Jelly Roll has lots of love for the kind of artist Lainey Wilson is.
During her concert at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena on Oct. 2 for her current “Whirlwind World Tour,” Wilson brought the “Need a Favor” singer onto the stage, where he raved about her.
“I want you to know, as a girl dad, what you mean to my family and my d
aughter and all these little girls in this building, the inspiration,” he said.
“You are the role model us parents were praying for, to encourage these young women to be brave, be bold and share their testimony across the globe. You did that, girl.”
Jelly Roll also praised the “Heart Like a Truck” singer for her contributions to country music.
“You brought the bell-bottoms back in style, girl,” he said, as his voice rose in excitement.
“You made country music cool again,” he said. “A 66-city ‘Whirlwind Tour,’ sounds like the entertainer of the year to me. I love you, Lainey Wilson!”
The crowd howled while Jelly Roll took off his hat and hugged Wilson, who appeared to be moved by his words.
Wilson won entertainer of the year at the 2025 ACM Awards, beating out a field that included Jelly Roll. Wilson is also up for entertainer of the year at the CMA Awards, which she will host live on Nov. 19 at 8 p.m. ET on ABC. It will mark the second consecutive year she will host the show.
Wilson has emerged as one of the preeminent country stars of her time, but it was a long road to make it to the top, spending three years in Nashville in a camper trailer after she first arrived.
