Jelly Roll Celebrates Monumental Success As ‘Whitsitt Chapel’ Makes Historic Debut: ‘For The Underdogs’
“Man- still in disbelief..” the singer said in reaction to the news.
Jelly Roll; Photo by Andrew Wendowski
Jelly Roll is making history and earning incredible bragging rights thanks to his debut country album, Whitsitt Chapel.
Released June 2 via BMG/Stoney Creek Records, the 13-track project debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard Country Album Charts and Top 3 on the Billboard 200 all-genre chart with 90,000 album equivalents.
This places Jelly Roll at the biggest opening week for a first entry on the Top Country Albums charts since the list adopted a consumption-based methodology in 2017. Whitsitt Chapel has also racked up the strongest first week in album sales from a debut country artist release in 2023 so far, and earned the highest charting first-week release from a debut Country artist in the history of BBR Music Group.
Sharing his reaction to social media, Jelly Roll wrote, “Thank y’all! WE DID IT! Y’all came through for me like you always do.. another big step in the right direction for the underdogs … I woke up and couldn’t believe it! Thank y’all again… wow wow wow wow ….”
Additionally, a recent press release revealed that the album claimed the top spot on the Country Album chart in Canada, No. 4 on the UK’s (OCC) Official Country Artists Album Chart Top 20 and debuted at No. 15 on ARIA Top 40 Country Albums Chart in Australia.
The 3X CMT Award winner had a hand in co-writing each track on the project that was named after the church the Antioch native grew up attending. This includes his latest single “Need A Favor,” which is currently at No. 11 on the Mediabase Country Chart, No. 12 on Billboard Country Airplay Chart, and Top 3 on the Mediabase Active Rock Chart.
Within the collection, fans also get to hear the fan-favorites like “She,” and three collaborations. Brantley Gilbert and Struggle Jennings join Jelly Roll on “Behind Bars” and Yelawolf is featured on “Unlive,” while Lainey Wilson teamed up with the 38-year-old hitmaker to recreate his fan-favorite tune, “Save Me.”
Jelly Roll’s new album boasts a star-studded list of some of the best songwriters in Nashville, including Miranda Lambert, Ashley McBryde, HARDY, Jesse Frasure, Hillary Lindsey, Matt Jenkins, Jessie Jo Dillon, Austin Nivarel, Hunter Phelps, Michael Whitworth, producer Zach Crowell, and more.
“This album is about growth and gratitude happening in my life. I wanted to create a project that felt hopeful. I believe the worst feeling a person can have is feeling hopeless or worthless. This is therapeutic music. Real music for real people with real problems,” Jelly Roll shared in a statement.
The album’s release came hot on the heels of the 38-year-old’s emotional documentary produced by ABC News Studios, Jelly Roll: Save Me. With a desire to inspire others to make a change in their lives, Jelly Roll unveils his personal trials and tribulations throughout film, which debuted on Hulu on May 30.
Jelly Roll recently brought his music to a milestone stage as he made his official CMA Fest performance debut during the 50th Anniversary Year of CMA FEST. He surprised the packed-out crowd of Nissan Stadium, where he performed “Need a Favor” and “Son of a Sinner.”
Prior to performing, Jelly took a moment to speak to the crowd as he soaked in everything that has come from his journey of being incarcerated for dealing drugs to turning his life around and now making an effort to help the incarcerated youth at the juvenile detention center that shares a parking lot with Nissan Stadium.
He said, “I hope you know that you do have the ability to change your life and that you see proof of that by me standing and performing on this stage here tonight.”
The multi-genre hitmaker is currently preparing to embark on his massive 44-date headlining arena tour, dubbed the Backroad Baptism Tour.
Hosted by Josh Adam Meyers, the trek kicks off on Friday, July 28 at Bank Plus Amphitheater in Southhaven, Mississippi. The Backroad Baptism will run through Saturday, October 14, where the trek will wrap up in Tampa, Florida at MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Amphitheatre.
Ashley McBryde, Caitlynne Curtis, Chase Rice, Elle King, Merkules, Struggle Jennings, Three 6 Mafia, Yelawolf will serve as support on select dates of the tour.
In the midst of his headlining tour, Jelly Roll will serve as support on several dates of Eric Church’s The Outsiders Revival Tour. His busy performance schedule also includes upcoming festivals such as Tailgate N’ Tallboys Bloomington, Tailgate N’ Tallboys Clinton, TidalWave Music Festival, and more.
For more information including tour dates, visit www.jellyroll615.com.
Madeleine O’Connell graduated from North Central College with a bachelors degree in Journalism and Broadcast Communications before deciding to pursue her studies further at DePaul University. There, she earned her masters degree in Digital Communication & Media Arts. O’Connell served as a freelance writer for over two years while also interning with the Academy of Country Music, SiriusXM and Circle Media and assisting with Amazon Music’s Country Heat Weekly podcast. In addition to Country Now, she has been published in American Songwriter, Music Mayhem, and Holler.Country. Madeleine O’Connell is a member of the Country Music Association and the Academy of Country Music.
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