The Kentucky women's basketball team with superstar singer Jelly Roll Friday. (UK Athletics Photo)
My 16-year-old grandson was thrilled when he not only got to see Jelly Roll in concert in Cincinnati this week but even got a hand wave from the superstar singer.
However, it looked like Kentucky men’s basketball, women’s basketball and volleyball players were just as excited — or maybe more excited — Friday when Jelly Roll came by Memorial Coliseum and stayed to watch coach Mark Pope’s team practice.
The singer was in town with his “Beautifully Broken Tour” and played in Rupp Arena Friday night.
Kentucky athletics posted a video with Jelly Roll where he revealed he came to Rupp Arena during UK’s 1995-96 national championship season with his dad. Of course, Pope was the captain of that national championship team.
The Nashville native apparently considers Rupp Arena just as special as elite athletes do.
“I’m telling you all. If somebody asked me if I ever dreamed of playing in Rupp Arena, I’d say no,” Jelly Roll said in the video. “I wasn’t that bold to dream that big but that being said, some of you all in here are dreaming too small right now.
“Go win the game of life. When you come in here, it’ll be a fluid flow state they’ve never seen. Nothing beats love, boy.”
The big-time athletes turned into Jelly Roll fans and got pictures with him and why not. He’s become a superstar and was nominated for the Best New Artist at the Grammys and his song “Son of a Sinner” won three CMT Awards. His latest hit, “I Am Not Okay,” was nominated for a Grammy for “Best Country Solo Performance” Friday.
Jelly Roll has made several special TV appearances recently and his popularity continues to soar.
Who knows? Maybe he will show up at a UK basketball game this season.
3 Responses
I used to do shows with Jelly Roll in the early 2000s. I was a local rapper from Louisville and he was a local rapper from Nashville and we did a ton of shows together. I never believed that either us would ever be successful in music. He was smart and switched to country music. I just gave up on the dream or maybe its that like I said I didn’t believe in my dream and he did. Anyway Jelly is a very very humble man. He was on very hard drugs when I knew him. And he had all gold teeth. Great times together probably about 16 to 17 or so shows together. Great times from 2000-2005. I’m glad he chased his dream.!
Interesting, Terry Wren!
Impressive! Appreciate hearing about your background. I agree with and really like most of your posts (into a few have had anything I disagreed with in BB or FB). You definitely know your sports.
Interestingly, I had an offer to be a professional entertainer in 1970 when I did impersonations of 20 famous people in sports & politics & annnouncers, I was offered a 5 year contract. Many years later I met the sidekick of David Fry (?) – the guy who made the famous album inpersonating JFK’s voice. My brother arranged an elite dinner with him because he wanted to hear me. That night I did both Ted Kennedy and JFK, with a clear distinction between the 2. It’s more challenging to do any voice in person, without a microphone, because people only hear voices of famous people on TBlV or radio or with a microphone, but rarely face to face. After a fun evening, he said I was better than the famous impersonator. That was quite a treat. So I know somewhat how you feel seeing your friend you actually worked so many shows with, so many be Do. He said I was
Instead, I got my Chemical Engineering degree instead and eventually started my own engineering/design/construction company after some years working for The Cova-Company, US Steel & some engineering companies. International travel & even travel all over the USA began to keep me away from home too much. You would be very interesting to meet, but at 3/4 century old my travel days are limited. About 8 years ago we drove over 2,000 miles to Montana from Atlanta but now a 15 minute drive is a lot!
Jolly Roll – quite a name! Seems like he should be a fun guy to work with. Glad you had some good years with him.
If I had a means of posting this directly, I would do so, since in my Senior Citozen days I stay rather low key Hope you don’t mind my rambling!
I’m sure you have some interesting stories! I have some including impersonating Adolph Rupp with precision l.
The Lord Jesus be with you & keep your sharp mind in top shape for many years ahead!
Very interesting story, Larry!