Multi-Grammy Award winner Jelly Roll has officially joined the Grand Ole Opry family, with close friend and fellow Opry member Lainey Wilson inducting him.

Multi-Grammy Award winner Jelly Roll has officially joined the Grand Ole Opry family, with close friend and fellow Opry member Lainey Wilson inducting him.

Jelly Roll's friend and mentor, Opry member Craig Morgan, as well as friends Leanne Morgan and ERNEST also joined him in the Opry induction celebration earlier this week.

Additionally, in a full circle moment, Sheriff Daron Hall and Davidson County Juvenile Correctional Professional Yolanda Hockett were in attendance and were thanked from the stage by Jelly for their belief and guidance since he encountered both in his time serving at the juvenile center, as well as members from the Judge Dinkins Educational Center, who Jelly currently works with to support and empower underserved youth. He also thanked his family including his Mom who was sitting in the front row, marking the first time she had seen him perform at the Opry.

Jelly Roll, wearing a cross that belonged to Johnny Cash that was given to him by Cash's son John Carter Cash, kicked off his induction night with high-powered performances of his hits "Liar," "Need A Favor," "I Am Not Okay," "Hard Fought Hallelujah," and "Son Of A Sinner" joined by his friend ERNEST. It was followed by an emotional video of his history with the Opry.

"There are some people in this business who are great singers, some people who are great songwriters and storytellers, and every once in a while somebody comes along who is something even bigger than that," said Wilson. "They are a voice for people who feel like they don't have one. And that's exactly who Jelly Roll is. Your love for Jesus Christ radiates from you, and I'm so proud of you."

"Country music has always been about telling stories, the good, the bad, the messy; it's about redemption, and tonight we are welcoming a man who has never been afraid to tell the truth about his life," she continued. "He turned pain into purpose, mistakes into music, and somehow managed to make millions of people feel like they are a little less alone. I'm so proud to call you my friend. Jelly Roll, because of your heart, your story, and the way you have used your voice to lift everybody else up, it is my honor to welcome you into the Grand Ole Opry family."

An emotional Jelly Roll received his Opry member award saying, "To take a convicted felon from Music City who found country music because I'm from Nashville, and you take that kid who's been in the local juvenile and local county jail, and you bring him here and give him Grammys, awards, and platinum plaques, and then you make him a member of the most prestigious group of the Grand Ole Opry."

"Every word of that sounded like I'm telling you a lot about myself, but that is a story only God could be the author of. Some stories only God can write. This is truly a God story," he added. "I talk a lot more about him now because I'm getting a lot closer to him and I recognize that. I don't deserve this, I don't deserve the grace God gave me, but I think that's the best part, right? And yet he gives it all the time."

The two friends closed the show with a performance of their duet "Save Me."

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Eight time Grammy Award winning singer and songwriter Kacey Musgraves has announced that her new album, Middle of Nowhere, is set to arrive on May 1.

Eight time Grammy Award winning singer and songwriter Kacey Musgraves has announced that her new album, Middle of Nowhere, is set to arrive on May 1.

Alongside the announcement, Musgraves released the album's first single, "Dry Spell." Boldly hilarious and self-aware, the track blazes with sharp wit while delivering tight turns of phrase. Watch the "Dry Spell" video co-directed by Musgraves and Hannah Lux Davis below.

Middle of Nowhere is Musgraves' sixth studio album, produced by Kacey alongside longtime collaborators Daniel Tashian and Ian Fitchuk. A literal sign in Musgraves' tiny, unincorporated, no-stoplight hometown of Golden, Texas, population under 300, that reads "Golden, TX: Somewhere in the Middle of Nowhere" sparked the idea for the title track and symbolic throughline of the album, speaking to something deeper and more nuanced.

The album is described as a sonic love letter to the musical borders of Country, echoing influence from adjacent genres such as bluegrass, pop, and even bits of Norteño and Zydeco.

Middle of Nowhere features collaborations with Willie Nelson, Miranda Lambert, Billy Strings, and Gregory Alan Isakov.

"The bulk of this record was made during the longest single period of my life, and I found that for the first time, it actually felt incredible being alone and existing in a space not defined by anyone else", says Musgraves. "I became fascinated with the concept of liminal space, both geographical and emotional. We don't linger in these transitional, empty spaces long enough and rush to define where or whatever is next."

"I became so at ease with being in the 'middle of nowhere' in many senses and sitting in the un-comfort of the undefined," she adds. "I had a lot of time for creative ambling and leaning into myself in different ways; horses, humor, writing with my early collaborators again, and living out my very simple, inspired life between Texas, Tennessee, and Mexico."

Middle of Nowhere Tracklist:

1.Middle of Nowhere 2.Dry Spell 3.Back on the Wagon 4.I Believe in Ghosts 5.Abilene 6.Coyote feat. Gregory Alan Isakov 7.Loneliest Girl 8.Everybody Wants To Be a Cowboy feat. Billy Strings 9.Horses and Divorces feat. Miranda Lambert 10.Uncertain, Texas feat. Willie Nelson 11.Rhinestoned 12.Mexico Honey 13.Hell on Me

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Country icon Kenny Chesney is set to receive the inaugural Ocean Legacy Award at the Tortuga Music Festival.

Country icon Kenny Chesney is set to receive the inaugural Ocean Legacy Award at the Tortuga Music Festival.

The three-day Tortuga Music Festival will kick off at Fort Lauderdale Beach in Florida on April 10.

Rock the Ocean honors an artist who has long championed a deep love for the ocean and the coastal communities with the Ocean Legacy Award.

Chesney is also among the lineup of performers at the Tortuga Music Festival.

Speaking about his upcoming sixth appearance as a performer at the festival, Chesney said, "To me, when people can come together to learn about the ocean, how to treat it, and have a great time with their friends, that's a total win. Even though we're not touring this year, I do love playing on that beach, seeing all those boats in the water and fans having the best time on that beach."

"Kenny's lifestyle and music celebrate everything people love about the ocean-the adventure, the energy, the deep connection we feel when we're near the water," says Rock The Ocean and Tortuga Festival Founder, Chris Stacey. "We've had a longstanding relationship with Kenny, who headlined the first Tortuga Festival in 2013, and returned more than any artist. We're proud to work with such a legendary artist who authentically embodies Rock The Ocean's mission-a love for the ocean and a commitment to protecting it."

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