Jelly Roll performs at Bridgestone Arena. Photo: Andy Pollitt
Jelly Roll brought his “Beautifully Broken Tour” to a close last week with a grand finale: a sold-out night in his hometown’s Bridgestone Arena. The Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter ended the tour with a “family reunion,” inviting a myriad of guests for the special night.
The evening opened with a set from Alexandra Kay, who has regularly toured with Jelly Roll and steadily built her fanbase as an independent artist. Later in the night, Jelly Roll mentioned that Kay had recently signed a record deal, though no official announcement has been made yet.
Jelly Roll and Alexandra Kay perform at Bridgestone Arena. Photo: Andy Pollitt
Ernest, another Nashville boy, hit the stage next. He played a mix of his signature tunes and those he’s penned for other artists, illustrating the magic of Music City. In one of the night’s first surprises, he invited his frequent collaborator and friend, Morgan Wallen, to the stage. Wallen, who was recently named the CMA’s Entertainer of the Year for the first time, performed alongside Ernest on their hits together “Flower Shows” and “Cowgirls” before Ernest closed his set with a cover of Hank Williams Jr.‘s “Family Tradition.”
When it came time for Jelly, a booming voice spoke over the speakers, welcoming the crowd of “outcasts” to come together. Jelly made his entrance by walking through the crowd, flanked by family and friends, reminiscent of a boxer heading into the ring. He high-fived his way through the crowd to a small stage at the back of the room, kicking off the show with “I Am Not Okay.” A skeletal frame of a house, engulfed in flickering flames, descended around him as the atmosphere ignited. The audience was already in the palm of his hand.
“There’s no place like home, baby!” Jelly said, taking in the room.
Jelly made his way to the main stage as the band took off. He joined just in time for the first verse of “Halfway to Hell,” one of the six No. 1 hit songs he’s collected in just three years.
He rolled through fan-favorites in his catalog, “Get By,” “Burning” and his first-ever chart-topper “Son Of A Sinner” before taking a chance to share how country music came into his life via his mother. Jelly played a medley of “Friends in Low Places” and “Lonely Road / Take Me Home, Country Roads,” inviting Ernest back out to join in the fun. A highlight came when Jelly performed Brooks & Dunn‘s “Believe,” which was one of the night’s best moments during the CMA Awards the week before.
Jelly Roll performs at Bridgestone Arena. Photo: Andy Pollitt
Later in the show, he turned his attention to his rap influence, taking time to play some jams from his early career and invite out longtime collaborators Struggle Jennings and Yelawolf. When Jelly Roll leaned into the rap side of his music, embracing its raw edges and grittier persona, his artistry and confidence glimmered.
He also shined when he was connecting with the audience, which was a lot of the time. He recognized familiar faces, responded to shouts of admiration, and engaged with fan-made signs. During a standout performance of “Winning Streak,” he highlighted messages of sobriety from fans, holding up signs like “Six Years Clean” and “You helped save our dad! He is seven years sober,” creating powerful, emotional moments that resonated deeply with the crowd.
In one of the night’s biggest surprises, he invited out the iconic Snoop Dogg to celebrate Jelly’s homecoming night. Snoop rolled through his hits “Next Episode,” “Drop it Like it’s Hot” and “Gin and Juice” with a freshly-rolled joint in hand. He and Jelly then performed a new song they have coming out, “Bottle and Mary Jane.”
In addition to Snoop, Jelly invited out special guest Skylar Grey to perform their touching “Past Yesterday,” and Keith Urban to play on “Don’t Want To” and “Liar.”
After thrilling the crowd with “Need a Favor” and “Heart of Stone,” Jelly made his way back to the small stage. He closed the special show with “Save Me” as rain from the house frame poured around him. Fans swayed and sang to the top of their lungs as he looked around the massive room.
“Let’s do it at Nissan Stadium next time,” the Nashville native called out with a grin, leaving fans with a warm sense of togetherness, fully entertained and perhaps even feeling a bit of a contact high.
Koe Wetzel To Take Fans Back To ‘Wetzel’s Wonderland’
/by Madison HahnenKoe Wetzel will release his newest holiday project, Wetzel’s Wonderland Chapter 2, this Friday (Dec. 6) via Columbia Records.
