Darryl Worley Hasn't Forgotten His Roots, Part 2

In the second of this two-part episode, I continue my discussion
with country music singer-songwriter, Darryl Worley. 


Darryl explains why he and his wife Kimberly decided to relocate
from the Nashville area back to Hardin County, TN.


Family, as well as the opportunity for his daughter Savannah to
grow up in an area where friends and neighbors support each
other, was an essential factor. Darryl believes that allowing his
wife and daughter to develop their own identity is
important. Plus, being closer to Muscle Shoals, AL, and
Wishbone Studios is another reason moving made sense. 


Manny music insiders agree the Nashville recording scene has
changed much since Darryl signed his first major record deal in
the late 1990s.


Compared to many country music singer-songwriters that come out
of Music City, Darryl's career hit the national scene when he was
35-years-old. Although he looks much younger than his actual age,
the ability to intertwine the wisdom of a weathered performer
into his songs is one reason fans gravitate to his unique
style. 


The 2003 release of "Have You Forgotten" solidified Darryl as a
major country music artist. Yet with the song's phenomenal
success of the hit song, came a downside. During an interview
with NBC's Lester Holt soon after the song hit number one, Darryl
was shocked when the journalist attacked him for writing and
singing about lingering wounds most American's felt when New York
City's twin towers fell.


Although the interview taught valuable lessons in dealing with
aggressive journalists, he knew the words he and fellow veteran
songwriter Walt Aldridge penned about the attack resonated with
millions of patriotic Americans. And as Darryl explains, its the
stories that matter in any hit song.


When listening to a Darryl Worley song, there's no doubt the
music is pure country. Merle Haggard, Gene Watson, Willie Nelson,
and many others were strong influences on Darryl's singing and
songwriting. While his fans may love the traditional country
sound Darryl and other artists still perform, throughout the
years, Nashville record executives altered the sound to appeal to
a younger and more diverse audience.


"I realized early on that I wouldn't reach the Garth or Kenny
level because I wasn't the prototypical star Nashville executives
looked for," Darryl explained. But I knew who I was as an artist,
and that's what's important to me."


While he appreciates the opportunities Nashville has given and
still can provide his career, Darryl realizes that if he's going
to fully tap into his creative potential, being centered and
around the people and things most important to him is a top
priority. 


The future continues to shine for Darryl and his music. His "How
Freedom Feels" project, along with the rerelease of his "Greatest
Hits," and an upcoming album of Christian hymns, is forthcoming.


Who knows; his fans may get a genuine and
unvarnished glimpse into Darryl's life in an upcoming book
he's talking about writing and publishing soon.


Darryl Worley hasn't forgotten his roots, for they have made this
talented singer-songwriter a native hero. And he plans to
continue tapping into the vast amount of talent that lies within
his soul.