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 is a longtime country music journalist, editor, host, and media personality whose work has helped shape the conversation around country music for nearly two decades. As the current Editor-in-Chief of Country Now, she has become one of the genre’s most respected voices, interviewing hundreds of country music’s biggest stars, including Dolly Parton, Garth Brooks, Reba McEntire, Shania Twain, Randy Travis, Luke Bryan, Carrie Underwood, Blake Shelton, Luke Combs, and countless others. Over the course of her career, Black’s written work and interviews have reached billions of country music fans worldwide. A 2009 graduate of the University of Central Florida, Black began her career by founding Country Music Is Love, one of country music’s earliest independent digital publications, which she later sold to a major record label in 2015 before it was rebranded as Sounds Like Nashville. She then served as the publication’s Editor-in-Chief for more than two years. Her work has also appeared in Forbes, and she previously served as the Country Music Expert for Answers.com. Widely recognized for her expertise, Black has appeared as a featured guest on The Bobby Bones Show, BobbyCast, and Scripps News Morning Rush, providing insight on country music’s biggest moments. She has also hosted Country Now Live, a concert series featuring performances from artists including Lady A, Dierks Bentley, Riley Green, Jordan Davis, Dustin Lynch, Gabby Barrett, Brett Young, Jon Pardi, Kip Moore, Chris Young, and more. The series has welcomed thousands of fans in person while reaching millions more online. In addition, she hosted Connect With Country Now, a weekly interview series featuring conversations with rising country stars. Throughout her career, Black has earned a reputation for discovering and championing artists long before they become household names. She has covered Luke Bryan since the early days of his career, beginning when he was writing songs for other artists, including Billy Currington’s No. 1 hit “Good Directions,” before stepping into the spotlight with his debut single, “All My Friends Say” and eventually becoming one of biggest names in music. She also gave Megan Moroney her first opportunity to walk a major red carpet as Country Now’s official guest correspondent at the 2022 CMA Awards. An interview she conducted in 2018 for Forbes.com with Luke Combs that inspired his multi-week No. 1 hit, “Doin’ This.” She has also hosted stages at CMA Fest, moderated an industry panel at Country Radio Seminar, and helped lead important conversations about the evolving landscape of country music media. Beyond journalism, Black has also used her platform to support charitable causes and highlight organizations making an impact. Through Country Now Live, she has helped raise awareness and support for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, while also advocating for animal rescue through Country Now’s Pupdate series, spotlighting organizations including MuttNation Foundation, Wags & Walks, and Proverbs 12:10 Animal Rescue. Black has been recognized as one of Country Aircheck’s Women of Influence and received the 2012 Rising Star Award from the University of Central Florida. She is a longtime member of both the Country Music Association (CMA) and the Academy of Country Music (ACM). After nearly 20 years covering country music, Lauren Jo Black has spent her career telling the stories behind the artists, songs, and moments that have shaped the genre. Her first-ever book, Country Music Forever: An A-to-Z Celebration of Icons, Songs and Stories, brings that same passion and firsthand knowledge to the page, celebrating not only the legendary artists and timeless songs that have become the soundtrack to generations of fans, but also the places, traditions, and cultural moments that have made country music one of the most beloved genres around the world.
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