Jelly Roll’s Opry Induction Outfit Included A Meaningful Tribute To Johnny Cash
Jelly Roll included a tribute to Johnny Cash in the outfit he wore for his induction into the Grand Ole Opry. (Photo Credits: Paramount Pictures / Getty Images & © Grand Ole Opry, Photos By Chris Hollo)
Jelly Roll Was Inducted Into The Grand Ole Opry On March 10
Following in the footsteps of artists such as Johnny Cash, Dolly Parton, Carrie Underwood, and Randy Travis, Jelly Roll is now a member of the Grand Ole Opry.
Jelly was inducted into the Opry on Tuesday, March 10. Craig Morgan, ERNEST, and Leanne Morgan turned out to celebrate him, while Lainey Wilson officially welcomed him into the Opry family.
“There are some people in this business who are great singers, some people who are great songwriters and storytellers, and every once in a while somebody comes along who is something even bigger than that,” Wilson said. “They are a voice for people who feel like they don’t have one. And that’s exactly who Jelly Roll is. Your love for Jesus Christ radiates from you, and I’m so proud of you.“
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Jelly Roll, a Nashville native, had a troubled past. In a full-circle moment, Sheriff Daron Hall and Davidson County Juvenile Correctional Professional Yolanda Hockett attended his Opry induction. Jelly thanked the pair for believing in him and supporting him ever since he served time in the Davidson County juvenile center.
Jelly Roll reflected on the momentous occasion. He said, “To take a convicted felon from Music City who found country music because I’m from Nashville, and you take that kid who’s been in the local juvenile and local county jail, and you bring him here and give him Grammys, awards, and platinum plaques, and then you make him a member of the most prestigious group of the Grand Ole Opry. Every word of that sounded like I’m telling you a lot about myself, but that is a story only God could be the author of.“
The night was packed full of musical performances, with Jelly Roll singing “Liar,” “Need a Favor,” “I Am Not Okay,” and “Hard Fought Hallelujah.” ERNEST joined him to sing “Son of a Sinner,” and Lainey Wilson joined him to perform their duet, “Save Me.”
John Carter Cash Gave Jelly Roll His Father’s Favorite Piece Of Jewelry To Wear At The Opry
Speaking to the media before his induction, Jelly Roll revealed that part of his outfit honored Johnny Cash. Johnny’s son, John Carter Cash, gave Jelly Roll a special gift before the show. The gift was a cross necklace that Johnny treasured as his favorite piece of jewelry.
“[John Carter] opens up a box and he goes, ‘I got something of my father’s I think that he would want you to wear,'” Jelly recalled. “And he opened up this cross necklace that was Johnny Cash’s necklace. He said it was his father’s favorite piece of jewelry…And he thinks that he would want me to wear this during the induction…”
Jelly continued to say:
“I lived my entire life somewhere between two middle fingers and the grace of Jesus Christ. And I learned that from Johnny Cash. This is the same guy that famously kicked the lights out onstage at the Ryman…That’s breaking a law, by the way. He could have went to jail for that destruction of property. And this is also the same guy that I know is sitting right next to Jesus in the throne of heaven…“
What Jelly Roll said is true. Johnny Cash became an Opry member in 1956 and met his future wife, June Carter, at his debut show.
He remained a regular performer at the Opry until 1965. That’s when he received a temporary ban for having an outburst onstage and destroying all the footlights at the Ryman.
But the Opry eventually welcomed him back. He remained a member until his death in 2003.
Jelly Roll mentioned that he and Johnny Cash were also the same height. Because of that, he’s touched knowing that the cross on Johnny’s necklace sat close to both of their hearts
Watch the video below of Jelly Roll during his Opry induction to get another look at the necklace he wore as a meaningful tribute to Johnny Cash. He also shares more about how much that gift meant to him…
