When Jelly Roll appeared on The Joe Rogan Experience last December, the podcast host had a surprise for him. During the episode, Rogan played a video message from one of Jelly Roll's heroes, Craig Morgan.
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"I'll never forget meeting you on the Grand Ole Opry, and how much it meant to ME to hear you say my music helped you get through some really tough times," Morgan said.
"That's one thing country music does really well. Who would have ever dreamed I'd be back at the Opry House today to say... Jelly Roll, you are officially invited to become a member of the Grand Ole Opry. It's an honor to say, 'Welcome to the family, brother.'"
Well, last night, Jelly Roll's induction into the Grand Ole Opry became official, and it was quite a bash.
Lainey Wilson Inducted Jelly Roll Into the Grand Ole Opry
Jelly Roll's mother had never seen her son perform at the Grand Ole Opry before. All that changed the evening of March 10. She had a front row seat, watching him perform hits like "Need a Favor," "I Am Not Okay," and "Hard Fought Hallelujah."
As reported by ABC Audio, Morgan made an appearance at the event, but Lainey Wilson was the one to make Jelly Roll's membership official. She echoed Morgan's sentiments during her speech.
"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 said. "He turned pain into purpose, mistakes into music, and somehow managed to make millions of people feel like they are a little less alone."
Jelly Roll Then Gave Quite an Emotional Speech
Wilson then gave Jelly Roll the trophy that symbolizes his membership in the Opry. He couldn't help but get emotional about the honor.
"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," he said.
"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," he added. "Some stories only God can write."
To wrap up the memorable night, Jelly Roll and Wilson closed out the show with a performance of "Save Me." You can watch Jelly Roll's speech below.
