Jelly Roll stormed the 2024 CMT Music Awards stage to deliver an explosive performance of his “Halfway To Hell” after winning three awards at the show.
Live from Moody Center in Austin, Texas, the genre-bending star captivated the audience with his electrifying rendition of his current single at Country radio.
“Moody Center, let’s go!” Jelly Roll shouted as he took the stage for his fiery performance.
Jelly Roll, whose real name is Jason DeFord, made his way around the stage which was illuminated in red lights with massive chapel windows filling the background. As he got to the final chorus of the tune, he tossed his microphone and ventured through the audience to greet fans before returning to the stage to finish out the tune.
“Because of the fans, I just won three CMTs,” he yelled as fire erupted around him and concluded the performance, which had Gayle King and Cody Johnson dancing along.
“Halfway To Hell”
Co-written by Jelly Roll alongside Jesse Frasure, Matt Jenkins and Jessi Jo Dillon, “Halfway To Hell” showcases the genre-defying artist singing about seeking balance in his life amidst the realms of Heaven and Hell.
“Halfway to Heaven or halfway to Hell/ My angels and demons at war with myself/ One foot in the fire and I still can’t tell/ Am I halfway to Heaven/ Halfway to Heaven or Hell?” Jelly Roll sings on the chorus.
The song is track one on his latest project, WHITSITT CHAPEL, which serves as his debut country project.
“‘Halfway to Hell’ baby, the best way to start the album, an absolute banger! I wanted to start this album with something hard, and something that meant something and something that felt something,” he previously explained. “And something that was about that constant duality of life that I love to write songs about. Being somewhere between right and wrong.”
Jelly Roll was among the most-nominated artists at the 2024 CMT Awards with three nods, including Male Video of The Year (“NEED A FAVOR”), CMT Performance of The Year (“NEED A FAVOR” from 2023 CMT Music Awards) as well as biggest award of the night, Video of The Year (“NEED A FAVOR”). He was crowned the winner in each of the three categories.
2024 CMT Music Awards
The 2024 CMT Music Awards also featured performances by Jelly Roll, Bailey Zimmerman, Keith Urban, Lainey Wilson, Sam Hunt, Cody Johnson, Dasha, Jason Aldean, Kelsea Ballerini, Megan Moroney, Trisha Yearwood and more.
The fan-voted awards show included a star-studded list of one-of-a-kind collaborations and memorable moments. Parker McCollum teamed up with Brittney Spencer to perform “Burn It Down,” while Old Dominion and Megan Moroney joined forces to deliver a performance of their fan-favorite duet, “Can’t Break Up Now.”
Meanwhile, NEEDTOBREATHE and Jordan Davis gave fans a taste of what’s to come on their episode of CMT Crossroads and Sugarland reunited to premiere a brand-new collaboration with Little Big Town, marking the duo’s return to the CMT Music Awards and their first time performing together on the show since 2011.
The three-hour broadcast also honored late country music icon, Toby Keith, with an emotional tribute performance from Brooks & Dunn, Lainey Wilson, Sammy Hagar, all backed by Toby Keith’s longtime band. Lukas Nelson and Rogers Clemens also made special appearances during the tribute.
Jelly Roll, Megan Moroney, Amber Riley, Billy Bob Thornton (Landman), Carly Pearce, Cody Alan, Cody Johnson, Emily Osment (Young Sheldon), Emma Roberts, Gayle King (CBS Mornings), James Van Der Beek, Jane Seymour, Jelly Roll, Max Theriot (Fire Country), Melissa Etheridge, Mickey Guyton, Minnie Driver, Montana Jordan (Young Sheldon), Parmalee and Paul Walter Hauser served as presenters during the coveted awards show.
Hosted by Kelsea Ballerini, the 2024 CMT Music Awards aired live from the Moody Center in Austin, Texas, on Sunday, April 7 at 8/7c on CBS. The show is also available to stream live and on demand on Paramount+.
