It’s official, Jelly Roll is the newest member of the Grand Ole Opry! Inducted by fellow Opry member and friend Lainey Wilson, it was an exciting and emotional evening for the country superstar.
Several supporters were in the audience to witness this milestone, including Sheriff Daron Hall and Davidson County Juvenile Correctional Professional Yolanda Hockett, both of whom were recognized on stage by Jelly Roll. The artist’s mom was also there to support her son, marking her first time seeing him perform at the Opry.
The Multi-Grammy® Award winning artist performed his hit songs “Liar,” “Need A Favor,” “I Am Not Okay,” “Hard Fought Hallelujah,” and “Son Of A Sinner” with ERNEST. After a video highlighted Jelly Roll’s journey with the Opry, Lainey Wilson officially inducted him into the Grand Ole Opry.
“There are some people in this business who are great singers, some people who are great songwriters and storytellers, and every once in a while somebody comes along who is something even bigger than that,” said Wilson. “They are a voice for people who feel like they don’t have one. And that’s exactly who Jelly Roll is. Your love for Jesus Christ radiates from you, and I’m so proud of you. Country music has always been about telling stories, the good, the bad, the messy; it’s about redemption, and tonight we are welcoming a man who has never been afraid to tell the truth about his life. He turned pain into purpose, mistakes into music, and somehow managed to make millions of people feel like they are a little less alone. I’m so proud to call you my friend. Jelly Roll, because of your heart, your story, and the way you have used your voice to lift everybody else up, it is my honor to welcome you into the Grand Ole Opry family.”
Emotions were evident as Jelly Roll reflected on the momentous occasion. “To take a convicted felon from Music City who found country music because I’m from Nashville, and you take that kid who’s been in the local juvenile and local county jail, and you bring him here and give him Grammys, awards, and platinum plaques, and then you make him a member of the most prestigious group of the Grand Ole Opry. Every word of that sounded like I’m telling you a lot about myself, but that is a story only God could be the author of. Some stories only God can write. This is truly a God story. I talk a lot more about him now because I’m getting a lot closer to him and I recognize that. I don’t deserve this, I don’t deserve the grace God gave me, but I think that’s the best part, right? And yet he gives it all the time.”
Jelly Roll and Lainey Wilson closed out the evening together with a performance of their duet, “Save Me.”