"Everybody put your hands up" started echoing through Nissan Stadium as an artist took the main stage following Zach John King's platform-stage debut.
When cameras zoomed in on a singer wearing a backward Tennessee Titans cap, the crowd erupted. It was Jelly Roll.
The Nashville star looked noticeably fitter than the last time many fans saw him on the CMA Fest stage, the latest milestone in a health journey that has seen him lose more than 275 pounds through diet, exercise and lifestyle changes.
"Everybody put your hands up," he sang, filling every inch of Nissan Stadium with his booming voice.
"Nashville, Tennessee, CMA Fest night one, now this is normally the part of the show where I introduce myself. I tell you what my name is, I tell you want I plan on doing the next 30 minutes, but I prayed about it backstage and God said, 'Son do you think tonight has anything to do about you?'"
Before launching into "Hard Fought Hallelujah," he beamed, "Can we go to church right now please?" The crowd roared. Many fans raised their hands in worship.
He continued with a sermon and "Thank you, Lord," before letting out a guttural "Hallelujah" and setting his intention for the night: "I came here to praise God and raise a little hell."
Is Jelly Roll a Christian?
Jelly Roll arguably has the most inspiring arc in country music. An ex-con turned country singer, the heart of Roll's transition is religion. His catalog extensively features religious songs, including "Son of a Sinner," "Hard Fought Hallelujah," "Save Me," "Halfway to Hell" and many more.
"First of all, Jesus, I hear you and I am listening, Lord. I am listening, Lord!" he said during his 2026 Grammys acceptance speech earlier this year.
"Second of all, I want to thank my beautiful wife. I would've never changed my life without you. I would've ended up dead or in jail. I would've killed myself if it wasn't for you and Jesus."
Jelly Roll has said he attended Whitsitt Chapel Baptist Church in Nashville, the church that inspired the title of his 2023 studio album.
What else did Jelly Roll say about religion during his surprise Nissan Stadium appearance?
Following several songs, Jelly Roll took a moment to highlight the significance of this particular performance, bringing up his dark past in relation to the present.
"This is a hometown show for me," Jelly Roll said, describing how he was born in a nearby hospital and spent time in a nearby correctional facility. "When I was a kid I spent almost three years of my life locked up every single day, I would listen to CMA Fest through my cell window."
"I serve a God of second chances...25 years later, that little boy is screaming inside of me right now as I look out at 60,000 people at CMA Fest right now."
As the set continued, Jelly Roll continued to mention religion as his inspiration through both his anecdotes and songs.
"I did nothing to deserve the grace I got, so I'm telling you right now that you can be the person to break the generational curse in your bloodline," he added.
"There's no place like home, Baby," Jelly Roll concluded before breaking into his final song, "Save Me."
Peter Burditt covers trending news and service journalism for The Tennessean. Contact him at [email protected]
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: CMA Fest: Jelly Roll surprises and takes Nissan Stadium fans to church
Reporting by Peter Burditt, Nashville Tennessean / Nashville Tennessean
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect