Lainey Wilson and Jelly Roll have been friends for a long time, before they were both country music superstars. So likely no one is happier than Wilson that the “Save Me” singer will become the next Grand Ole Opry member.

“I just could not be any more happy and proud of Jelly Roll, who he is and what he stands for, and the voice that he is for a lot of people who have not had one,” Wilson shares at a recent media event. “And so, I think about some of the stories that he’s told me, about his upbringing and his childhood, and the things that he has gone through. For him to be able to step into the Grand Ole Opry circle, I think it means more to him than any of us could ever really fully wrap our heads around.”

“I’m proud of the country music industry for a lot of reasons. But I am so thankful that we have embraced people like Jelly Roll, who have so much to bring to the table, and the stories that need to be heard. So, I’m thankful also that the Opry has welcomed him with open arms. It says a lot about this community.”

What Jelly Roll Says About Joining the Grand Ole Opry

Jelly Roll was invited to join by Craig Morgan, via video, while appearing on The Joe Rogan Experience. It was a full-circle moment for Jelly Roll, who recalls watching Morgan perform “Almost Home” at the Opry, soon after he was released from prison, and realizing he wanted to do what Morgan was doing.

“It don’t get no bigger in country music. That’s as big as it gets,” Jelly Roll told Rogan through tears. “I used to buy tickets to go there. And I remember, I googled Craig Morgan. I heard ‘Almost Home’ in jail….It’s the most tear-jerking song about  homeless people, and it just reminded me of jail. Just no matter where you are, the mind’s strong. I came home, and the song meant so much, I was like, ‘Craig Morgan live.’ It’s like ‘Grand Ole Opry house,’ and I was like, ‘I’ll go.’ I could barely afford tickets. I think I talked some girl into buying them for me. I went and sat by myself. I had an ankle bracelet on. The show went off at 9:00. I had to be home at 9:00, so I was like, if he’s the last one, I’m screwed.

“He comes out and sings ‘Almost Home,’ And I had, I’m not [joking], I’d maybe cried ten times in my life at that point,” he continues. “I cried and cried. I cried like I’m crying here now, and I just remember thinking, ‘Man, I wanna make people feel the way he makes me feel. That’s what I want to do. I did it, Joe.”