In case you missed it...
Jelly Roll's "Backroad Baptism" Tour has been crisscrossing the country, but he's also starting another kind of tour: call it the "Prison Visit" tour. Jelly has been more than open about his criminal past - addicted, incarcerated, he's fought all the way back to become a country superstar. But along the way he hasn't forgotten what it was like to be inside. His food truck hires former inmates, and now he's added prison visits to his tour itinerary. He recently paid a surprise visit to inmates in Virginia, and now he's surprised a group of prisoners behind bars in Omaha, Nebraska. JR visited with about 50 inmates from the work release and re-entry assistance programs at Douglas County Correctional Facility. He spoke about his own personal struggles involving his incarceration and addiction, as well as performing a few of his hits for the inmates. He urged them to find something positive that they can focus on and have it be something that will keep them on a good path, because that is how he turned himself around. He became obsessed with music over destructive things. "There’s something out there that can change your life,” he said, adding, "Please take advantage of having people who care." He ended with a warning of sorts: "I'm gonna come back here every time I come here, and if I see you, I’ll be mad at you." While prison visits haven't become an official feature of his tour, Jelly has already been speaking with a facility in Flint, Michigan about visiting with them when he comes through their area.
Country artist Drake White is hosting a charity concert at the Ryman today. His "Benefit For The Brain" show will raise money for groups that support mental health and brain health. White suffered a stroke onstage in 2019, at age 35, and had to learn how to do most everything again, even walk. Riley Green, Randy Houser, and Jamey Johnson are among the guests slated to appear at the show.