Jelly Roll Is Full of Gratitude After New Artist of the Year Win at the 2023 CMA Awards

Jelly Roll went into the 2023 CMA Awards with five nominations. He walked away with the trophy for New Artist of the Year.

Earlier today, the Antioch, Tennessee, native took to social media to react to the win. He addressed his fans, followers, and the rest of the world in a message that began and ended with gratitude. “Thank y’all,” he wrote. “I’m overwhelmed with the love I’ve received today. On country music’s biggest night, I was blessed with 60 seconds to tell the world how I felt and I’m honored that 60 seconds inspired someone somewhere,” he added. “Thank y’all–Sincerely YOUR 2023 CMA NEW ARTIST OF THE YEAR,” he concluded.

Like every other opportunity that’s come his way, Jelly Roll made the most out of his acceptance speech last night. He started his speech by thanking his label, management, country radio, God, and his wife. He also took a moment to praise his fellow New Artist nominee Zach Bryan. “I think you’re the hottest thing on earth, not just country music. You deserve this as much as anybody else.”

[RELATED: Jelly Roll Energizes CMA Awards with Passionate Acceptance Speech for New Artist of the Year—”Let’s Party Nashville!”]

Then, the man who named his debut country album after the Baptist church he attended delivered a sermon to the audience and everyone watching at home. “There’s something poetic about a 39-year-old man winning New Artist of the Year,” the impassioned portion of his speech began. “I don’t know where you’re at in your life or what you’re going through, but I want to tell you to keep going. I want to tell you that success is on the other side of it.”

[RELATED: Watch: Jelly Roll and Wynonna Judd Open 2023 CMA Awards with a Bang]

He continued, building to a crescendo, “I want to tell you that it’s gonna be OK. I want to tell you that the windshield is bigger than the rearview mirror for a reason because what’s in front of you is so much more important than what’s behind you.” He concluded with, “Let’s party Nashville!”

[REVIEW: Jelly Roll and K. Michelle Perform the Judds’ Classic “Love Can Build a Bridge” to Close the 2023 CMA Awards]

Jelly Roll brought that same fiery energy to the stage twice more during the CMA Awards. He opened the show by singing “Need a Favor” with Wynonna Judd. Then, he closed things out by singing “Love Can Build a Bridge” with K. Michelle.

(Photo by Jason Kempin/Getty Images)