Jelly Roll draws 73K for ‘dream come true’
Jelly Roll called his RodeoHouston debut a “dream come true” and a “once-in-a-lifetime” moment.
“This is the biggest show of my entire life!” he screamed at the top of his lungs. He was dressed the part in a black cowboy hat and studded jacket.
Jelly Roll and the band’s excitement punctuated Wednesday night’s hourlong set. At one point, his drummer stood and stared in awe from behind his kit. A guitarist pulled out his phone and filmed from the stage.
The crowd of 73,494 was the second-biggest number so far this year, just about 1,200 behind 50 Cent’s star-studded show last week. It’s more impressive considering Jelly Roll just played the Woodlands Pavilion in September.
“Halfway to Hell” was a thundering kickoff, a recitation of the contradictions that have mapped his life. (“I’m a dive bar Sunday sermon/Holy water with my bourbon …”) It could come off as contrived. But Jelly Roll has lived it and then some: turbulent upbringing, drug dealer, jail time. That honesty has forged a strong connection with fans.
Before country stardom, Jelly Roll built a following as a rapper. He honored that with heartfelt originals “Creature” and “Smoking Section.” His wife, Bunnie XO, jumped onstage during “Bottle and Mary Jane” for a quick kiss and hug. He also ran through a highenergy, haphazard medley of songs by Eazy-E, Eminem, Outkast and Biz Markie. There’s nothing quite like seeing drunk cowboys sing “Just a Friend” at the top of their lungs.
Jelly Roll’s trio of country hits — “Son of a Sinner,” “Need a Favor,” “Save Me” — expectedly earned the biggest reactions and incited the loudest singalongs. But as he repeatedly told the Rodeo crowd, this show was special.
He said he “could only think of one person” when he pulled up to the stadium before launching into a cover of Toby Keith’s “Should’ve Been a Cowboy.” Keith, who played RodeoHouston nine times, died last month of stomach cancer. Jelly Roll also treated the crowd to a spirited cover of Alabama’s “If You’re Gonna Play in Texas (You Gotta Have a Fiddle in the Band).” And he urged Texas to “legalize marijuana and quit treating it like a crime.”
The night’s big surprise was an appearance by Cody Johnson, a Rodeo favorite who Jelly Roll introduced with an unrelated anecdote about how much he loves Houston rap.
“Y’all thought I was Slim Thug, didn’t you?” Johnson joked as he stepped onstage. He joined Jelly Roll for “Whiskey Bent” from this year’s “Leather” album. Huntsville native Johnson has played the rotating stage five times and last year drew more than 73,000 fans. His RodeoHouston theme song, “Welcome to the Show,” plays every night in the stadium.
Throughout the set, Jelly Roll described himself as a hero for the “underdogs,” a flawed man whose show was “a family reunion of people that are healing together.” Expect RodeoHouston to sign him up for another session.