Jelly Roll Invited to Become Grand Ole Opry Member: ‘It Don’t Get No Bigger in Country Music’

Jelly Roll has been steadily piling up accolades over the past few years, and he just added a new honor. On Wednesday (Dec. 10) episode of The Joe Rogan Experience, Rogan played a video for the country star, one in which Grand Ole Opry member Craig Morgan surprised the musician by inviting him to become an official member of the Grand Ole Opry.

In the video, Morgan is sitting in the pews of the Grand Ole Opry, praising Jelly Roll’s music and impact. Near the end, he says, “And who would have ever dreamed back then that I’d be back at the Opry House today, to say Jelly Roll, you’re officially invited to become a member of the Grand Ole Opry. It’s an honor to say welcome to the family, brother.”

Before Morgan had even finished speaking on the video, Jelly Roll put his face into his hands, crying as the realization set in that he will soon become a Grand Ole Opry member. With tears in his eyes, he hugged Rogan before sitting back down at the microphone. “It don’t get no bigger in country music, bubba. It’s as big as it gets,” Jelly Roll said.

Wiping away tears, he added, “Dude, I used to buy tickets to go there.” He then recalled going to the Opry to see Morgan perform years ago.

“I Googled Craig Morgan … I heard ‘Almost Home’ in jail … it’s the most tear-jerking song about homelessness … I came home and the song meant so much. It was like, Craig Morgan Live — Grand Ole Opry House. I could barely afford tickets, I think I talked some girl into buying them for me,” he shared on the podcast. “I went and sat by myself. I had an ankle bracelet on. The show went off at 9 and I had to be home at 9, so I was like, ‘If he’s the last one, I’m screwed.’ He comes out and sings ‘Almost Home.’ I’m not bulls—ting, I’d maybe cried 10 times in my life at that point. I cried. I cried. I cried like I’m crying here now … I can’t believe they made me a member of the Opry. I want to make people feel the way he makes me feel. That’s what I want to do.”

“I never thought I’d be allowed to play the Grand Ole Opry, and to be a member of it,” he added. Jelly Roll also recalled seeing Luke Combs’ Opry invitation: “I’ll never forget watching Luke Combs when they asked him to be a member, and like, I think it’s the first time I’ve ever seen Luke emotional, know you?”

Jelly Roll, who has earned eight No. 1 Billboard Country Airplay chart hits, earned his first No. 1 Billboard 200 debut last year with his project Beautifully Broken.

Watch Jelly Roll’s full episode of The Joe Rogan Experience below: