Alexandra Kay Is Living the Dream, Soaking Up Every Moment On Jelly Roll’s Arena Tour
“I’m just trying to take it in every single day Before I know it, it’s going to be over,” Kay shared.
Alexandra Kay and Jelly Roll; Photo by Mat Hayward/Getty Images for Jelly Roll
Alexandra Kay is living her wildest dreams on tour with Jelly Roll. The independent singer/songwriter received the incredible opportunity to perform in arenas for the first time in her career, all thanks to Jelly Roll’s invitation to join him on his tour.
Now, with several shows under her belt, the Illinois native admits she is soaking up every moment on the road, and checking items off her bucket list as the tour goes on.
Recently, the Beautifully Broken Tour made a stop at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, during the show, Kay reflected on all of the moments that led her to where she’s at now.
“I used to live here. I lived in Burbank for a year, and I was shooting a TV show on Netflix called West Side. And at that time I had just gotten signed to my second record deal, and then shortly after the show didn’t get picked up for a second season and I lost my record deal,” she explained from the stage. “And for some reason, when I turned around and went back home to Southern Illinois and eventually to Nashville, I felt like a failure.”
After admitting a feeling of defeat, Alexandra Kay shared a revelation that she had earlier in the day.
“Today I was standing in the middle of LA Live staring at Crypto Arena. And it’s so insane to think that God puts you in these situations and you think it’s the end of your road, but it’s just a learning experience. And I was supposed to go through losing two record deals, a TV show that never worked out, not getting a chair to turn on The Voice. All of the times I came to LA and it didn’t work out, were supposed to lead me right here because tonight it’s working out baby,” she said.
As the tour continues, Kay admitted she is “just trying to take it in every single day” because “before I know it, it’s going to be over.”
“I wouldn’t change anything that’s ever happened to me in my life because I don’t know that if I wouldn’t have gone through everything I did at such a young age that I would’ve ever even fallen into songwriting,” she continued, “And I don’t think if I would have fallen into songwriting in such a dramatic and helpless way, that I would’ve developed the attachment that I did to this, which then fueled the fire and the need to do this for a living, which is what drove me to never take no for an answer and to never stop even when something didn’t go the way I planned it to go. I think that that’s what makes me so grateful and so present in these moments.”
Kay has experienced several highlights on the tour, including a birthday celebration, where Jelly Roll sang Happy Birthday to her on stage along with thousands of fans from the audience. They even surprised her with a cake.
“What do you even wish for? This is the best thing you could ever even do on your birthday,” she shouted from the stage.
Prior to the tour kick-off, Alexandra Kay reflected on the ups and downs of her career and shared what it means to embark on an arena tour as a completely independent artist.
“‘I’m staying independent until the right opportunity comes long.’ That has always been the plan since my last label dropped me in 2019. It’s been the hardest thing I’ve ever done taking this journey on with a team of 3 for the last 5 years,” she stated. “I’ve had to watch others walk the carpets, hit country radio, win the awards, get the collabs and opportunities that indy artists aren’t even considered for. I wouldn’t change a thing.. when I stand up on my first arena stage to open for @JellyRoll615 in a week as an independent artist I can do it with pride knowing I sacrificed everything to have that opportunity and that I’m ready for it. I’m so grateful for every up and every down. Love you guys. Thanks to everyone who has ever believed in me.”
So far, Jelly Roll’s Beautifully Broken Tour has sold over 550,000 tickets and is his biggest headlining tour to date. Alexandra Kay is featured on select dates of the tour, which runs through November 23.
