“It’s More Than a Concert”: Jelly Roll Gives Impassioned Speech and Powerful “I Am Not Okay” Performance at Austin City Limits Debut

Jelly Roll’s “Winning Streak” hasn’t faded since releasing his highly acclaimed country music debut, Whitsitt Chapel, in 2023. The “Need a Favor” hitmaker recently topped the Billboard 200 for the first time with his latest album, Beautifully Broken. On Sept. 28, he was the first musical guest of Saturday Night Live’s historic 50th season. And on Sunday (Nov. 2) the Antioch, Tennessee-born artist, 39, will make his Austin City Limits debut. Watch this preview of his stunning “I Am Not Okay” performance below.

“It’s More Than a Concert”

Austin City Limits is celebrating 50 years of music this year. And who better to help with that than Jelly Roll, who represents the future of country music to so many?

The genre-bending star will premiere his six-song set on Saturday (Nov. 2), with performances including “I Am Not Okay” and “Need a Favor.” On Thursday (Oct. 31), ACL shared a sneak peek of the former performance to its YouTube channel.

It wouldn’t be a Jelly Roll performance without an inspiring speech, and the Entertainer of the Year nominee did not disappoint.

“The thing about these shows are, is that it’s more than a concert, it’s more than music,” he told the crowd. “It’s bigger than me, it’s bigger than the music, it’s about the message. It’s about redemption, it’s about second chances, it’s about being OK with not being OK sometimes.”

And with that, he launched into yet another stirring rendition of the Billboard Country Airplay chart top 5 hit. When he belts, I am not OK / But it’s all gonna be all right, you just can’t help but believe him.

Jelly Roll Invites Inmates Onstage For Incredible Performance

Long before his country music breakout, Jelly Roll was very familiar with the wrong side of the law. He has spoken openly about spending parts of his teenage years and 20s incarcerated. And he never misses a chance to give back to those currently in similar situations.

[RELATED: Jelly Roll Moved to Tears as He Breaks a Generational Curse Thanks to the Advice of His Late Father]

Prior to his Wednesday (Oct. 30) show in Charlottesville, Virginia, Jelly Roll visited the local jail. And the “Save Me” singer was so moved by their stories that he invited four inmates to share the stage with him as he performed “Unpretty,” off his recent Beautifully Broken album.

“If anybody believes in second chances, it’s a f—in’ Jelly Roll show,” the artist said.

Featured image by Stephen Lovekin/Shutterstock