Serving as a follow-up to last year’s Wetzel’s Wonderland, the second collection includes Wetzel’s takes on holiday classics, such as “Run Run Rudolph,” “Merry Christmas Baby” and “Silver Bells,” along with a spoken-word “‘Twas The Night Before Christmas” introduction. These renditions join the covers of “Please Come Home For Christmas,” “Blue Christmas” and “I’ll Be Home For Christmas” featured in the first chapter.
“I fucking love Christmas,” he shares. “It is always a big deal in the Wetzel household, and we wanted to put our own spin on some more holiday classics for you. Ho Ho Ho from Uncle Koe!”
Wetzel will also celebrate the season with “Wetzel’s Wonderland Live” performances on Dec. 27 at the Moody Center in Austin and Dec. 28 at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth. Tickets are available now.
Wetzel’s Wonderland Chapter 2 Track Listing:
1.”‘Twas The Night Before Christmas” (performed by Ben Burgess)
2. “Run Run Rudolph”
3. “Merry Christmas Baby”
4. “Silver Bells”
5. “Please Come Home For Christmas”
6. “Blue Christmas”
7. “I’ll Be Home For Christmas”
Brenda Lee’s ‘Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree’ Declared Official Holiday Song Of Tennessee
/by Lorie HollabaughRepresentative Jason Powell, Brenda Lee and Governor Bill Lee. Photo: Chris Hollo
Brenda Lee‘s beloved holiday classic “Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree” was honored at a ceremony at the Tennessee State Capitol yesterday (Dec. 2) naming it the “Official Holiday Song of Tennessee.”
Lee was given a signed proclamation by Governor Bill Lee and Representative Jason Powell (D-Nashville) at the special event. Representative Powell filed the bill making the song the official holiday song of the state last December, and the bill passed the state legislature earlier this year and was signed into law by Governor Bill Lee back in April.
“Brenda Lee is a music icon and a true Tennessee treasure. ‘Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree’ has spread holiday joy throughout the world for decades and we are proud her number one song was made in Nashville,” says Representative Jason Powell. “I am thrilled that my legislation made the beloved ‘Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree’ by Brenda Lee the first official holiday song of Tennessee.”
“Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree” has been certified five-times Platinum by the RIAA and reached one billion streams on Spotify. In November 2023, “Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree” topped the Billboard Hot 100 chart for the first time ever, 65 years after the song’s debut, and was at the top spot for three weeks. Lee claims just the third holiday No. 1 ever on the Hot 100, and “Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree” is also Lee’s third No. 1. Lee and her holiday hit now hold the record for the longest climb to the top of the Hot 100, as the Johnny Marks-written tune was released 65 years ago, when Lee was just 13 years old.
Lainey Wilson Helps Kick Off Salvation Army’s Annual Red Kettle Campaign
/by Lorie HollabaughLainey Wilson helps kick off Salvation Army’s annual Red Kettle Campaign
Lainey Wilson helped launch the Salvation Army’s Annual Red Kettle Campaign with the help of the Dallas Cowboys during the Cowboys Thanksgiving Day game.
The Red Kettle Kickoff marked the start of a season dedicated to helping those in need through various Salvation Army programs. Wilson performed hits from her new album Whirlwind to highlight the need for giving this holiday season and the impact of The Salvation Army’s work in communities across the country.
“It’s an honor to be part of the Red Kettle Kickoff tradition with The Salvation Army and the Dallas Cowboys. The holiday season is about giving back and coming together, so we can make a real difference in people’s lives this Christmas,” says Wilson. “Bring your bell-bottoms and some bells for ringing because we’re about to get this show on the road!”
Since teaming up in 1997, The Salvation Army and the Cowboys have helped raise more than $3 billion for the annual campaign. For nearly three decades, the Dallas Cowboys and The Salvation Army have joined forces on Thanksgiving Day to amplify the mission of the Red Kettle Campaign, which funds vital services for individuals and families facing hardship. Last year alone, funds raised through the campaign supported over 27 million people with resources such as food, shelter, holiday gifts, and emergency financial assistance throughout the year.
