While some acts used CMA Fest to chase clout and social media views, Jelly Roll used it to praise God—and brought the house down doing it.
In a weekend that saw influencers hogging VIP passes, Jelly Roll flipped the script and gave fans something real: faith, grit, and a hard-fought hallelujah.
On Friday night, the country superstar surprised a crowd of 70,000 by joining Shaboozey on stage to perform their explosive new hit “Amen.” The anthem is a raw, honest cry for help from “the man upstairs,” with lyrics that struck a chord:
“Somebody say a prayer for me / Cause the pills ran out and I still can’t sleep…”
It wasn’t just another party song—it was a moment. A reminder that country music, at its core, is about truth, redemption, and the power of faith. But Jelly Roll wasn’t done. He took things even higher—literally—with a surprise appearance alongside Christian singer Brandon Lake, performing their soul-stirring duet “Hard Fought Hallelujah.” As the two raised their voices in praise, a glowing cross lit up the sky, and hands across Nissan Stadium reached upward in worship. Jelly, never one to hold back, offered a prayer right from the stage: “We love you Lord, thank you for letting us testify tonight at the CMA Fest, Father God.” In a festival landscape too often hijacked by shallow influencer culture, this was a shot of real country soul. A moment where the music didn’t just entertain—it ministered. Brandon Lake, speaking about the collaboration, said it best: “I wanted to share this song with somebody that had a really beautiful and hard-fought story, and the first person that came to mind was Jelly.” And it’s no wonder. Jelly Roll’s journey—from addiction and incarceration to the top of the charts—is a walking testimony of what God can do. While some performers brought selfies and sponsorships, Jelly brought the Spirit. CMA Fest may be changing, but thanks to artists like Jelly Roll, country music’s roots in faith, family, and redemption aren’t going anywhere.
