Jelly Roll And Bunnie’s ‘True American Love Story’

Jelly Roll took a moment to pay tribute to his wife, Bunnie XO, on Instagram and quoted Cody Johnson's new song "The Painter," which Cody recorded for his new Leather album as a tribute to his wife, Brandi.

Jelly posted a photo of himself and Bunnie on the CMA Red Carpet from last week (11/8) and wrote, "I can't remember life before she came into the picture —— she took chances with every wall I build she saw a canvas" - Cody Johnson."

He added, "We went from low-level drug dealing and an escort to walking red carpets and winning awards. A true American love story #TrueRomance @taylorehill."

Many of Jelly's over two million Instagram followers reacted to the sweet post. One fan wrote, "You both are amazing humans! So full of Love and Compassion for humanity. You ROCK ALWAYS!!" Another fan commented, "You both are great. Dreams can come true. Thank you, Jelly. I will never give up on my goals." One more fan said, "That rearview mirror also lets you see who you have become."

See that post here.

Jelly has been "living in the moment" after setting his phone aside a few weeks ago to concentrate on life and his family. He even stayed away from his phone during last week's CMA Awards to live in the moment.

I asked him how he was taking care of himself lately backstage after he won the CMA's New Artist of the Year award. He told me, "Oh dude, I'm doing better than I have ever done. I'm eating better, losing weight, drinking water, and not drinking as much, but when I drink, I still drink a lot. Tonight (11/8) will be one of those nights."

He continued, "I'm feeling great, and you know, the cool thing is I was telling my wife just a second ago I haven't touched my phone tonight at all. I have lived this moment, dude. I got to sit next to Zac Brown and my wife and Lainey Wilson and Post Malone. I soaked it all in. I don't know what the phone said; I'm hearing good things. I hope it's true."

Jelly Roll is on fire these days, having just enjoyed his second number-one song on country radio, "Need A Favor." He is currently on his headling tour, "Backroad Baptism." It is his "moment" in country music, and he's been enjoying every second of it, as you can clearly see on his social media.

He recently revealed that during his first performance at CMA Fest at Nissan Stadium in June, which was televised as a TV special on ABC, he was "trembling."

Jelly posted a video clip of the performance on his Instagram. He wrote in a lengthy caption, "If you listen closely, you can hear my voice shaking the first half of the song— I was trembling; I was so nervous. Sixty-five thousand people in my hometown stadium- the same stadium my father took me to every Sunday for Titans games. The same stadium I've been taking my daughter to since she was a baby."

He continued, "Thank you, CMA fest, for letting me be a part of your 50th anniversary - I have literally been going to 'Fan Fair' since I was a child. This night was unbelievable... to hear 65k people [sing] 'and God, I need a Favor' in unison like one voice. Speaking of 'NEED A FAVOR,' I can officially say it is the #1 song on Country Radio right now. There is no greater achievement in this town than being #1 in country radio. The fact this is my 2nd number one at Country Radio this year makes it almost unbelievable to me, to be honest - and this same song also held 3 weeks at number 1 on Rock radio."

Jelly concluded, "Just when I thought things couldn't get any wilder, y'all continue to amaze me. Thank y'all - this has been an unreal year."

We celebrate all things Jelly today as he shines in the country music spotlight. Let's take a look at the four songs that brought him to this place in music.

Jelly first released this song in June of 2020. At the time, he said of the song's video, "This one is a bit of a curveball for me. I don't usually do these stripped-down acoustic videos, but writing this song made me feel something. I felt y'all needed some insight into the more vulnerable side of the music business." The song was later re-recorded as a duet with Lainey Wilson.

This is Jelly Roll's first single released to the country music format. It is also his first number-one song on country radio. The song is about Jelly Roll's personal life as a traveling musician and his personal struggles with drug addiction. Jelly said that he was intoxicated while recording the vocal track.

Jelly's second number-one song on country radio. It centers on a man on the verge of losing the love of his life and praying for God to do him a favor, admitting he does not deserve it, and hoping to repent for his past actions.

An official remix of the song with Lainey Wilson was released on May 12, 2023, as the second single from Jelly's album Whitsitt Chapel. Jelly and Lainey performed it together at the 58th Academy of Country Music Awards and later at the finale of season 21 of "American Idol."