Charlie Worsham’s Once Upon A Second Time Around: Tracklist, Collaborations & Album Details
Charlie Worsham’s first full-length independent album is out now, featuring Lainey Wilson, Stephen Wilson Jr., and The Travelin’ McCourys.
Written by Amanda Tempel
Date Published: July 8, 2026
Last Updated: August 8, 2026
Charlie Worsham has released his new album, Once Upon A Second Time Around, marking his first full-length project as an independent artist.
Released August 7, exactly 20 years after Charlie moved to Nashville, the album reflects on the life he has built along the way, from his career in country music to marriage, fatherhood, and finding a different perspective on the dreams he once chased.
After more than a decade on a major label, Charlie stepped away to make the record on his own terms. The result brings together the country, bluegrass, Southern rock, and singer-songwriter influences that have shaped his career, with guest appearances from Lainey Wilson, Stephen Wilson Jr., and The Travelin’ McCourys.
“I can’t think of a better way to celebrate 20 years in Nashville than with the release of ‘Once Upon A Second Time Around,’” Charlie shared. “This record is the culmination of two decades of making music with friends, becoming forever embedded in the Nashville Country Music community. It’s a record that could only be made by me, at this moment in time. These songs tell a story of fatherhood, marriage, and living a dream with all the ups and downs that come with an authentic life.”
Charlie Worsham and Stephen Wilson Jr. Team Up for “Years Go By”
Along with the album, Charlie released the official music video for “Years Go By,” featuring fellow songwriter and collaborator Stephen Wilson Jr.
The two co-wrote the song during a Zoom writing session that became a conversation between two fathers about life, family, and how quickly time passes.
Rather than dwelling on what has been lost along the way, “Years Go By” looks at the perspective that comes with getting older and learning to appreciate the life unfolding around you.
“I’m well aware what it means to have the chance to collaborate with Stephen Wilson, Jr. in this moment,” Charlie said. “To me, he’s an old pal who was patient enough for the world to catch up to him, and I love cheering him on through this rocket ship moment. This song was born over a Zoom writing session that turned into two dads talking about life, fatherhood, and the passage of time. You’re gonna love how our voices blend, but be sure not to miss how our guitar-picking hands blend too.”
Charlie Worsham Releases “Powers That Be”
Ahead of the album’s release, Charlie introduced the project with “Powers That Be.”
The song highlights one of the album’s central ideas: finding contentment in the life you have built instead of constantly chasing what comes next. Musically, the track leans into Charlie’s mix of country, bluegrass, and Southern rock influences.
Showcasing some of his early musical influences on the track, Charlie shared, “‘Powers That Be’ takes my rock and roll influence to the next level. I modeled the dynamic shift from verse to chorus after my favorite Led Zeppelin track, ‘Ramble On.’ And you might hear a Jimi Hendrix lick or two in the solo. I joke that ‘Powers That Be’ is my hillbilly version of the Stones’ ‘You Can’t Always Get What You Want.’ Cause if you try sometimes, you do get what you need.”
“Wrap My Porch Around” Gets Two Versions
Charlie also released two versions of “Wrap My Porch Around,” including a bluegrass version featuring The Travelin’ McCourys.
The song centers on choosing a grounded life with someone you love, and the two versions allowed Charlie to represent different sides of his musical foundation.
“Wrap My Porch Around is one of the most autobiographical songs on the new record, and it felt like the perfect candidate to represent both my love of modern country music AND my love of bluegrass,” Charlie explained. “Of course, I pulled a page from the book of Vince Gill. It was his example, recording two versions of High Lonesome Sound, that inspired me to do the same with Porch. In a full-circle moment, we cut the bluegrass version at Vince’s house.
“I didn’t even pull my dreadnought out of the case that day, opting for one of Vince’s old D18s.”
Charlie added, “There’s also a nod to Dierks with Porch… I always took note of the way Dierks mixed ‘the kick ass with the bluegrass’ and often featured heroes like Bryan Sutton, Sam Bush, or more often than not, the Travelin’ McCourys on the last track on his records. Songs like ‘When You Gonna Find A Good Man Like Me,’ or one I happened to co-write with Travis Howard, ‘Heart Of A Lonely Girl.’ Keeping a good tradition alive is, to me, one of the most forward-thinking things you can do in country music.”
Charlie Worsham Partners With ONErpm
For his first full-length independent album, Charlie partnered with ONErpm for distribution.
Speaking about the partnership, ONErpm Managing Director-Nashville Mike Easterlin shared the company’s excitement about working with Charlie.
“Charlie is one of the most respected musicians, songwriters, and artists in Nashville. His talent, authenticity, and unwavering commitment to his craft have earned him the admiration of both fans and his peers. Everyone at ONErpm is honored that Charlie has chosen us as his partner, and we’re excited to support the next chapter of an already remarkable career.”
For Charlie, the partnership offered the opportunity to release the project with a team that trusted his vision for the music.
“A few weeks ago, I sat down to breakfast with Mike Easterlin and my management team, knowing there was a chance we'd partner on the release of Once Upon A Second Time Around,” Charlie shared when the partnership was announced. “We spent the morning talking about family, the perspective that comes with time in this business, mentors, and what really matters. What struck me most was what we didn't talk about. We never picked apart the music. It was simply understood that the music was the foundation, and the goal was to support it and give it every opportunity to find its audience.”
He added, “So much of my 20 years in Nashville has felt like jumping through hoops just to get the music out into the world. To work with a partner who trusts me—and who believes in serving the songs instead of second-guessing them—means everything. I admire Mike's hard-earned experience, and I love locking arms with people who are willing to bet on great music. I'm grateful to be starting this next chapter with ONErpm and excited for what's ahead.”
Once Upon A Second Time Around Tracklist
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)
When Was Charlie Worsham’s Once Upon A Second Time Around Released?
Charlie released Once Upon A Second Time Around on August 7, 2026.
The album marks his first full-length project as an independent artist and arrives 20 years after he first moved to Nashville. Across the project, Charlie draws on the musicianship, songwriting, relationships, and personal experiences that have shaped those two decades.
A two-time ACM Acoustic Guitar Player of the Year and CMA Musician of the Year, Charlie has also written songs recorded by artists including Kenny Chesney, Luke Combs, and Dierks Bentley, while working with artists including Eric Church, Kacey Musgraves, Ella Langley, Max McNown, and Carrie Underwood.
Charlie Worsham Invited to Join the Grand Ole Opry
The album wasn’t Charlie’s only major milestone on August 7.
Later that day, Vince Gill surprised Charlie on stage at the Ryman Auditorium with an invitation to become the newest member of the Grand Ole Opry.
The moment came exactly 20 years after Charlie moved to Nashville and brought another part of his journey full circle. Charlie first performed on the Grand Ole Opry when he was just 12 years old.
His official Opry induction is set to take place later this year.
Read more about Charlie Worsham’s Grand Ole Opry invitation and upcoming induction.
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