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Charlie Worsham keeps on riding ‘Crazy Train’
By John Benson
Long before an artist releases a debut album, the notion of engaging a fan base often requires finding a gimmick.
Charlie Worsham, who over the past five years has been considered one of Nashville’s up-and-coming artists, decided to create a series on his website called the “Cover Challenge.” This involved fans picking a song for him to remake. The only issue was the multi-instrumentalist Worsham had to learn it and record it on his own in only 24 hours.
Unlikely highlights of the “Cover Challenge” include Katy Perry’s “Roar” and Psy’s “Gangnam Style.” However, it turned out Worsham’s version of Ozzy Osbourne’s “Crazy Train” exceeded expectations by showcasing his creative energy and country sensibility.
Fans of Worsham’s can expect to hear the classic-rock staple Saturday at his Youngstown-area headlining debut show at the Dusty Armadillo.
“The thing is, you can make cover songs work for you or against you,” said Worsham, calling from Music City. “I believe it’s important in long shows not to wear out your audience if they don’t know all of your songs by heart. Covers can show a side of you, whether it’s your sense of humor, who you revere or where your influences come from.
“They can also allow you to host a better party on stage, and with ‘Crazy Train’ for me, it does that. People get a kick out of it and have a good time and see this side of me. And I get a chance to play banjo.”
What fans are enjoying now is Worsham’s debut album, “Rubberband,” which was released last summer and so far includes hit single “Could It Be.”
Not only did Worsham write/co-write and produce the entire album, but he got to record with his idols Marty Stuart and Vince Gill on the song “Tools of The Trade.”
In theory, the notion of an unknown artist recording with Nashville legends seems like a cliched marketing plan, but Worsham claims he’s doing this best to keep the industry influence at an arm’s length.
“The real beauty of ‘Rubberband’ to me is it wasn’t a self-aware record,” Worsham said. “It was just me and a few of my really close friends making the best music we can make and making something we’d want to listen to ourselves.”
Still, Worsham recently found himself as part of the promotion machine by starring in a guest-role appearance on Fox show “Bones.” Not only did he have a speaking part as a fictional country-music artist, but Worsham’s character actually suffered a gnarly death.
When asked if he’s worried about tempting fate by playing a country singer who meets such a gruesome ending, Worsham said, laughing, “I think the issue was my character found out he was big in the Philippines and started dating his landlord. I guess the message is don’t ever date your landlord, which I’m not worried about. I should be safe.”