The crowd was electric, but the moment Jelly Roll stepped onto the CMA Awards stage with Wynonna Judd, the energy changed. You could feel the weight of what was coming; not just a performance, but a shared experience between two artists who know pain and aren’t afraid to sing about it. When “Need A Favor” began, their voices met like two storms colliding, Jelly Roll with his gritty urgency, Wynonna with her steady strength. It was a moment that didn’t need fireworks; the voices said everything.
There’s nothing polished or perfect about the way Jelly Roll delivers this song and that’s exactly what makes it powerful. He sings like a man who’s messed up more than once, who still carries guilt and who’s desperate for grace. Wynonna adds another layer not just harmony but grounding. When she looks at him while he sings, it feels like someone who understands exactly what he’s saying. The mix of gravel and grace between them turns this song into something spiritual.
Jelly Roll & Wynonna Judd – Need A Favor (Live from the 57th Annual CMA Awards)
Listeners say this version of Need A Favor gave them chills. Many write in the comments about how they’ve prayed the same words and stood in the same space between regret and hope. The song becomes more than a performance it becomes a mirror. People don’t just hear it, they see themselves in it. That connection is why Jelly Roll keeps rising; he doesn’t perform from a pedestal, but he sings from the middle of the mess.
You hear the same heart in “Even Angels Cry,” a solo track that slows everything down and leans into quiet sorrow. This time, Jelly Roll isn’t asking anyone for help he’s just admitting how heavy everything feels. The lyrics are soft, the pace slow, and there’s no need to shout. The pain speaks for itself, it’s not angry, it’s tired.
Jelly Roll – Even Angels Cry (Official Music Video)
In this video, there’s less production and more presence. Jelly Roll lets the camera sit with him while he breaks open a truth that many people try to hide: that even strong people fall apart, and even those who smile through it all have days when they don’t know how to keep going. He’s not giving advice. He’s just telling the truth, and that’s what hit it so hard.
That’s why Jelly Roll keeps connecting with people across genres and generations. Whether he’s sharing the stage with a legend or standing alone in a dark room, he never hides what he’s feeling. He permits people to feel their truth too. Follow him on YouTube, Instagram, and streaming platforms because the next time you feel like you’re alone in it, his voice will be there to remind you that you’re not.