Charlie Worsham sits down with ESPN’s Wright Thompson at the Lyceum on the University of Mississippi campus for a wide-ranging conversation about why Mississippi history, music, literature, and more. They trace lines from Delta juke joints to Chicago clubs, from cotton pickers to electric guitars, and from Emmett Till to James Meredith. The two swap stories about Dockery Farms, Doe’s Eat Place, and the last true jukes. It’s a heartfelt, unsparing, and hopeful tour of Mississippi from the sharecropping era into the present day.

Mississippi places mentioned: Univesity of Mississippi Lyceum (Oxford), Clarksdale, Bolivar County, Shelby, Bentonia, Blue Front Café (Bentonia), Grenada, Dockery Farms (near Cleveland), Vicksburg, Drew, Marigold, Tutwiler, Ruleville, Indianola, Hopson Plantation (Clarksdale), Delta Blues Museum (Clarksdale), Greenville, Doe’s Eat Place (Greenville), Bellazar’s (Boyle), Crawdad’s (Cleveland), Lillo’s (Leland), Raymond’s (Clarksdale), Airport Grocery (Cleveland), Fratesi’s (Leland), Po’ Monkey’s Lounge (Merigold), Red’s Lounge (Clarksdale), Club Ebony (Indianola), Harlem Inn (Leland), Mississippi Civil Rights Museum (Jackson), Yazoo City.

People mentioned: Willie Morris, David Ray Morris, Wesley Jefferson, Big Jack Johnson, Muddy Waters, Jimmie Rodgers, Ken Burns, the Carter Family, Taylor Swift, John Marascalco, Little Richard, Magic Sam, Magic Slim, Édouard Manet, Claude Monet, Super Chikan, Charlie Patton, Willie Brown, Pop Staples, Robert Johnson, Son House, Buddy Guy, Christone “Kingfish” Ingram, Henry Sloan, Howlin’ Wolf, Mavis Staples, Emmett Till, Fowler McCormick, Pinetop Perkins, Alan Lomax, Chess brothers, Johnny Winter, Edgar Winter, Bob Margolin, Michael Houser, Eudora Welty, Ray Wylie Hubbard, Robert Earl Keen, Jimmy Buffett, Hayley Williams, Bo Diddley, Public Enemy, Eric Clapton, Will Dockery, Sam Cooke, Dr. Dre, Nate Dogg, Eazy-E, J. W. Milam, Jimmy “Duck” Holmes, Jerry Lee Lewis, Elvis Presley, Marilyn Manson, Thomas Merton, Ross Barnett, William Winter, Ray Mabus, Haley Barbour, Tate Reeves, Bruce Springsteen, James Meredith, Buck Randall, Jim Weatherly, Gladys Knight, Myrlie Evers, Medgar Evers, Archie Manning, Steve Vaught, Donna Tartt, John Grisham, Jerry Garcia, Kiese Laymon, Jesmyn Ward, and Natasha Trethewey.

Mississippi on the Map welcomes Michael Hardy, a.k.a. HARDY, a multi-platinum artist and songwriter whose roots run deep in Neshoba County. From cabins at the Neshoba County Fairgrounds to arrowheads found along hunting camp creek beds, Hardy’s childhood memories fuel his songwriting and his love of place. In this episode, he joins host Charlie Worsham to talk about the powerful ways Mississippi continues to shape his life and music.

Hardy shares stories of growing up in Philadelphia, discovering rock ’n’ roll on cassette tapes in his dad’s truck, and finding success in the music industry. He recalls the unique culture of the Neshoba County Fair, his passion for Native American history, and an unforgettable visit to the Lynyrd Skynyrd crash site near McComb. He also reflects on the pride of returning home to perform at Mississippi State’s Dudy Noble Field, connecting his music career to his lifelong love of MS athletics.

Whether he’s writing about “Bottomland” or reflecting on his Mississippi roots, Hardy embodies the storytelling spirit at the heart of America’s music.

Learn more about Hardy’s charitable foundation at: thehardyfund.com.

