Jelly Roll & Lainey Wilson Toast At Tin Roof To Multiple No. 1s

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Pictured (L-R, back row): BBR/BMG’s Jon Loba, Warner Chappell’s BJ Hill, BMG’s Chris Oglesby, BMI’s Shannon Sanders, Studio Bank’s Kari Barnhart, Stoney Creek’s Adrian Michaels and BBR/BMG’s JoJamie Hahr; (L-R, front row): Lainey Wilson, Jelly Roll and David Ray Stevens. Photo: Steve Lowry for BMI

Music industry members gathered at Tin Roof on Demonbreun last week to celebrate three chart-toppers from two country music stars.

Jelly Roll and co-writers Austin Nivarel and Joe and Rob Ragosta were there to commemorate Jelly’s “Need A Favor” topping the charts. Lainey Wilson and co-writers Josh Kear and Jordan Schmidt were celebrated for her fifth consecutive No. 1 “Watermelon Moonshine.” Finally, both stars toasted to their collaborative hit “Save Me” with Jelly’s co-writer David Ray Stevens.

BMI’s Clay Bradley welcomed everyone to the midtown hotspot to get the party started before turning it over to Shannon Sanders, a longtime friend of Jelly’s, to emcee the special celebration. ASCAP’s Evyn Mustoe Johnston was on hand to honor the PRO’s affiliates.

Pictured (L-R, back row): BMI’s Shannon Sanders, BMG’s Chris Oglesby, Sony Music Publishing’s Rusty Gaston, Reservoir’s John Ozier, Studio Bank’s Kari Barnhart, ASCAP’s Evyn Johnston and Stoney Creek’s Adrian Michaels; (L-R, front row): Rob Ragosta, Joe Ragosta, Jelly Roll and Austin Nivarel. Photo: Steve Lowry for BMI

Taking turns to give each song its moment, the celebrations started with “Need A Favor.” Publishers, including BMG’s Chris Oglesby, Reservoir’s John Ozier and Sony Music Publishing’s Rusty Gaston, took turns speaking about each of their writers.

All of the co-writers except Jelly were celebrating their first No. 1. Two of the writers, Joe and Rob, are brothers, making it even more special. All were full of gratitude, calling out their publishers, supporters, Jelly and their families.

“I got to do this with my brother,” Rob said. “We’ve been doing this for 20 years at a serious level, chasing this dream. We always did it with our best friends and we always did it with our family.”

Joe shared, “Jelly, you’re an icon. It’s so far beyond artistry at this point. You’re part of the culture.”

“Before I worked with Jelly Roll, I worked with a lot of his collaborators. I began to hear the phrase, ‘Jelly Roll changed my life,’ so often that I started to think, ‘He’s got to be paying these people. How much money does this guy have?'” Austin said. “Then I got the opportunity to meet him and work with him… A year and a half later, I can certainly say that Jelly Roll changed my life.”

Pictured (L-R): BMI’s Clay Bradley, Studio Bank’s Kari Barnhart, Lainey Wilson, Josh Kear, ASCAP’s Evyn Johnston and BBR’s Shelley Hargis. Photo: Steve Lowry for BMI

Next up, it was time to celebrate “Save Me,” the anthem Jelly wrote with David Ray. Lainey joined Jelly on a collaborative version of the song that topped the charts at the end of 2023.

Industry members including BMG’s Chris Oglesby, Warner Chappell’s BJ Hill and BBR Music Group’s Adrian Michaels were on hand to speak about the record-breaking song.

“I’m the luckiest man in the world. If I’m in a dream, please don’t wake me up,” David Ray said when it was his turn to speak. He thanked all his supporters and team members before inviting two jewelers from Ice Box to present Jelly with a piece of jewelry to commemorate the occasion, a gesture Jelly did for him to mark their “Son Of A Sinner” chart-topper.

Then the crowd got to hear from Jelly. He thanked all of his team members, making sure to mention what each of them bring to the table, as well as country radio.

“I’ve had four No. 1s in my career. Three of those four songs were written with people who had never had a No. 1 before. I take great pride in that,” Jelly said.

Pictured (L-R): MusicRow‘s Madison Hahnen, Lainey Wilson, Jelly Roll, David Ray Stevens and MusicRow‘s LB Cantrell. Photo: Steve Lowry for BMI

Next it was time to celebrate Lainey Wilson’s “Watermelon Moonshine.” Lainey and co-writer Josh Kear appeared onstage to celebrate. Their co-writer Jordan Schmidt wasn’t able to make it.

Sony Music Publishing’s Rusty Gaston and BBR Music Group’s Shelley Hargis spoke about Lainey and her co-writers. Studio Bank’s Kari Barnhart made a presentation letting the crowd know that the bank had made a charitable donation in honor of the songs.

The mic was then turned over to Josh and Lainey.

“I started writing on Music Row when I was 19, which means I’ve been coming to these things for over 30 years. If I’ve learned anything, it’s that short speeches are the best speeches,” he said, adding in his thanks to his village. “Thank you to everyone who had anything to do with this song.”

Lainey was the last to speak. “I could not be more appreciative to anybody who has put their hands on my songs or any songs that I’ve been able to be a part of. Thank you so much from the bottom of my heart for making my dreams come true.”

LB Cantrell
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