Because he's so open about his jailhouse to penthouse life story, Jelly Roll tends to come off as a motivational speaker. That was never more apparent than on Wednesday night (Nov. 8) at the 2023 CMA Awards.
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After winning New Artist of the Year, Jelly Roll thanked his wife Bunnie XO, Jesus and a host of others before launching into what can best be described as a fiery camp meeting sermon.
"There is something poetic about a 39-year-old man winning New Artist of the Year," he said. "I don't know where you're at in your life or what you're going through, but I want to tell you to keep going, baby. I want to tell you success is on the other side of it. I want to tell you it's gonna be okay. I want to tell you that the windshield is bigger than the rearview mirror for a reason. Because what's in front of you is so much more important than what's behind you!"
In addition, Jelly Roll graciously put over the rest of the New Artist of the Year nominees.
"Megan [Moroney], Parker [McCollum], Hailey [Whitters] I love all y'all, we're friends. And Zach Bryan, I think you are one of the hottest things on earth, not just country music. You deserve this as much as anybody else. I love you. I'm glad we're sitting there partying the rest of the night," he added.
Jelly Roll performed twice during the broadcast. He opened the show with his hit "Need a Favor," which became a surprise duet with Wynonna Judd. He closed things out with something else that would've sounded at home in church: a duet of The Judd's unity anthem "Love Can Build a Bridge" with R&B singer and television personality K. Michelle.