Mississippi Places Mentioned: Neshoba County Fair; Dudy Noble Field; Davis Wade Stadium; Dockery Farms; Natchez Trace Parkway; Philadelphia, Mississippi; Pearl River bottomlands; Starkville; Mississippi State University; McComb; Liberty; Lynyrd Skynyrd crash site; Mississippi Delta, Clarksdale, Nanih Waiya; Natchez.

People and Groups Mentioned: Ashley Gorley, Bad Company, Boston, Brent Cobb, Brett Favre, Charlie Patton, CJ Solar, Chuck Etheridge, Craig Wiseman, Derek George, Eminem, Florida Georgia Line, Ike Turner, Jeff Stewart, Jerry Clower, Jimmie Rodgers, John Mellencamp, Joey Moi, Ketch Secor, Kid Rock, Lainey Wilson, Led Zeppelin, Lightnin’ Hopkins, Marty Stuart, Morgan Freeman, Morgan Wallen, Oprah Winfrey, Pearl Jam, Pearl River (band), Pops Staples, Robert Johnson, Robert Plant, Son House, The Eagles, William Faulkner, Wright Thompson, Zac Selmon.

Academy Award–winning actor Morgan Freeman joins host Charlie Worsham for a rare podcast interview at Ground Zero Blues Club in Clarksdale. Alongside Ground Zero Blues Club co-owner Eric Meier, Freeman discusses his Mississippi roots, his journey through music, military service, and film, and the creation of the Symphonic Blues Experience — a touring production that blends orchestral arrangements, cinematic narration, and Mississippi blues. The conversation also explores the state’s cultural legacy, its contributions to American music, and the evolving future of the blues.

Following the interview, Worsham joined Freeman, Meier, and Howard Stovall on stage in New York City’s Central Park for a live Q&A and performance as part of the Symphonic Blues Experience tour. A short highlight from that event appears at the end of this episode.

Mississippi Places Mentioned: Ground Zero Blues Club, Alligator, Biloxi, Charleston, Clarksdale, Drew, Greenwood, Meridian, Mississippi Delta, North Mississippi

People and Groups Mentioned: Al Green, Anthony “Big A” Sherrod, B.B. King, Bill Haley, Bobby Rush, Cedric Burnside, Castro “Mr. Sipp” Coleman, Elvis Presley, Emmett Till, Eric Clapton, Howard Stovall, Jackie Brenston and His Delta Cats, Jaxx Nassar, Jimmie Rodgers, Little Walter, Louis Armstrong, Muddy Waters, North Mississippi Allstars, Robert Johnson, Rosa Parks

In this episode of Mississippi on the Map, host Charlie Worsham sits down with former Governor Haley Barbour for a far-ranging conversation about music, memory, and Mississippi. From his upbringing in Yazoo City to the civil rights era and navigating the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, Governor Barbour reflects on the moments and people who shaped his life — including Willie Morris, Jerry Clower, Johnny Cash, and Ronald Reagan. He shares how Mississippi earned the title Birthplace of America’s Music and why he believes the state’s greatest progress lies ahead.

Mississippi places referenced in this episode:

Mississippi Civil Rights Museum, Museum of Mississippi History, Tougaloo College, Mississippi Country Music Trail, Mississippi Blues Trail, Johnny Cash and Starkville City Jail (trail marker), The Westin Jackson, Glenwood Cemetery, Yazoo City, Liberty, Mississippi State University, Jackson, University of Mississippi, Grenada, Mississippi Delta, Mississippi Chemical Corporation, Tad Smith Coliseum, Biloxi, Coastal Mississippi, Natchez, Meridian, Tupelo, Indianola.

