Jelly Roll continues to create unforgettable moments for his fans, doing so again over the weekend for a 12-year-old boy named Preston Wells. Preston is battling Stage 4 cancer and is a patient at East Tennessee Children’s Hospital, and Joey and Nancy on 107.7 WIVK in Knoxville brought Preston on their radio show to share his story earlier this month in the hope that it would reach the “NEED A FAVOR” singer.
Preston Writes Cards To Inmates And Military Members
Joey shared with his co-host that Preston had written 136 cards for the troops with a message of thanks, and he and Nancy brought the tween on the show along with his grandfather, Randy, to share his story.
“P-Man wants to thank all of his friends,” Randy shared. “So many people have prayed for him and loved him and been there for him, and Preston knows what sacrifice is. He knows what struggle is, he knows what being scared is, and every time he has the opportunity to help somebody or to encourage somebody, that’s what P-Man is really about.”
Earlier this year, the 12-year-old wrote over 200 cards for inmates at the Roane County Jail. Preston explained that he wanted to write the cards “because some people don’t have a family to write them a card to say Merry Christmas or nothing like that. So I was like, ‘Hey, keep your head up, now I’m saying Merry Christmas to you.’”
“If you have some pain in your life, if you try to help someone else, it will make you feel good inside,” Preston explained. “You’ll be like ‘Hey I’m glad I’ve done that and stuff like that.’ I feel like you should always be nice.” He also revealed plans to write Christmas cards for the Roane County Jail and the prison in Morganton as well this coming holiday season.
Preston Got To Meet Jelly Roll In East Tennessee
Joey and Nancy shared the segment online and wrote that they want to connect Preston with Jelly Roll. Their mission was successful, and Preston got to meet his favorite singer on Saturday (Nov. 25) with coordination from the hospital.
Joey shared the news with listeners online, posting a photo of Preston and Jelly Roll together and sharing that Jelly Roll drove from Nashville to Knoxville to meet Preston. The two attended the Tennessee Volunteers game at Neyland Stadium and spent some time together along with Preston’s family.
Preston’s Mom Amanda Praises Jelly Roll For His Kindness
“Jelly Roll is the most caring, sincere, gentleman I’ve ever met,” Preston’s mom, Amanda Wells, told Music Mayhem, adding that “you could tell” the country star “really wanted to be there.”
“He didn’t just come to see my son because a friend called in a favor, or for views,” she said. “He told my baby that he was honored to meet him, and I genuinely believe that.” Wells added that Jelly Roll was “very attentive” to Preston, “listened to him when he spoke” and asked Preston questions about himself. “It was much like he was the fan and Preston the celebrity,” Wells recalled. “We will never be able to thank Jelly Roll enough for the joy he brought my son. He has been so sick for so long. He hasn’t had much happiness or joy.”
Preston’s kind heart extends to others wherever he is, and the mother of one of Preston’s fellow patients at the hospital commented on East Tennessee Children’s Hospital’s Facebook post of Preston with Jelly Roll to share another story of his generosity.
“This sweet, sweet child went out of his way to make care bags for kids in the hospital,” Jenna Holland shared. “The bag that was given to my daughter had a full sized inspirational throw blanket in it with a special note from him. It gave my daughter added comfort during her month-long stay & the kindness from a child going through his own battle brought a tear to this momma’s eye. P-man. You have such a kind heart. God bless you.”
Preston Talks Meeting Jelly Roll For First Time
Following his hang with Jelly Roll, Preston returned to Joey and Nancy on 107.7 WIVK to chat about meeting the “Son Of A Sinner” singer. Donning a signed Jelly Roll hoodie, Preston opened up about the unforgettable experience, one that he will cherish forever.
“It was a surprise. It was a big surprise. I was really happy when I figured out that,” Preston told the pair of radio hosts, before sharing, “he is a teddy bear.”
“He’s a very down to earth person,” Preston added, revealing that Jelly Roll even gave him his gamer tag to play video games like Call of Duty with him online.
