This country music performer with more than 20 platinum hits and three chart busters has considered other occupations: He also wanted to be a veterinarian (He now raises cattle and horses). He considered becoming a medical “people” doctor (“People can tell you what’s wrong with them”). Most of all, he wanted to be a military pilot. Darryl Worley — all 6 feet, 6 inches — joins Grand Ole Opry member Mark Wills on Nov. 21 at the Brown County Music Center in Nashville.

“Have You Forgotten?” (2003), written by Worley and Wynn Varble, lasted for seven weeks as No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot Country charts.

“That song afforded me a lot of different opportunities,” Worley said recently, talking over the phone. Some of the most rewarding effects have been his invitations to perform for military groups. “It’s been a good one for us.”

Worley grew up in a military family. “We all had the desire to serve.” For a man who “would have given anything if I could have flown for the military” (he was too tall), the success of “Have You Forgotten?” proved doubly significant. It’s about the events of Sept. 11, 2001, and some of its lyrics are:

“Have you forgotten when those towers fell?

We had neighbors still inside goin’ through a livin’ hell

And you say we shouldn’t worry ’bout bin Laden

Have you forgotten?

They took all the footage off my T.V.

Said it’s too disturbing for you and me

It’ll just breed anger, that’s what the experts say

If it was up to me, I’d show it every day”

Bachelor of science degree leads to Worley topping the song charts

Other Worley hits include “I Miss My Friend” (2002), written by Tom Shapiro, Mark Nesler and Tony Martin, recorded by Worley; and “Awful Beautiful Life” (2004) written by Worley and Harley Allen.

Worley recorded “Awful, Beautiful Life” to be the lead single in his third studio album, “Darryl Worley.” It topped the U.S. Hot Country Songs chart and stayed there for two weeks. It was No. 8  on the Radio & Records Canada County chart.

“I Miss My Friend” soared to Worley’s first No. 1 single on the Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart. But it also made the crossover to pop radio, where it reached No. 28 on the Billboard’s Hot 100, impressive for a man who had earned a bachelor of science degree in biology and chemistry.

One way that Worley gives back to society is his work with the Darryl Worley Foundation, annual charity events and supporting the U.S. military, as well as veterans. The Darryl Worley Foundation helps nonprofit groups in middle and West Tennessee counties.

Mark Wills produces chart-topping country songs

Around 1990, Grand Ole Opry member Mark Wills left his gig singing at Atlanta’s Buckboard (a beloved honkytonk country bar) to come up with his first of 19 Billboard-chart-placing singles across seven albums including “Wish You Were Here,” “Jacob’s Ladder,” “I Do (Cherish You),” “Places I’ve Never Been,” “Don’t Laugh at Me” and No. 1 single “Wish You Were Here.”

He has recorded gold and platinum albums and released popular Country Music successes. A particularly notable achievement is (Recording Industry Association of America Gold-certified) “19 Somethin'” (2002). RIAA was organized to appreciate artists and track sound recording sales, “Gold & Platinum Awards” have grown to recognize the success of any artist.

“19 Somethin’ ” was written by David Lee and Chris DuBois, recorded by Wills and was Wills’ first single from his “Greatest Hits” album, lingering for six weeks at No. 1 on 2003’s Hot Country Songs chart. It became the No. 2 country song of the decade on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs Chart.

Wills has ventured more than a dozen times to entertain U.S. troops in Iraq, Kuwait, Afghanistan, Korea and Italy, according to a news release from the singer.

Brown County Music Center offers close encounters, but be aware

Less than a mile from the largest state park in Indiana and the town of Nashville, Brown County Music Center opened in the summer of  2019 and seats 2,000 people. The seat farthest from the stage is 106 feet away.

A note of caution for enthusiastic audience members comes from Worley: “(Last month), an over-served fan wanted to come up onstage with us during the set.”

No problem. Worley, who is accustomed to nearly anything going amiss, quickly diverted her by dancing with her off stage.