Jelly Roll is nominated for five CMA Awards, but that pales in comparison to what he says is his biggest honor: opening the live ceremony. The Nashville native will kick off the show by performing “Love Can Build A Bridge,” from the A Tribute To The Judds album, a song Jelly Roll sang with K. Michelle and The Fisk Jubilee Singers, as the final track on the project.

“The feeling of performing at the CMA Awards is unreal in itself,” Jelly Roll said ahead of the CMA Awards. “The feeling of opening the CMA Awards is a totally different thing. They were like, ‘You’re gonna get to perform this year.’ Right then, I was like ‘No way.’ I immediately got nervous. … They called back and said, ‘We think they want you to open the show. I was like, ‘You’re kidding me.’ I think the only honor bigger than maybe winning a CMA is getting to open the CMAs.”

K. Michelle is joining Jelly Roll for the opening number, just part of what Jelly Roll says makes the performance so special.

“The ‘Love Can Build A Bridge’ tribute, to me, is the biggest honor I’ve had, ’cause I’m honoring the legacy of The Judds,” Jelly Roll explains. “The opportunity to honor the story of Wynonna and Naomi — I don’t think it could be more of an honor than to do that. And I’m getting to do it next to who I think is one of the greatest vocalists of our generation. And, I am going to respect The Judds. I’m going to perform with love and reference, and  I’m going to step out of the way, and let K. Michelle take people to church.”

Jelly Roll couldn’t believe that only one artist, namely Lainey Wilson, had more nominations than him. For someone who once dreamed of a career in country music, having so many nominations, including for Male Vocalist of the Year and Single of the Year, for his second consecutive No. 1 hit with “Need A Favor,” is almost more than he can fathom. Almost.

 

“It is known as Country Music’s biggest night,” Jelly Roll said on social media when the nominations were announced.. “It literally doesn’t get any bigger than this and I have five nominations. I couldn’t control myself when I got the news… everything about this is unreal. The truth is, being nominated is already a win for me. Just being recognized by my peers and by the industry for the work we put in is amazing, especially for my people, this is a win for all the underdogs and forgotten.

“These are the moments I hope my people are the most proud of, that I have taken our message to the masses without compromise and have been embraced,” he continues. “Thank you to the CMA Country Music Association. This is magical and you can bet the farm that my wife and I will show up dressed to impress yet trashy as ever – see y’all November 8th.”

Luke Bryan and Peyton Manning will return as hosts of the live ceremony. The 2023 CMA Awards will air live from Nashville on Wednesday, November 8, at 8:00 PM ET on ABC. More information can be found at CMAAwards.com.