Jelly Roll Turns CMA Fest Into a Church Service, Tells 60,000 Fans to Praise God

Country and rap artist Jelly Roll made a surprise appearance at CMA Fest 2026 in Nashville on June 4, turning his set at Nissan Stadium into what many in the crowd described as a church service. He told the audience that he had prayed about the performance and felt led by God to make it about praise rather than himself.

Jelly Roll had previously said he would not perform in Nashville until 2027, making the unannounced appearance a genuine surprise. He opened by addressing his personal history with the city, noting that he was born in a nearby hospital and had spent time in a local juvenile detention facility. He told the crowd he used to listen to CMA Fest through his cell window, dreaming of one day performing at the stadium.

"I serve a God of second chances," he told the crowd. "That little boy is screaming inside of me right now as I look out at all of you."

He performed "Hard Fought Hallelujah," "Son of a Sinner," "Need a Favor," and "Save Me," pausing between songs to speak about faith, redemption, and breaking generational curses. At one point he asked the crowd, "Can we go to church right now please?" He closed by saying, "I came here to praise God and raise a little hell."

Jelly Roll has spoken openly about his Christian faith in multiple interviews. He has credited his attendance at Whitsitt Chapel Baptist Church in Nashville as a turning point in his life, and the church inspired the title of his 2023 studio album. His collaboration with gospel artist Brandon Lake on "Hard Fought Hallelujah" has spent significant time at the top of Billboard's Hot Christian Songs chart.

He also shared personal milestones during the set, including having lost over 275 pounds and the fact that his daughter was the first in his family to graduate from high school and attend college. He was joined on stage by singer-songwriter Aloe Blacc for a rendition of "Wake Me Up."