Even headlining the biggest country music festival in the world, in his hometown no less, Jelly Roll is still as humble as they get.
The Tennessee native had the time of his life this weekend during CMA Fest. As someone who grew up right outside of Nashville, though, this show for CMA Fest was more than just another stadium show; it was something that Jelly Roll had always hoped to do.
Right before he took the stage, Jelly Roll took to his Twitter (now X) to share how much this moment meant to him.
“Tonight, I close the show at Nissan Stadium. I have been a Tennessee Titans fan ever since they came to Nashville.
I remember watching them build the same stadium…I remember going to the first game at the stadium with my father. God rest his soul.
11 pm tonight. I fulfilled a lifelong dream.”
If you know anything about Jelly, then you know how remarkable his story is. His music connects people through his powerful message rising from the valley to the mountaintop, and his lyrics resonate strongly with fans facing similar struggles.
And during his headlining set, he got emotional as he told fans what it meant for him to be able to headline the stadium that’s located in the same parking lot as the Davidson County Juvenile Detention Facility where he once was locked up:
@yourfuzzyscarf Musician Jelly Roll headlined CMA Fest at Nissan Stadium last night, the largest venue in his hometown of Nashville after going to the juvenile detention center as a kid in the SAME PARKING LOT. He wore a custom jacket of the two places on stage. #jellyroll #jellyrollconcert #cmafest #nissanstadium #nashville #jellyrollofficial #jellyrollandbunnie #inspiration #jellyrollcmafest #emotional #jellyrolllive #jellyrollmusic ♬ original sound – Yourfuzzyscarf
Jelly Roll does it again with his new single “I Am Not Okay,” which will drop later this week. He performed the unreleased track during his set, and fans could not get enough of it.
@_hannahhlanee_ Jelly Roll debuts his new song at CMA fest. What do you think? #jellyroll #fypage ♬ original sound – Hannah Lane Radio
Given the hype surrounding this song, I can only imagine it will bring Jelly more success, further proving he is a permanent fixture in country music. This ability to connect with his fans is unlike any other, and the lyrics of this song send a message of hope and hit home the mantra of “it’s okay to not be okay.”
I can’t wait to hear the full version of this single.
