The country star was joined by a full backing band for his debut performance on the show.

Jelly Roll offered up a surging, open-hearted performance of his song “Halfway to Hell” during his Tuesday night (Oct. 3) performance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.

Like many of the other songs on his album Whitsitt Chapel (released on BBR Music Group), Jelly Roll sings of the struggle between harmful vices and being his best self–or as he sings on “Halfway to Hell,” it’s the struggle between “a bottle and a Bible.”

“I’m a rolling stone disciple with a cross across my face,” he sang passionately, pointing to his signature cross tattooed on his cheek.

On social media, Jelly Roll offered his gratitude for the opportunity to perform, saying, “What an incredible experience this was–thank you Jimmy Fallon for having me–this was unreal.”

Over the past year, Jelly Roll has notched two No. 1 Country Airplay hits, with “Son of a Sinner” and “Need a Favor.” He was also Billboard‘s cover star for its 2023 Country Power Players issue, and performed and spoke during Billboard‘s inaugural Billboard Country Live in Concert event in Nashville earlier this year.

He has earned armfuls of awards wins and nominations from the CMT Music Awards, the upcoming CMA Awards and the inaugural People’s Choice Country Awards. Jelly Roll has five nominations leading up to the CMA Music Awards, including musical event of the year, single of the year, music video of the year, and new artist of the year and male vocalist of the year.

In addition to his own music, Jelly Roll has been a king of collaborations of late, teaming with Lainey Wilson for “Save Me,” but also joining Dustin Lynch on “Chevrolet,” a song from Lynch’s new album. Jelly Roll also joins Craig Morgan on a version of “Almost Home” on Morgan’s upcoming album. His collaboration with Jessie Murph, “Wild Ones,” will release Oct. 6.

See Jelly Roll’s performance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon below.

Taylor Swift believes Nashville has a music scene that stands apart from anywhere else.

The 36 year old singer moved to Nashville, Tennessee, when she was young to chase her dream of becoming a country music star. After being inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame on Monday (26.10.26), Taylor took the opportunity to recognise the city and the talented writers who have helped shape its music scene.

In her acceptance speech, Taylor said: "I believe you really get to master a craft by doing it again and again. That's exactly what the incredible songwriters in this wonderful town do every day."

Taylor also spoke about what makes Nashville such a special place for musicians.

The award winning singer, who ranks among the best selling music artists of all time, said: "You won't find another music community quite like this one. Trust me, I've checked them all."

Taylor also shared how being part of Nashville's songwriting scene had taught her valuable lessons about life and working with others.

She joked: "I've learned to be flexible when your co writer turns up with a hangover, or when they need to spend ages talking about their divorce before we can even get started on a song."

Taylor previously spoke about how Faith Hill and Shania Twain inspired her decision to move to Nashville.

Speaking to Time magazine, the singer said: "I couldn't get enough of watching TV biographies about Faith Hill and Shania Twain, and I realised they had both moved to Nashville to get their careers started. After that, I kept asking, pleading and begging my parents to take me there.

"When I was 11, my mum took my brother and me to Nashville during spring break, and we spent the trip driving around Music Row. She stayed in the car while I rushed into record companies one after another, giving my demo CD to the receptionists. I found it fascinating that so many major record labels were gathered along a single street, often inside little buildings and old houses.

"What really stayed with me was how welcoming people were to newcomers and complete strangers like us. We started visiting Nashville more often, and when I was 13, I received an offer for a development deal from a major record label. That was when my parents finally agreed to leave Pennsylvania and move with me."

 
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