This Country Singer Is Taking a Step Back to Focus on His Family

Published: May 28, 2026

By Kayla DeKraker

Country singer Jake Worthington is stepping away from the spotlight for a time to work on himself and be with his family.

“I live a life as my heroes did, but that life gotten ahold of me,” he wrote on Instagram earlier this week announcing his decision.

“I love my family, my friends and my fans too much to let it take over me. I need to take some time to work on myself for my wife and daughter,” he emphasized, concluding, “I promise I will come back even better. God bless country music. JW.”

Worthington and his wife, Sophie, share daughter young daughter Whitley Anne.

People in the comment section showed support for the singer.

“Christ is sufficient brother. Give it all to Him. I’m proud of you for taking this step,” photographer and content creator Seth Stern wrote.

Fellow country singer Tracy Byrd encouraged his decision, saying, “Woke up to this and best news I’ve heard in a while, love you bud and I know you won’t regret your decision, do it right and do it for you as much as them, and do it knowing you’re not alone, the Lord is with you as well as me and all these other folks that love you ❤️🙏”

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Worthington was scheduled to perform alongside Luke Combs on May 29 and 30 and June 5 and 6 in Canada. Saving Country Music reported that those dates have “disappeared from his website, with his next scheduled appearance being on July 24th at the The Great Texas Mosquito Festival in Clute, TX.”

Last week, Worthington announced his “Intent to Tonk Tour.” Tickets are still available on his website, and the tour is supposed to begin July 25.

Now 30-year-old Worthington rose to fame during THE VOICE Season 6 in 2014. In 2021, he signed with Big Loud Records. The company said of partnering with Worthington, “We’re excited to welcome Jake Worthington to the Big Loud Records family. He’s been putting in the work to build his own authentic brand of Country music, and we’re looking forward to teaming up to get his sound on the map.”

Worthington has since released two albums including his debut self-titled album in 2023 and an album titled When I Write This Song. The project featured collaborations with artists such as Miranda Lambert, Marty Stuart and Mae Estes.

Worthington’s decision is a reminder that it’s okay to step back and prioritize family and mental health first. At the end of the day, nothing else matters.

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