People and groups mentioned in this episode: Leland Speed, Dorsey Brothers, Glenn Miller, Lawrence Welk, Johnny Cash, The Beatles, Elvis Presley, Duke Bardwell, the Greek Fountains, Marsha Barbour, Marty Stuart, Michael Henderson, Stevie Wonder, Miles Davis, Fletcher Cox, Willie Brown, Stella Stevens, Zig Ziglar, Willie Morris, George W. Bush, Jerry Clower, "Gentle Ben" Williams, Owen Cooper, William Faulkner, Eudora Welty, Governor Phil Bryant, Governor William Winter, Ruben Anderson, Hezekiah Watkins, Jim Weatherly, James Meredith, Millsaps College, Verna Lee Bailey, James Brown, Johnny Mathis, Dionne Warwick, the Mamas and the Papas, Jimmie Rodgers, B.B. King, John Grisham, June Cash, Jim Barksdale, Burt Case, Senator Thad Cochran, Representative Barney Frank, Mac McAnally, Ketch Secor, Chris Stapleton, Charley Pride, President Bill Clinton, Jim Free, President Jimmy Carter, Charlie Daniels, President Ronald Reagan, Lester Flatt.

In this episode of Mississippi on the Map, host Charlie Worsham sits down with 11-time Grammy-winning singer-songwriter Chris Stapleton for a conversation recorded at the Congress of Country Music in Philadelphia, Mississippi. Together, they explore the deep ties between blues and country music, from Pops Staples' signature tremolo to the poetry and songwriting methods of the late Mike Henderson. Chris shares stories about recording “Friendship,” chasing elusive guitar sounds, and how he came to play a guitar that was owned by three country music legends (Hank, Johnny, and Marty). With warmth, humor, and humility, Chris reflects on influence, legacy, and the blues roots that run through every chord of American music.

Mississippi places mentioned in this episode: Congress of Country Music, B.B. King Museum, Elvis Presley Birthplace, Philadelphia, Indianola, Mississippi Delta, Tupelo, Meridian.

People and groups mentioned in this episode: Marty Stuart, Pops Staples, Mavis Staples, Dave Cobb, Mike Henderson, B.B. King, Elvis Presley, Jimmie Rodgers, Bill Monroe, Johnny Cash, Hank Williams Sr., George Jones, Charley Pride, William Faulkner, Eudora Welty.

Grammy-winning artist and cultural ambassador Marty Stuart reflects on his Mississippi roots, his life in music, and the power of reconciliation. From his childhood in Philadelphia to launching the Congress of Country Music in his hometown, Marty shares the values, stories, and people who shaped his journey. He and Charlie Worsham explore what makes Mississippi unique—and why coming home still holds so much meaning.

They discuss the true story that inspired The Pilgrim, recording with legends like Merle Haggard in Oxford, the origins of Marty's massive collection of historic music artifacts, and the importance of telling Mississippi’s story with truth and heart. Along the way, they touch on everything from Waffle House-sponsored tours to the spiritual weight of the Delta, the brilliance of Faulkner, and the joy and peace of coming home.

Mississippi places mentioned in this episode: Marty Stuart's Congress of Country Music, Rowan Oak, Gertrude C. Ford Center for the Performing Arts, Square Books, GRAMMY Museum® Mississippi, Neshoba County Fair, Choctaw Indian Fair, Philadelphia, Mississippi Delta, Oxford.

People and groups mentioned in this episode: Connie Smith, The Fabulous Superlatives, Hardy, Jimmie Rodgers, Howard Cole, Porter Wagoner, Wilburn Brothers, Del Reeves, Flatt and Scruggs, Johnny Cash, B.B. King, Elvis Presley, Tammy Wynette, Charley Pride, Conway Twitty, Haley Barbour, Phil Bryant, Faith Hill, LeAnn Rimes, Lloyd Green, Patsy Cline, Minnie Pearl, Jimmy Swan, Roy Acuff, Chet Atkins, Tom T. Hall, Dixie Hall, Pops Staples, the Staple Singers, Mavis Staples, Yvonne Staples, Chapel Hart, Will D. Campbell, Marc Dottore, Kathy Mattea, Robert Khayat, Paul Kingsbury, William Faulkner, Oprah Winfrey, Morgan Freeman, Ketch Secor, Old Crow Medicine Show, Merle Haggard, The Strangers, the Louvin Brothers, Carl Jackson, Del McCoury, Rhonda Vincent, Eddie Stubbs, Lester Flatt, Jim Weatherly, John Grisham, the Mannings (Archie, Peyton, Eli), Willie Morris, Mac McAnally, Howlin’ Wolf.

