Jelly Roll has seen all kinds of fans in the crowd at his shows, but during a recent performance at the Tailgate N’ Tallboys festival in Midland, Mich., he saw something that shocked even him.
From the stage, Jelly caught a glimpse of a fan in the front rows who had an IV drip in her arm, and he paused his show to give her a shoutout.
“First of all, there is a young lady right here in the front of the crowd — where’s my camera guy at? Where’s my man?” the singer said, gesturing for the camera operator to come forward and get a shot of the fan so that the whole crowd could see.
“I’ve seen a lot of crazy s–t at my shows. But this young lady is out here with a full-blown IV,” Jelly went on to say.
“You’re a cancer survivor?” he continued, presumably echoing what the fan was telling him. “How many people are with you?”
The crowd roared their support back.
“Let’s get her a chair somewhere,” Jelly went on to say, looking back towards his stage crew for assistance. “Somebody on my team. Let’s get her somewhere comfortable for the rest of the show. We’ll get you off your feet, baby, okay?”
According to the Midland Daily News, Jelly’s performance — the headlining set on a bill that also included Warren Zeiders and Alexandra Kay — was met with a crowd about 15,000 strong. It was Day 2 of the Tailgate N’ Tallboys Festival.
Jelly is almost as famous for his good deeds as he is for his music. He’s known for taking time to meet fans, sharing hugs and listening to their stories. He’s open about his past as a drug dealer and convicted felon, and he uses that experience to bring positive messaging to jails, rehab facilities, medical and hospice centers and more.
Carena Liptak is an Associate Editor and staff writer at Taste of Country. She specializes in breaking country music news, interviews and lists. In particular, she’s got a soft spot for sad songs — check out her roundup of the 50 Saddest Country Songs of All Time!
Top 20 Songs of 2024, Ranked (So Far)
New country artists rule this Top Country Songs of 2024 list, but that doesn’t mean traditional country isn’t represented early and often.
Airplay charts, sales data and streaming numbers helped make this list of country music’s Top 20 Songs of 2024, but staff and Taste of Country reader opinion were most influential.
Songs included on previous Top Country Songs lists were not eligible. A song may have been released in 2023, but it had to have the majority of recorded airplay or impact this year to count.
Gallery Credit: Billy Dukes