JELLY ROLL AND LAINEY WILSON WIN BIG AT 2024 IHEARTRADIO MUSIC AWARDS

Next - Jelly Roll & Lainey Wilson Return to the CMT Music Awards Stage this Sunday, April 7th, Airing on CBS at 8/7c

3X CMT Music Awards Nominees Jelly Roll and Lainey Wilson Are Both Performing and Up for the Esteemed Video of the Year Award

Multi-genre phenomenon Jelly Roll and GRAMMY winner Lainey Wilsoncontinue to see their effervescent stars rise, as they both take home wins at the 2024 iHeartRadio Music Awards last night. Prior to Jelly and Wilson’s powerfully haunting performance of #1 single “Save Me” that evoked an impassioned standing ovation from the crowd, Shinedown announced Jelly Roll had won both Best New Artist (Country) and Best New Artist (Pop), continuing his truly transformative journey to mainstream super-stardom. Earlier in the show, it was announced, Wilson had won Country Song of the Year for her #1 hit single “Heart Like A Truck” off her GRAMMY Award-winning Country Album of the Year, Bell Bottom Country.

In the Stoney Creek Records/BMG Nashville artist Jelly Roll’s acceptance speech, he said: “My mama always told me I had a face for radio, baby! Man, I remember being a kid in the backseat of the car with my brothers. I had three older brothers and an older sister. All we did was ride around and listen to the radio, and we sung every single word. I never would have dreamed I would be one of the voices coming through your radio and to be the Best New Country Artist to represent country music and the Best New Pop Artist. You don’t know what it means to a kid like me. I was thinking about it. What does it mean when a guy like me has the opportunity to be the new pop artist of the year at iHeart Radio Awards? It means that God will always use the least likely messenger with the biggest message, every single time. You can take it to the bank, baby. I love you Jesus, and I love you Bunnie, my wife. Thank you for everything.”

Broken Bow Records/BMG Nashville artist Lainey Wilson shared her excitement on social media, stating:“Thank you, iHeartRadio & iHeartCountry! Y’all have been in my corner since day one! Love y’all.”

ABOUT JELLY ROLL:

Award-winning, Grammy nominated Nashville native singer/songwriter Jelly Roll (Jason DeFord) debuted Top 3 on the Billboard 200 All Genre Chart and #2 on the Top Country Album charts with his debut Country Album, Whitsitt Chapel (released June 2nd, 2023) - earning the biggest Country debut album in Billboard Consumption Chart history. Following his sweep at the 2023 CMT Music Awards where he earned 3 awards to become the most awarded artist of the night, the Billboard Country Power List Cover star and “country’s ‘most authentic’ new artist” (The New Yorker) recently received Billboard’s 2023 Breakthrough Award and the People’s Choice Award for Male Country Artist of the Year. Nominated for Best New Artist and Best Duo/Group Performance for “Save Me (with Lainey Wilson)” at the 2024 GRAMMY Awards, along with eight genre-spanning nominations at the 2024 iHeartRadio Radios, Jelly Roll is also one of three artists, which include Morgan Wallen and Luke Combs, who have scored three Country Airplay #1s in 2023. “One of Nashville’s fastest rising stars” (The New York Times), Jelly was a 4X winner at the 2023 People’s Choice Country Awards and was the most nominated male at the 2023 CMA Awards, with five total nominations, capturing his first CMA Award for New Artist of the Year. His #1 hit single “Save Me” — a confessional, vulnerable expression of self-doubt— set the stage for his new season of life and took him to new heights and Platinum certification from the RIAA. Jelly debuted the song along with Lainey Wilson at the 2023 ACM Awards on the heels of his 28-week reign at No. 1 on Billboard’s Emerging Artists chart. “Save Me” became his third consecutive #1 single in 2023 following his multi-week #1 hits on Country and Rock radio, “Need A Favor” and “Son of A Sinner.”

His current single “Halfway To Hell” is on radio now, and he recently teased his upcoming Beautifully Broken Tour.

As an artist and humanitarian - he continues to resonate with fans on a global scale and earn numerous industry milestones - from playing his sold-out hometown show for 18,000 fans at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena to sold-out dates at the Ryman Auditorium and the release of his critically acclaimed Hulu documentary produced by ABC News, “Save Me.” Featured by Nightline, GMA, GMA3, The New York Times, The Tennessean, Billboard, Variety, American Songwriter, CMT and more, his self-built, unconventional industry rise and unique fan connection has garnered praise from numerous outlets, with Variety noting, “for everyone who’s facing the same struggles, Jelly Roll is their Springsteen,” and American Songwriter echoing, “with a string of accolades and an extremely dedicated following, Jelly Roll has emerged as a force to be reckoned with in the music industry.”

KEEP UP WITH JELLY ROLL

ABOUT LAINEY WILSON:

GRAMMY award winning, prolific singer-songwriter, Lainey Wilson has earned the enthusiasm and praise of the industry. Critically acclaimed and touted as ‘Entertainer of the Year,’ the Louisiana native who has often been described as a “bona fide storyteller at work,” has made a name for herself as a next generation icon. Constantly defying the traditional norms and conventions of the Country music genre, Wilson’s “rulebreaking” achievements have led her to numerous accolades and a diehard fanbase.

Nearly 10 years to the day after leaving her small farming community in a camper trailer to chase her dreams in Nashville, she earned her first PLATINUM certified song, with “Things A Man Oughta Know,” and won over legions of fans across the globe with her signature sound and aesthetic, blending traditional Country with a modern yet retro flare.

