Jelly Roll Becomes Newest Member Of Opry Family
Jelly Roll joins the Grand Ole Opry family. Photo: Chris Hollo courtesy of Grand Ole Opry
Jelly Roll officially became a member of the Grand Ole Opry family last night (March 10), inducted by his close friend and fellow Opry member Lainey Wilson during an emotion-packed evening.
Also on hand for the induction celebration were Jelly Roll’s friend and mentor, Opry member Craig Morgan, as well as friends Leanne Morgan and Ernest. In a full circle moment, Sheriff Daron Hall and Davidson County Juvenile Correctional Professional Yolanda Hockett were also in attendance and were thanked from the stage by Jelly for their belief and guidance since he encountered both during his time serving at the juvenile center, as well as members from the Judge Dinkins Educational Center, who Jelly currently works with to support and empower underserved youth. He also thanked his family including his mom, who was sitting in the front row, marking the first time she had seen him perform at the Opry.
Lainey Wilson inducts Jelly Roll Into the Grand Ole Opry family. Photo: Chris Hollo courtesy of Grand Ole Opry
Jelly Roll’s Opry history with Morgan predates back to a moment years ago when freshly released from prison, Jelly was in the Opry audience as Morgan performed “Almost Home,” a moment the star references as “life changing” for him. Years later, Jelly was surprised on stage by Morgan, where they performed “Almost Home” together on the Opry stage. Marking the full-circle moment, Morgan presented handwritten, autographed framed lyrics of “Almost Home” to Jelly to commemorate the occasion.
Wearing a cross that belonged to Johnny Cash that was given to him by Cash’s son John Carter Cash, Jelly Roll kicked off his induction night with high-powered performances of his hits “Liar,” “Need A Favor,” “I Am Not Okay,” “Hard Fought Hallelujah” and “Son Of A Sinner,” joined by his friend Ernest. Following a video of his history with the Opry, Wilson walked to the circle with him to officially welcome him into the family.
“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.
Pictured (L-R): Opry’s Dan Rogers, Opry host Kelly Sutton, Lily Isaacs, Larry Gatlin, Leanne Morgan, Lainey Wilson, Jelly Roll, Craig Morgan, ERNEST, Sonya Isaacs and Opry’s Jenn Tressler. Photo: Chris Hollo courtesy of Grand Ole Opry
“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,” she continued. “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.”
An emotional Jelly Roll received his Opry member award saying, “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.”
The two friends closed the show with a performance of their duet “Save Me.”
