Jelly Roll receives emotional Grand Ole Opry invitation during surprise moment on Joe Rogan’s podcast

Jelly Roll breaks down after Craig Morgan unexpectedly invites him to join the Grand Ole Opry

Jelly Roll was overcome with emotion after receiving a surprise invitation to join the Grand Ole Opry during a recording of The Joe Rogan Experiencey. The country singer was in the middle of discussing his career and recent performances when Rogan introduced a special video message from singer-songwriter and Opry member Craig Morgan, a longtime friend and early supporter.

In the recorded message, Morgan reflected on his relationship with Jelly Roll, recalling how meaningful it was to discover that his music had helped the artist through difficult periods in his life. Morgan went on to officially extend the honor: “Jelly Roll, you are officially invited to become a member of the Grand Ole Opry. It’s an honor to say, ‘Welcome to the family, brother.’”

The unexpected announcement brought Jelly Roll to tears. He spoke about seeing Morgan perform at the Opry for the first time years earlier, a moment that took place shortly after his release from prison when he was still wearing an ankle monitor. He described Morgan as someone whose music and mentorship had been transformative during that period. As the shock gave way to excitement, Jelly Roll joked that he might be the first artist invited to the Opry while sitting on a podcast.

Following the episode, Jelly Roll shared a clip of the moment on Instagram, writing that he was “honored beyond words” and could not “stop pinching” himself. He thanked the Opry for embracing him over the years and expressed heartfelt gratitude to Morgan, saying that no amount of thanks could capture how much the gesture meant to him.

The artist’s official Opry induction date has not yet been released, but the invitation marks a significant milestone in his career. Jelly Roll has performed at the historic venue several times, making his Opry debut in 2021 and returning frequently, including a recent appearance where he performed “I Am Not Okay” with children from a local elementary school choir.