Jelly Roll Chokes Back Tears While Dedicating Emotional Performance Of ‘My List’ To Toby Keith’s Family
“LEGENDS NEVER DIE.” – Jelly Roll
Jelly Roll performs onstage at Bridgestone Arena on July 29, 2024 in Nashville, Tennessee; Photo by: Tibrina Hobson/Getty Images for Universal Music Group
Jelly Roll delivered an emotional performance of Toby Keith’s 2002 hit, “My List,” during Toby Keith: American Icon, which aired on NBC on Wednesday evening (Aug. 28).
As he stepped up to the mic, the superstar was noticeably nervous and was even seen shaking, seemingly frazzled over the opportunity to honor one of his heroes in front of a sold-out Bridgestone Arena audience.
“I am dedicating this to Tricia, Shelley, Krystal, Stelen, and Toby’s entire family,” the “I Am Not Okay” singer shared as the Keith family watched on from the side of the stage.
Jelly Roll then took the opportunity to praise Toby Keith and acknowledge all the ways Keith has inspired him throughout his life and career.
“Toby inspired me to be a better American, a better human, a better songwriter, and with songs like this, most importantly, he inspired me to be a better father,” he said.
The band began to play and Jelly Roll powered through his nerves to deliver a performance of “My List,” a song written by Tim James and Rand Bishop that is all about taking control of your life by prioritizing what truly matters.
“Go for a walk, say a little prayer/ Take a deep breath of mountain air/ Put on my glove and play some catch/ It’s time that I make time for that/ Wade the shore and cast a line/ Look up an old lost friend of mine/ Sit on the porch and give my girl a kiss/ Start livin’, that’s the next thing on my list,” goes the chorus.
As Jelly Roll sang the lyrics, photos of Toby and his family were displayed on the screen behind him, adding to the emotions of the moment.
Following the show, Jelly Roll admitted, “I was choking back tears the whole time knowing that Toby’s family was watching me. You can see it in my eyes. LEGENDS NEVER DIE.”
Jelly Roll was just one of the country superstars who dropped everything to honor the late Toby Keith. The two-hour special also included performances and special appearances from Trace Adkins, Priscilla Block, Luke Bryan, Eric Church, Jordan Davis, Scotty Emerick, Brett Favre, Brantley Gilbert, Riley Green, HARDY, Tyler Hubbard, Jamey Johnson, Krystal Keith, Ella Langley, Mac McAnally, Ashley McBryde, Parker McCollum, Leanne Morgan, Darius Rucker, Carrie Underwood, Clay Walker, and Lainey Wilson.
In addition to an array of musical performances spotlighting Keith’s incredible music and songwriter, Keith’s compassion and philanthropy were also highlighted throughout the special as the event supported Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt and The Toby Keith Foundation’s OK Kids Korral. Families from both organizations appeared to share their stories of receiving vital care and support during their most challenging times.
Toby Keith: American Icon aired on Wednesday, August 28 at 9 pm ET/PT on NBC. The show will be available to stream the following day on Peacock.
Country music legend Toby Keith passed away on February 5, 2024, following a battle with stomach cancer. Throughout his career, he earned an impressive 32 No.1 singles and sold a whopping 40 million albums.
It’s no surprise that he is regarded as one of country music’s biggest hitmakers after earning a chart-topping hit every year for 20 consecutive years, including “How Do You Like Me Now?!,” “Courtesy of the Red, White, & Blue (The Angry American),” “I Love This Bar,” “Beer For My Horses,” and “As Good As I Once Was.”
He is a recipient of the National Medal of Arts, he’s been inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame (following his induction into the all-genre Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2015), and has been honored with the Academy of Country Music’s esteemed Merle Haggard Spirit Award.
Throughout his career, the Oklahoma native received the BMI Icon Award as well as the BMI Country Songwriter of the Year award three times, and his hit single “As Good As I Once Was” was awarded BMI’s Country Song of the Year in 2006.
Toby Keith’s music has garnered more than 10 billion streams and 100 million terrestrial radio spins to date.
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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