“The Red Kettle Campaign is a wonderful reminder that small acts of generosity can make a big difference,” says Charlotte Jones, Chief Brand Officer and Co-Owner of the Dallas Cowboys and former national advisory board chairperson for The Salvation Army. “Every dollar donated helps The Salvation Army bring hope and support to those in need, and we couldn’t be more appreciative to Lainey Wilson for helping us kick off this important effort. She perfectly captures the heart of this campaign, inspiring fans to make a difference for those who need it most.”
Lauren Daigle, Jon Batiste To Perform Pregame At Super Bowl LIX
/by Lorie HollabaughLauren Daigle, Jon Batiste, Trombone Shorty and Ledisi will perform pregame for Super Bowl LIX at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans on Feb. 9.
The pregame show will honor the legendary music scene of New Orleans and features artists who call Louisiana home. Batiste will perform the national anthem, Trombone Shorty and Daigle will perform “America the Beautiful” and Ledisi will perform “Lift Every Voice and Sing.”
“We’re honored to work with this year’s pregame lineup to celebrate the rich musical legacy of New Orleans and the entire state,” says Seth Dudowsky, head of music at the NFL. “The Super Bowl is a rare moment to unite fans around the world, and this year’s performers will bring the energy, soul and vibrant sounds of the region to a global stage, as we kickoff Super Bowl LIX with a celebration to remember.”
The Super Bowl pregame entertainment and Apple Music Super Bowl Halftime Show will also feature American Sign Language (ASL) performances. Stephanie Nogueras will perform the “Star-Spangled Banner” and “America the Beautiful,” Otis Jones IV will sign “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” and Matt Maxey will deliver the ASL rendition of the Apple Music Super Bowl Halftime Show, which will be headlined by Kendrick Lamar.
Lalo Guzman Enters Top 10 On MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart
/by Madison HahnenLalo Guzman.
Lalo Guzman has reached the top 10 on the MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart. “Cowboy Songs” and “Texas” help the songwriter make a monumental jump to No. 1o this week.
Zach Bryan remains in the No. 1 spot for the fourth consecutive week with “28,” “High Road,” “Pink Skies” and “This World’s A Giant.” Ashley Gorley moves up to No. 2 with “Fix What You Didn’t Break,” “I Am Not Okay,” “I Had Some Help,” “Liar,” “Losers,” “Love Somebody,” “Park” and “This Town’s Been Too Good To Us.”
Chris Stapleton (No. 3), Jessie Jo Dillon (No. 4) and Taylor Phillips (No. 5) round out this week’s top five.
The weekly MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart uses algorithms based upon song activity according to airplay, digital download track sales and streams. This unique and exclusive addition to the MusicRow portfolio is the only songwriter chart of its kind.
Click here to view the full MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart.
Jelly Roll Ends ‘Beautifully Broken Tour’ With Sold-Out Bridgestone Arena Show
/by LB CantrellJelly Roll performs at Bridgestone Arena. Photo: Andy Pollitt
Jelly Roll brought his “Beautifully Broken Tour” to a close last week with a grand finale: a sold-out night in his hometown’s Bridgestone Arena. The Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter ended the tour with a “family reunion,” inviting a myriad of guests for the special night.
The evening opened with a set from Alexandra Kay, who has regularly toured with Jelly Roll and steadily built her fanbase as an independent artist. Later in the night, Jelly Roll mentioned that Kay had recently signed a record deal, though no official announcement has been made yet.
Jelly Roll and Alexandra Kay perform at Bridgestone Arena. Photo: Andy Pollitt
Ernest, another Nashville boy, hit the stage next. He played a mix of his signature tunes and those he’s penned for other artists, illustrating the magic of Music City. In one of the night’s first surprises, he invited his frequent collaborator and friend, Morgan Wallen, to the stage. Wallen, who was recently named the CMA’s Entertainer of the Year for the first time, performed alongside Ernest on their hits together “Flower Shows” and “Cowgirls” before Ernest closed his set with a cover of Hank Williams Jr.‘s “Family Tradition.”
When it came time for Jelly, a booming voice spoke over the speakers, welcoming the crowd of “outcasts” to come together. Jelly made his entrance by walking through the crowd, flanked by family and friends, reminiscent of a boxer heading into the ring. He high-fived his way through the crowd to a small stage at the back of the room, kicking off the show with “I Am Not Okay.” A skeletal frame of a house, engulfed in flickering flames, descended around him as the atmosphere ignited. The audience was already in the palm of his hand.
