie Worsham Invited to Join the Grand Ole Opry
Once Upon a Second Time Around wasn’t Worsham’s only milestone on August 7.
Later that day, Vince Gill surprised Worsham on stage at the Ryman Auditorium with an invitation to become the newest member of the Grand Ole Opry.
The invitation came exactly 20 years after Worsham moved to Nashville. His connection to the Opry stretches back even further, as he first performed on the Grand Ole Opry when he was 12 years old.
His official Grand Ole Opry induction is scheduled to take place later in 2026.
Read more about Charlie Worsham’s Grand Ole Opry invitation and upcoming induction
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