When Charlie Worsham steps onto the “Mississippi: Where Creativity Blooms” float in the 137th Rose Parade on New Year’s Day, the Grenada native won’t just be singing a song — he’ll be carrying his home state with him down Colorado Boulevard.
The country artist and proud Mississippian will perform a Muppets tune in front of a 30-foot Kermit the Frog during the mid-parade performance presented by Visit Mississippi. The float, recently announced by the Tournament of Roses and Visit Mississippi, honors the state’s artistic icons, literary legends and homegrown talent. It highlights Mississippi’s creative spirit — from blues and country to literature, ballet and visual arts — giving millions of parade viewers a vivid glimpse of “the birthplace of America’s music.”
For Worsham, a 2003 Grenada High School graduate, the moment is a full-circle milestone that stretches back to his teenage years. In 2001, he marched with the Grenada High School Marching Band in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City. He refers to the Rose Parade appearance as a “meaningful bookend” to that experience.
“I’m always proud to represent Mississippi,” Worsham said in a recent interview. “Being in the Rose Parade connects the dots from that first parade in New York to where my music has taken me now.”
At the center of the float, Kermit the Frog pays tribute to Mississippi native Jim Henson, while artwork inspired by painter Walter Anderson wraps the stage in vivid color. Elsewhere, stacks of books symbolize the state’s literary legacy, featuring covers from works by Jesmyn Ward, Tennessee Williams, Willie Morris, William Faulkner, Eudora Welty and Greg Iles. Directional signs point toward Mississippi landmarks linked to creative achievement, from its blues trail to its writers’ museums.
“It’s hard not to make people smile singing a Muppets song in front of a 30-foot-tall Kermit,” Worsham said. “The float team did an amazing job of putting Mississippi’s creative legacy on display, and my hope is that our performance inspires people to take a second look at the state — and maybe book that road trip to see it for themselves.”
Worsham also hopes the appearance will steer new listeners to “Mississippi On The Map,” the Visit Mississippi podcast he hosts where he’s interviewed figures including, Morgan Freeman, Chris Stapleton, Wright Thompson and HARDY. Worsham said those conversations deepened his appreciation for the “twists and turns” shaping the lives of Mississippians who have influenced the world.
“The timing of the Rose Parade reminds me of the serendipitous moments in the stories of the Mississippians I’ve studied this year,” he said as he also mentioned his preparations to release new music throughout 2026, marking a busy start to the new year.
Worsham’s resume already reads like a tribute to persistence and versatility. He’s shared stages with Taylor Swift, Miranda Lambert and Eric Church; co-written songs for Dierks Bentley and Kenny Chesney, and performed more than 100 times at the Grand Ole Opry. His 2013 single “Could It Be” sparked viral attention and made him one of Nashville’s standout singer-songwriters of the past decade.
“The longer I do this, the more gratitude I have for every opportunity that comes my way,” Worsham said. “My hope is that being part of something as iconic as the Rose Parade keeps opening doors — not just for me, but for the next generation of Mississippi artists.”
The Rose Parade also ties back to his family’s roots in tourism. His father, Gary, serves as the executive director of the Grenada Tourism Commission in his hometown.
“He and I have always shared a bond through music, and to share a bond promoting Mississippi feels second nature,” the younger Worsham said. “I’m really proud of the work my dad has done for the Grenada community.”
When he’s not on stage, Worsham said he plans to savor a few days in Southern California, visiting some favorite “haunts” around Los Angeles and Pasadena.
“Travel is my favorite side effect of a life in music,” he said. “But the highlight will be turning that corner and seeing the crowds.”
The 137th Rose Parade, presented by Honda and themed “The Magic in Teamwork,” begins at 8 a.m. Pacific Standard Time on Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026, in Pasadena. The Tournament of Roses will also host the College Football Playoff quarterfinal later that day between the No. 1 Indiana Hoosiers and the No. 9 Alabama Crimson Tide at the Rose Bowl Game presented by Prudential Financial.
For Worsham, the spectacle ultimately comes down to the pride he carries from Grenada to the spotlight. Reflecting on the late Gov. William Winter, another Grenadian who spent his life serving Mississippi, Worsham said he hopes to apply those same lessons of perspective and purpose.
“That’s what I seek to gain from my experience in Pasadena,” he concluded. “To carry what I’ve learned from Mississippi out into the world — and to bring something back home in return.”
EDITOR'S NOTE: If you missed today's live coverage of the parade, click the link below to watch Charlie Worsham's performance, which begins near the 32-minute mark:
https://www.youtube.com/live/ln3fqPtyWpM?si=NThp1Kg2McSv1_EI
