Jelly Roll is teasing his upcoming performance at the 58th Academy Of Country Music Awards, which he says will feature a “special guest.”
Ahead of the 2023 ACM Awards, the genre-bending star sat down with Audacy’s Katie & Company to chat about his appearance at the coveted awards show and drop a few hints of fans can expect from his performance.
“A Special Guest”
“I am nervous. I’m not even excited yet. Cause I’m so nervous. I’m singing with… I’m singing with a special guest and I am nervous because that special guest can really sing and I’m new to singing, so I’m nervous,” Jelly Roll revealed.
“It’s Going To Be Big”
“When you hear who it is you’re going to be like, ‘oh I see, I’d be nervous too,’” he added, before sharing, “it’s going to be big.”
He also revealed that there are a few people in the star-studded audience that he doesn’t want to lock eyes with during his performance.
“I’m going to be scared to look at Trisha [Yearwood] and Zach [Bryan] because I love Zach. I’m such a Zach Bryan fan and I’m such a Trisha Yearwood fan, so that’ll be the ones I have to avoid,” Jelly Roll continued.
Jelly Roll did say there is one person in the crowd that he wouldn’t mind seeing, his longtime friend, HARDY. He admitted that he knows that he “can look at him and get a smile.”
In another interview with Wayne D on The BIG 98, Jelly Roll shared that there is one person that he hopes to meet at the event.
“This is my plea to Garth Brooks,” Jelly Roll said. “Garth Brooks I just want you to know that I have been a fan of yours my whole life. I’ve seen you 12 times. I’ve seen you live more than any other artist by 11 times. Okay, Garth if I get a chance to just tell you what your music means to me in person that’d mean a lot, but if not I hope you see this.”
Save Me Documentary
The news comes just days after the 38-year-old announced a documentary, Jelly Roll: Save Me. The film by ABC New Studios will give viewers an inside look at the “Son Of A Sinner” singer’s life on the road with never-before-seen footage from his tour. It will also include interviews with Jelly Roll and people who are close to him.
With a desire to inspire others to make a change in their lives, Jelly Roll will share his personal trials and tribulations throughout film, which will debut on May 30.
New Album, WHITSITT CHAPEL
Jelly Roll is currently preparing to release his new album, WHITSITT CHAPEL, which arrives on June 2, 2023. The project, named after the church the Antioch native grew up attending, will feature 13 tracks, including his current single “NEED A FAVOR” and the previously released track, “SHE.”
“This album is about growth and gratitude happening in my life. I wanted to create a project that felt hopeful. I believe the worst feeling a person can have is feeling hopeless or worthless. This is therapeutic music. Real music for real people with real problems,” Jelly Roll shared in a statement.
Backroad Baptism Tour
Additionally, Jelly Roll will soon embark on his massive 44-date headlining arena tour, dubbed the Backroad Baptism Tour.
Hosted by Josh Adam Meyers, the trek kicks off on Friday, July 28 at Bank Plus Amphitheater in Southhaven, Mississippi. The Backroad Baptism will run through Saturday, October 14, where the trek will wrap up in Tampa, Florida at MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Amphitheatre.
2023 ACM Awards
The 58th Academy of Country Music Awards will feature performances by Jason Aldean, Jordan Davis, Kane Brown, Luke Combs, Cody Johnson, Miranda Lambert, Ashley McBryde, Dolly Parton, Jelly Roll, Ed Sheeran, HARDY, Keith Urban, The War And Treaty, Lainey Wilson, Bailey Zimmerman and more.
Nine awards will be announced during the live broadcast.
Additionally, “Country Music’s Party Of The Year” will feature a star-studded list of collaborations and unforgettable moments. Reigning ACM Female Artist Of The Year Carly Pearce will team up with Trisha Yearwood to perform a special medley of in celebration of the 25th anniversary of Yearwood winning Female Artist Of The Year.
Meanwhile, Cole Swindell will join forces with Jo Dee Messina to deliver an epic performance of the “She Had Me At Heads Carolina” remix and Ashley McBryde will take fans to Lindeville with a performance of “Bonfire At Tina’s.”
Gabby Barrett, BRELAND, Brandy Clark, Jordan Davis, Mickey Guyton, Tyler Hubbard, Dustin Lynch, T.J. Osborne, Jon Pardi, Carly Pearce, MacKenzie Porter, Dak Prescott, Emmitt Smith, Tanya Tucker, Keith Urban and Trisha Yearwood are scheduled to present during the ceremony.
The two-hour awards show will also stream live for a global audience across 240+ countries and territories exclusively on Prime Video and the Amazon Music channel on Twitch.
Co-hosted by country music icons Dolly Parton and Garth Brooks, the 2023 ACM Awards will broadcast live from Ford Center at The Star in Frisco, Texas at 7/6c.