“There’s no place like home, baby!” Jelly said, taking in the room.
Jelly made his way to the main stage as the band took off. He joined just in time for the first verse of “Halfway to Hell,” one of the six No. 1 hit songs he’s collected in just three years.
He rolled through fan-favorites in his catalog, “Get By,” “Burning” and his first-ever chart-topper “Son Of A Sinner” before taking a chance to share how country music came into his life via his mother. Jelly played a medley of “Friends in Low Places” and “Lonely Road / Take Me Home, Country Roads,” inviting Ernest back out to join in the fun. A highlight came when Jelly performed Brooks & Dunn‘s “Believe,” which was one of the night’s best moments during the CMA Awards the week before.
Jelly Roll performs at Bridgestone Arena. Photo: Andy Pollitt
Later in the show, he turned his attention to his rap influence, taking time to play some jams from his early career and invite out longtime collaborators Struggle Jennings and Yelawolf. When Jelly Roll leaned into the rap side of his music, embracing its raw edges and grittier persona, his artistry and confidence glimmered.
He also shined when he was connecting with the audience, which was a lot of the time. He recognized familiar faces, responded to shouts of admiration, and engaged with fan-made signs. During a standout performance of “Winning Streak,” he highlighted messages of sobriety from fans, holding up signs like “Six Years Clean” and “You helped save our dad! He is seven years sober,” creating powerful, emotional moments that resonated deeply with the crowd.
In one of the night’s biggest surprises, he invited out the iconic Snoop Dogg to celebrate Jelly’s homecoming night. Snoop rolled through his hits “Next Episode,” “Drop it Like it’s Hot” and “Gin and Juice” with a freshly-rolled joint in hand. He and Jelly then performed a new song they have coming out, “Bottle and Mary Jane.”
In addition to Snoop, Jelly invited out special guest Skylar Grey to perform their touching “Past Yesterday,” and Keith Urban to play on “Don’t Want To” and “Liar.”
After thrilling the crowd with “Need a Favor” and “Heart of Stone,” Jelly made his way back to the small stage. He closed the special show with “Save Me” as rain from the house frame poured around him. Fans swayed and sang to the top of their lungs as he looked around the massive room.
“Let’s do it at Nissan Stadium next time,” the Nashville native called out with a grin, leaving fans with a warm sense of togetherness, fully entertained and perhaps even feeling a bit of a contact high.
Cody Jinks Announces New Lefty Frizzell LP, 2025 Tour
/by Lorie HollabaughCody Jinks. Photo: Tyler Stubblefield
Cody Jinks is gearing up for the release of his latest project, Cody Jinks Sings Lefty Frizzell, a tribute album to the late honky-tonk legend out this Friday (Dec. 6).
The covers album includes plenty of fan-favorite tracks including, “If You’ve Got The Money I’ve Got The Time,” “That’s the Way Love Goes,” “I Never Go Around Mirrors” and more. Giving the songs new life, Jinks makes them his own with the same sincerity and emotional depth that captured fans throughout Frizzell’s career.
Along with the new project, Jinks is also announcing his 2025 “Hippies and Cowboys Tour,” which will kick off March 14 in New Orleans and visit Philadelphia, Baltimore, Virginia Beach, Boston, Indianapolis and more through Sept. 20. Tanner Usrey and Shane Smith & The Saints will join him on select dates. Tickets will be available starting with a fan club pre-sale beginning on Dec. 3 ahead of the general on-sale beginning on Friday (Dec. 6) at codyjinks.com.
“It’s a really divided time in our nation,” Jinks says. “But we’ve always been the type of band where we’ve wanted everybody. And so next year, it’s going to be a statement of, ‘Man, we’re just an American band.’ That’s what we are. We’re a honky-tonk band. We’re American music. You have country rock, rhythm and blues, all in one. We’re hippies, we’re cowboys—and we’re everything in between.”