In this episode, singer-songwriter, producer, and Country Music Hall of Fame member Mac McAnally reflects on his journey from the small town of Belmont, Mississippi, to playing sold-out shows around the world. A master storyteller with deep roots in the South, Mac talks about how Mississippi shaped his sense of melody, lyrics, and humility—and why he still carries that small-town spirit onto every stage.

Along the way, he shares stories of playing with Jimmy Buffett, producing albums for other Mississippi greats, and why he believes music is both a map and a memory. It’s a conversation full of wisdom, warmth, and a deep love for the people and places that made him who he is.

Mississippi places mentioned in this episode: Belmont, Grenada, Tishomingo County, Corinth, Tremont, Coastal Mississippi.

People and groups mentioned in this episode: Jimmy Buffett, Speer Family, Blackwood Brothers, Kenny Chesney, Norbert Putnam, William Faulkner, Eudora Welty, Paul Overstreet, Willie Morris, Robert Greenidge, Doyle Grisham, Tammy Wynette, Garth Brooks, Wynton Marsalis, Ralph MacDonald, Marty Stewart, B.B. King, Pops Staples, Jimmie Rodgers, Elvis Presley.

In Part 2 of Charlie Worsham’s conversation with Old Crow Medicine Show’s Ketch Secor, the focus deepens from lighthearted place-name rhymes to the soul-searching power of music. Ketch reflects on the stories behind songs like “Mississippi Saturday Night,” the roots of “Wagon Wheel,” and the long musical thread that runs from Arthur Crudup to Bob Dylan to himself. He also discusses cultural revival and the role music can play in reckoning with the past and reimagining a better future. The episode closes with a powerful performance of “The Brand New Mississippi Flag,” Ketch’s original song envisioning a banner that reflects the full richness of the state’s story.

Places mentioned in this episode: Marty Stuart's Congress of Country Music, Turnrow Books, Viking Cooking School, Neshoba County Jail, Medgar and Myrlie Evers Home, Arthur "Big Boy" Crudup, Eudora Welty, Rowan Oak, Senatobia, Pontotoc, Kosciusko, Philadelphia, Greenwood, Meridian.

People and groups mentioned in this episode: Jack Clement, George D. Hay, John Hartford, Phil Ochs, Skip James, Marty Stuart, James Cheney, Michael Schwerner, Andrew Goodman, Medgar Evers, Myrlie Evers, Bob Dylan, Arthur Crudup, Big Bill Broonzy, Johnny Cash, Jimmie Rodgers, Eudora Welty, Bo Carter, Otha Turner, Shardé Turner.

In Part 1 of this wide-ranging conversation, Charlie sits down with Ketch Secor, co-founder and current frontman of the band Old Crow Medicine Show, to explore the deep musical roots of Mississippi. Though not a Mississippi native, Ketch shares personal stories that connect him to the state, from learning to walk in McComb to organizing a pickup baseball game in William Faulkner’s backyard. Along the way, he reflects on the “rub” between black and white musical traditions, the legacy of Doc Watson and Mississippi John Hurt, and why Mississippi remains the spiritual crossroads of American music.

Mississippi places mentioned in this episode: Rowan Oak, Pharr Mounds, McComb, Mississippi Delta, Booneville, Pontotoc, Bolton, Tupelo, New Site.

People and groups mentioned in this episode: Ketch Secor, Old Crow Medicine Show, Muddy Waters, B.B. King, Doc Watson, Chuck Berry, Merle Travis, Marty Stuart, Mississippi John Hurt, Charlie Patton, Gus Cannon, Papa Charlie Jackson, Leake County Revelers, Hoyt Ming and the Pep Steppers, Mississippi Sheiks, Elvis Presley, Charlie Pride, DeFord Bailey, Enrico Caruso, William Faulkner, Hernando de Soto.

Mississippi on the Map is a new podcast hosted by 2024 CMA Musician of the Year Charlie Worsham. The podcast explores why Mississippi is the Birthplace of America’s Music. You’ll hear conversations with special guests about the influence of Mississippi on American music and culture, and we’ll explore the state’s stories and storytellers to learn about all those who put Mississippi on the map.