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

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.