Get ready for a performance that will hit you right in the feels! Jelly Roll is a master of pouring his heart out on stage, and his duet of “Save Me” with Lainey Wilson at the 58th Academy of Country Music Awards was nothing short of magical. From the very first note, it was clear—this was going to be a performance to remember.
Jelly Roll already delivers a knockout with his raw and emotional voice, but when Lainey Wilson joined in, the song reached a whole new level. Her aching vocals blended beautifully with his, and when they sang together in the second half, it became pure magic. The way Jelly Roll opens up about his struggles in his lyrics struck a chord with millions. In fact, 12 million people tuned in to watch this heart-wrenching performance.
Jelly Roll has never been afraid to bare his soul, and his honesty encouraged fans to share their own personal battles in the comments. The performance deeply moved viewers, with some saying things like, “I listen to this song every day. I’m not religious or into country music, but if this song doesn’t move you, you have no soul,” and “Every time Lainey starts singing, I’m on the verge of tears. No other song does this to me.”
There’s something about Jelly Roll’s live performances that keeps people coming back for more. He brings a level of raw emotion that few other artists can match. Another unforgettable moment came during the 2024 finale of The Voice, where he shook the stage with a powerhouse performance of “I Am Not OK.”
Jelly Roll originally released “Save Me” on June 25, 2020, as part of his seventh album, Self Medicated. Then, on May 12, 2023, he re-released it as a duet with Lainey Wilson for his ninth studio album, Whitsitt Chapel. He co-wrote the song with Grant Sims and David Ray, with Ray also handling production.
For those who love the story behind the music, here’s an interesting fact: Jelly Roll once told Howard Stern that he was inspired by Bette Midler’s classic song “The Rose” when writing “Save Me.” In an interview with Apple Music, he also revealed that he wrote it during a very dark time in his life—right in the middle of the pandemic while grieving the loss of his father, who had passed away the year before.
This song isn’t just a hit; it’s a deeply personal piece of art that has connected with millions. And with performances like the one at the ACM Awards, Jelly Roll continues to prove that he’s one of the most powerful voices in country music today.
