Lainey Wilson was the halftime performer at the Dallas Cowboys and New York Giants’ Thanksgiving Day game, but attendees got more than just Wilson. The Louisiana native was joined by her good friend, Jelly Roll, to sing their “Save Me” collaboration together.
In addition to “Save Me,” Wilson also performed “Heart Like a Truck,” “Hang Tight Honey,” and her current Top 15 single, “4X4XU.” Watch the entire performance here.
It was Jelly Roll who first recorded “Save Me,” releasing it on his own in 2020, before he even had a record deal, later including it on his debut country album, Whitsitt Chapel, released in 2023. It was also Jelly Roll’s idea to include Wilson on the song, just as her own career was beginning to explode.
“The obvious is Lainey is one of my best friends in the music business,” Jelly Roll tells CMT. “Lainey, Ernest, everybody knows my little squad … These are the people I talked to pretty religiously. And, I think it was special that I was the guy that got to show the world that side of Lainey.”
Photo Credit: Courtesy of the ACM
It’s no surprise that Wilson gave up a holiday to perform. It’s all part of why Jelly Roll says she keeps winning awards and accolades, because she is not only talented, but has an unmatched work ethic as well.
“I pride myself on being a really hard worker,” Jelly Roll tells Taste of Country. “I’ve never seen nobody — this is what I say to people: I do the stuff that other people in this town won’t do. Lainey Wilson does the stuff I won’t do. She is willing. She is working.”
Prior to her performance, the reigning CMA Female Vocalist of the Year — for the third year in a row — received a surprise message from her own musical hero: Dolly Parton. It’s Parton who performed at the show last year, which also serves as the kickoff for the Salvation Army Red Kettle Campaign. The Country Music Hall of Fame member also praised Wilson for having a highway in her hometown named after her.
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“I wanted to take a moment and congratulate my dear friend Lainey,” Parton says. “As a traveling musician, you spend an awful lot of time on life’s highways, so it’s a true honor to have one of them named after you, especially one in your hometown. The Lainey Wilson Highway. Got a nice ring to it, don’t it? And a little birdie told me that you were going to be doing the halftime show for the Dallas Cowboys this year. Well, I’m excited to pass the Salvation Army Bell to you, as this year’s Red Kettle Kickoff Halftime Performer.
“I’m really proud of you for using your incredible talents to help those in need,” she adds. “And as your biggest cheerleader, Dallas Cowboys cheerleader that is, we can’t wait to watch you light up that stage on Thanksgiving. So good luck, and I will be cheering you on.”
Find all of Wilson’s music and upcoming shows at LaineyWilson.com.