Back in January, Nashville was rocked with a horrible tragedy when a student at Antioch High School opened fire inside the cafeteria. Sadly, the individual killed one student before taking his own life. Over the following months, the students and staff worked through the emotions of the shooting. And it seemed they received a little help from Ruby Elementary School when a small group of students performed Jelly Roll’s “I’m Not Okay.” Well, given Jelly Roll’s massive heart, he didn’t miss a moment to honor those children when he brought them out on the Grand Ole Opry stage.
With the CMA Fest a moment to celebrate all things country music, Jelly Roll used the spotlight to bring awareness to the amazing love and support shown by the young children. He explained how he even rushed back to Nashville to help after the shooting. It made sense given it was Jelly Roll’s old school. “I went back as soon as I could to help. But before I could make it, some children at Ruby Elementary School, right here in Nashville, in Hermitage, Tennessee, about sixteen minutes down the street, had a genius music teacher named Mr. K, who has been teaching these beautiful souls that music is powerful.”
Jelly Roll Considers The Grand Ole Opry “God’s House”
Already getting emotional, Jelly Roll could barely contain himself as he insisted, “These kids, all on their own.. I’m gonna cry… Somebody say something funny, please.” Powering through, Jelly continued, “But these kids, they sung a song of mine called ‘I’m Not Okay,’ and they sent it to the high schoolers ’cause they said, ‘Maybe the big kids need the little kids to inspire them right now.’”
Eventually bringing out the small group of kids, Jelly Roll started to perform “I’m Not Okay”, telling the crowd, “I have been looking for a reason to bring these talented kids on the stage to sing this song. And I think this is as close to God’s house as we could do it right here at the Grand Ole Opry during CMA Fest.”
With Jelly Roll leading the children through the song, he eventually stepped away to let them soak in the moment. As for Mr. K, he admitted, “The crowd was so into them, and they were so loud. They just started bawling, and then Jelly Roll started bawling. It was awesome.”
Always wearing his heart on his sleeve, Jelly Roll once again proved that stardom hasn’t remotely changed his giving nature and love for helping those in need.