JELLY ROLL THE BEAUTIFULLY BROKEN 2024 TOUR DATES:
9/17/2024 – Orlando, FL – Kia Center #
9/19/2024 – Charleston, SC – North Charleston Coliseum #
9/20/2024 – Raleigh, NC – PNC Arena #
9/21/2024 – Washington, DC – Capital One Arena #
9/24/2024 – Albany, NY – MVP Arena #
9/26/2024 – Boston, MA – TD Garden #
9/27/2024 – New York, NY – Madison Square Garden #
9/28/2024 – Belmont Park, NY – UBS Arena #
9/29/2024 – Newark, NJ – Prudential Center #
10/1/2024 – State College, PA – Bryce Jordan Center #
10/2/2024 – Philadelphia, PA – Wells Fargo Center #
10/5/2024 – Pittsburgh, PA – PPG Paints Arena #
10/6/2024 – Buffalo, NY – KeyBank Center #
10/9/2024 – Columbus, OH – Nationwide Arena #
10/11/2024 – Chicago, IL – United Center #
10/12/2024 – Louisville, KY – KFC Yum! Center #
10/15/2024 – Wichita, KS – INTRUST Bank Arena #
10/16/2024 – Springfield, MO – Great Southern Bank Arena #
10/18/2024 – Tulsa, OK – BOK Center #
10/20/2024 – Bossier City, LA – Brookshire Grocery Arena #
10/22/2024 – Little Rock, AR – Simmons Bank Arena #
10/23/2024 – St Louis, MO – Enterprise Center #
10/25/2024 – Knoxville, TN – Thompson-Boling Arena at Food City Center #
10/26/2024 – Atlanta, GA – State Farm Arena #
10/27/2024 – Charlotte, NC – Spectrum Center #
10/30/2024 – Charlottesville, VA – John Paul Jones Arena *
11/1/2024 – Charleston, WV – Charleston Coliseum *
11/4/2024 – Cincinnati, OH – Heritage Bank Center *
11/6/2024 – Detroit, MI – Little Caesars Arena *
11/7/2024 – Indianapolis, IN – Gainbridge Fieldhouse *
11/8/2024 – Lexington, KY – Rupp Arena *
11/10/2024 – Evansville, IN – Ford Center *
11/12/2024 – Omaha, NE – CHI Health Center Arena *
11/13/2024 – Kansas City, MO – T-Mobile Center *
11/14/2024 – Oklahoma City, OK – Paycom Center ^
11/17/2024 – Houston, TX – Toyota Center *
11/18/2024 – Corpus Christi, TX – American Bank Center *
11/19/2024 – Austin, TX – Moody Center *
11/21/2024 – Birmingham, AL – Legacy Arena at the BJCC *
11/22/2024 – Columbia, SC – Colonial Life Arena *
11/23/2024 – Jacksonville, FL – Vystar Veterans Memorial Arena *
#Warren Zeiders & Alexandra Kay
*ERNEST, Shaboozey & Allie Colleen
^ERNEST & Allie Colleen
Lauren Jo Black, a University of Central Florida graduate, has immersed herself in the world of country music for over 15 years. In 2008, she co-founded CountryMusicIsLove, eventually selling it to a major record label in 2015. Following the rebranding of the website to Sounds Like Nashville, Black served as Editor-in-Chief for two and a half years. Currently, she assumes the role of Editor-in-Chief at Country Now and oversees Country Now’s content and digital footprint. Her extensive experience also encompasses her previous role as a Country Music Expert Writer for Answers.com and her work being featured on Forbes.com. She’s been spotlighted among Country Aircheck’s Women of Influence and received the 2012 Rising Star Award from the University of Central Florida. Black also spent time in front of the camera as host of Country Now Live, which brought live music directly to fans in 2021 when the majority of concerts were halted due to the pandemic. During this time, she hosted 24 weeks of live concerts via Country Now Live on Twitch with special guests such as Lady A, Dierks Bentley, Jordan Davis, Brett Young, and Jon Pardi. Over the course of her career, she has had the privilege of conducting interviews with some of the industry’s most prominent stars, including Reba McEntire, Blake Shelton, Luke Combs, Carrie Underwood, Luke Bryan, Miranda Lambert, Lainey Wilson, and many others. Lauren Jo Black is a longtime member of the Country Music Association and the Academy of Country Music.
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