Cody Jinks Sings Lefty Frizzell Track List:
1. “If You’ve Got the Money I’ve Got the Time”
2. “My Rough and Rowdy Ways”
3. “Saginaw, Michigan”
4. “That’s the Way Love Goes”
5. “Always Late (With Your Kisses)”
6. “She’s Gone, Gone, Gone”
7. “Long Black Veil”
8. “I Never Go Around Mirrors”
9. “Sick, Sober and Sorry”
Parmalee Notches 5th No. 1 & Announces New Tour
/by John Nix ArledgePictured: Parmalee; Photo: Alyssa Gafkjen
Parmalee have achieved their fifth No. 1 single with hit track “Gonna Love You.” This milestone marks the band’s fourth consecutive chart-topper.
“Having ‘Gonna Love You’ go No. 1 is special in so many ways,” the band shares. “We took a shot with a song completely different from the previous three (we released), and it really connected. Also, this was the song we needed to help tell our story and ultimately film the music video. As difficult as it was on the video set, it was a way to move on, and now we can all celebrate this song and how far we’ve come.”
The band showcased their hit earlier this year with performances on Good Morning America and The Kelly Clarkson Show. They also recently announced their upcoming “Fell In Love With A Cowgirl Tour” featuring special guest Avery Anna which kicks off in Madison, WI on Feb. 13.
“With new music coming early next year, there is energy and excitement around us and our whole team,” says lead singer Matt Thomas. “We wanted to bring that energy to our fans as soon as we could, so we decided to do a headline tour starting in February 2025. We’ll bring the party back to some of the cities we played on the Kane Brown tour as well as some cities we’ve never been to. Can’t wait to kick off 2025 with the Parmlee Famalee.”
Tickets for the “Fell In Love With A Cowgirl Tour” are on sale now.
CeCe Signs With WME
/by Madison HahnenCeCe. Photo: Chase Stockman
Singer-songwriter CeCe has signed with WME for exclusive representation.
“I couldn’t be more excited to be working with such a legendary agency like WME, and I can’t wait to see what we accomplish together,” says CeCe. “This is just the beginning.”
A southern Illinois native, CeCe’s roots were shaped by her parents. Her love for music began at an early age, performing in church, at local fairs and in gritty dive bars. While rooted in small-town America, CeCe has always defied convention. Her sound blends country with pop, rock, hip-hop, and Americana, creating a unique, experimental style.
She rose to fame with a 6th-place finish on The X Factor USA, where she gained more social media followers than the season’s winner. After the show, she continued to evolve her artistry, expanding beyond singing and songwriting to become a multi-dimensional creator.
“CeCe brings new light and a fresh sound to the genre,” shares WME’s Morgan Kenney. “With her distinctive style, powerful songs, and magnetic stage presence, she is uniquely her. We’re honored to welcome her to the WME team and excited to be part of her journey ahead.”
Off the heels of her latest single, “All Boots” released via EMPIRE, CeCe has amassed over 11 million global streams. Outside of music, she also directs music videos and makes her own clothing.
Truth Or Dare Music Rebrands, Adds Two
/by LB CantrellSteve Bogard, Samantha Fisher
Truth or Dare Records, Management and Publishing, along with Amped Entertainment, have rebranded and unified under the name Truth or Dare Music. The multi-functional company is led by A&R veteran Missi Gallimore and Grammy-winning producer Byron Gallimore.
Late last year, Truth or Dare Music hired veteran songwriter and advocate Steve Bogard as Chief Operating Officer. With multiple No. 1 hits across four decades and 23 PRO awards under his belt, Bogard is the longest-serving President in the history of Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI), serving 13 terms before stepping down at the end of 2023. During his tenure, he was a driving force behind the passage of the Music Modernization Act.
“My goal was to organized publishing administration, business management and an already great staff into a well-oiled machine that moves the needle for our artists and writers,” Bogard shares of joining Truth or Dare Music. “We honor and protect the value of creatives and their work. Missi and our team’s tireless work ethic and ‘out of the box’ thinking have us poised for an exciting future.”
In addition to Bogard, Truth or Dare Music has added Samantha Fisher as Publishing A&R Director.
Fisher joins the company after leading her own writer management company for six years, where she secured cuts for Tim McGraw, Jake Owen, Quavo/Lana Del Ray and many others. Her over 17 years in the industry includes time spent in artist management, concert booking and marketing, as well as a role working with JT Harding at Mighty Seven Songs Publishing.
At Truth or Dare, Fisher handles day to day publishing operations for the roster, which includes Abbey Cone, Sam Williams, KK Johnson, Ben Roberts and Austin Williams.