Without question, Jelly Roll has had great success the past few years on the country charts and in pop culture. He has brought us many new fans, and has given us much exposure outside of the normal country realm. This song to me, was a gateway song of sorts. First, it’s a great, honest and vulnerable song. This Top Ten record for us was played on other various charts as well. But what this song really did, was open up our format for other successful projects and artists to follow. Jelly Roll is not your stereotypical country act. But this song, and he, were accepted completely by the country community. The willingness to be as honest as he is in this song, and in those that have followed have been embraced by millions of fans. As good of a written song as this is, it needed him to bring it to life, as it’s about his life. Although I do feel lots of artists would have loved to have had this song, it would not has resonated like it did here, this song has to be lived. This sold millions, and he has sold a gigantic amount of concert tickets since. For many, this was a gamble of sorts and it has panned out. This started a cascade of acceptance and open mindedness that has been to the benefit of all. Not only is this a good song, it’s a good country song, and it’s an important song.