Thus far, her music has taken her worldwide with headlining shows in Europe, the UK, Australia, and more. With six No.1 songs to date, Wilson has become the lead female artist with the most No.1’s this decade along with two GRAMMY nominations, six ACM, and seven CMA awards. Her current radio single, “Wildflowers and Wild Horses,” is her seventh consecutive record to break the top 10 at Country Radio and is rapidly climbing the charts.

Making her acting debut in Season 5 of Paramount’s smash hit series Yellowstone, Wilson has become a triple-threat in the industry, claiming the roles of singer, songwriter, and actress. Fans can also catch Wilson on her upcoming, “Country’s Cool Again,” headlining North American tour later this Summer.

KEEP UP WITH LAINEY WILSON

“half of my hometown” Is Up for Best Collaboration, Country Collab
Bringing the Full-On East Tennessee I Go Back 2023 Tour Mates to the Awards

Multiple CMA Award Winner Takes on All-Genres for the First Time

They have won the Country Music Association Vocal Event and Video of the Year for “half of my hometown,” as well as being nominated for the CMA Single of the Year, but Kelsea Ballerini and her East Tennessee influence Kenny Chesney never expected to see themselves nominated alongside Elton John and Dua Lipa, Post Malone featuring Doja Cat, Lil Nas-X and Jack Harlow, Post Malone and The Weeknd, Megan Thee Stallion and Dua Lipa, Sam Smith and Kim Petras, Future featuring Drake and Tems, Elle King and Miranda Lambert or Doja Cat featuring the Weeknd. But that’s right where their heart-rending “half of my hometown” has ended up with this morning’s iHeartRadio Music Awards nomination announcements.

With the I Go Back 2023 Tour mates starting to get ready for their March 25 kick-off at the Bryce Jordan Center in University Park, Pa., it was a surprise they didn’t see coming. But it’s also a distinction they’re honored to have received for a song that says a lot about coming up outside the major cities.

“Until you leave, you don’t really understand the pull of where you’re from,” reflected Ballerini, also a quadruple Grammy nominee, including for this year’s Best Country Solo Performance. “It’s a song that’s so much where I’m from – and as much as I’ve explored a lot of genres with so many interesting artists – I think that feeling of being torn is something people, especially ones with big dreams, know regardless of what kind of music they listen to.”

“Post Malone? Dua Lipa? The Weeknd? Doja Cat?” Chesney marveled. “That is both amazing company and a testament to the truth a good song can contain. Remembering the way I felt driving down I-40 West, chasing the dream, I knew as soon as I heard that first chorus when Kelsea texted it to me that this song had every last drop of how much you miss where you’re from, but all the reasons you have to keep going. I love that iHeart recognized the power of that emotion and that song. It makes me wonder how many of the other nominees know just how ‘half of my hometown’ feels, too.”

“Music has taken me so many incredible places,” Ballerini added. “It’s brought so many people into my life from pop, alternative and contemporary music, but singing with Kenny is going home. I love that people could hear what I heard. He was the only voice for ‘half of my hometown,’ and when he comes in, it’s just like hitting the Knoxville city limits.”

With “Better Version,” her steamy collaboration with FLETCHER, already making waves, the Platinum-certified Ballerini continues exploring the myriad styles of music, while retaining her strong commitment to being a woman whose songs reflect life as she and her peers live them. That candor and willingness to share her hurt, hopes and moments has made her one of Nashville’s most sought-after voices.

Having played to over 1.3 million fans on his Here And Now 2022 Tour, including 21 NFL stadium plays, Chesney embodies the ability to connect with others. Recognizing Ballerini’s willingness to be true to herself when he was seeking a special guest for a very special tour that returns him to the kinds of towns both grew up in, she was the natural choice.

Since taking her debut “Love Me Like You Me It,” follow-up “Dibs” and “Peter Pan” all to No. 1 on the country charts, a trifecta that matches Wynonna Judd’s solo emergence in the ‘90s, the fresh-faced and fashion-forward songwriter/vocalist has drawn on her own coming of age for some of modern music’s most personal songs, songs so true they transcend labels – and are now side-by-side with pop’s biggest names.

Written with Ross Copperman, Nicolle Galyon, Shane McAnally and Jimmy Robbins, “half of my hometown” reflects Ballerini’s journey, but also so many young people’s way of seeing the world around them.

The I Go Back 2023 Tour is presented by Blue Chair Bay Rum. Tickets are on sale now via KennyChesney.com.

I Go Back Tour Dates:
March 25       State College, PA                         Bryce Jordan Center
March 30       Wichita, KS                                 INTRUST Bank Arena
April 1           Oklahoma City, OK                     Paycom Center
April 6           Uncasville, CT                             Mohegan Sun Arena
April 8           Wilkes-Barre Township, PA         Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza
April 12         Birmingham, AL                          Legacy Arena at the BJCC
April 14         Jacksonville, FL                           Daily’s Place Amphitheater
April 25         Lexington, KY                             Rupp Arena
April 27         Greenville, SC                             Bon Secours Wellness Arena
April 29         Greensboro, NC                           Greensboro Coliseum
May 4            Moline, IL Vibrant Arena at The Mark
May 6            Grand Rapids, MI                        Van Andel Arena
May 9            Grand Forks, ND                         The Alerus Center
May 11          Sioux Falls, SD                            Denny Sanford Premier Center
May 13          Lincoln, NE                                 Pinnacle Bank Arena
May 18          Fort Wayne, IN                            Allen County War Memorial Coliseum
May 20          Evansville, IN                              Ford Center
May 25          Charleston, SC                             Credit One Stadium
May 27          Orange Beach, AL                       The Wharf