Country music witnessed a powerful moment when Jelly Roll received his Grand Ole Opry invitation during Wednesday’s episode of The Joe Rogan Experience.
The multi-Grammy nominee buried his face in his hands as tears flowed freely, overcome by the surprise announcement from his mentor Craig Morgan.
Morgan’s video message arrived without warning. “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 shared from the Opry House. “Jelly Roll, you are officially invited to become a member of the Grand Ole Opry. It’s an honour to say, ‘Welcome to the family, brother.'”
The invitation marks a full-circle moment for the Antioch, Tennessee native. Years ago, fresh from prison and wearing an ankle monitor, Jelly Roll scraped together money to watch Morgan perform ‘Almost Home’ at the Opry.
The song had sustained him through incarceration, and seeing it live sparked his determination to pursue country music.
“It don’t get no bigger in country music, bubba,” Jelly Roll told Rogan through tears. “I used to buy tickets to go there.”
Since his November 2021 Opry debut, the artist has become a fan favourite whilst mentoring emerging talent through the Opry NextStage programme. His dedication to the institution runs deep, having hosted NextStage Live shows in Texas and performed countless times on its stage.
The honour arrives during an extraordinary period for Jelly Roll. He currently holds a 2026 Grammy nomination for Contemporary Country Album of the Year for Beautifully Broken, which debuted at number one on the Billboard 200. The album features his multi-week chart-topper ‘I Am Not Okay’, another Grammy-nominated track.
An official induction date will be announced soon, cementing Jelly Roll’s place amongst country music’s most celebrated artists.
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