Country music sensation Jelly Roll is making history as a headliner for Nashville's inaugural rodeo, alongside Reba McEntire and Tim McGraw. This groundbreaking event, the Music City Rodeo, marks the first Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) event in Nashville, taking place at Bridgestone Arena from May 29th to 31st. For Jelly Roll, a Nashville native, this is a momentous occasion, akin to the city welcoming the Predators hockey team or the Titans football team.
A promotional video showcases Jelly Roll in his element, holding court in a bar setting, highlighting the unique blend of Broadway's honky-tonk atmosphere and the rodeo's gritty spirit. McEntire and McGraw emphasize the historical significance of this three-night event, promising "guts, glory and history in the making."
The rodeo's theme resonates with Jelly Roll's personal life as he cultivates a farm lifestyle with his family. His wife, Bunnie XO, shared charming videos of their growing farm, introducing three miniature cows named Crunch, Brownie, and S'more. Their farm family also includes a donkey named Griz, added after Jelly Roll expressed a desire for his own animal companion. Bunnie's updates document the heartwarming moments of connection with their animals, from petting Griz for the first time to expressing affection for their cows.
The 500-acre Nashville property is a realization of a dream inspired by Jelly Roll's childhood visits to his uncle's farm. He recalls his father's regret about not investing in land, a lesson that resonated deeply. After two years of extensive touring, Jelly Roll shared an emotional video upon returning to his property, expressing gratitude to his fans for enabling him to break generational curses.
Jelly Roll's journey has been remarkable, from winning New Artist of the Year at the 2023 CMA Awards to his 2024 headlining tour. His hit singles, "Son of a Sinner" and "Need a Favor," propelled him to mainstream success in 2022. Reflecting on his past struggles with substance abuse and incarceration, Jelly Roll emphasizes the transformative power of his experiences, shaping his voice and inspiring his message of change. He even testified before Congress in 2024 about fentanyl, highlighting his commitment to becoming part of the solution.
