Jelly Roll’s Heartwarming Encounter with Young Guitarist After Boise Concert
Boise, Idaho – June 30, 2025 – The crowd at Albertsons Stadium was still buzzing from Jelly Roll’s electrifying performance as part of Post Malone’s Big Ass Stadium Tour when an unexpected moment unfolded near the venue’s exit. As Jelly Roll, the genre-blending country-rap star, made his way to his tour bus after the show, he paused, captivated by the soft strumming of a guitar. There, tucked away in a quiet corner near the exit, was 12-year-old Ethan Carter, a local boy playing a heartfelt rendition of Jelly Roll’s hit song “Save Me.”
Jelly Roll, known for his authenticity and deep connection with fans, couldn’t walk past. The artist, whose real name is Jason DeFord, approached Ethan, who was initially unaware of the star’s presence. “Kid, you’ve got some serious soul in those chords,” Jelly Roll said, startling Ethan, who looked up wide-eyed, his fingers frozen on the strings. The moment, captured by a few lingering fans, quickly spread across social media, turning a fleeting encounter into a viral story of inspiration.
Ethan, a shy seventh-grader from Meridian, had been at the concert with his older sister, Mia, but stayed near the exit to avoid the chaotic crowd. A self-taught guitarist, Ethan had been practicing Jelly Roll’s songs for months, drawn to their raw emotion and storytelling. “I just wanted to play a little while we waited,” Ethan later told reporters, still clutching his worn acoustic guitar. “I never thought he’d hear me.”
Jelly Roll, fresh off a performance that drew 36,000 fans, knelt beside Ethan and asked to hear more. The crowd around them grew as concertgoers realized what was happening. Ethan, nervous but encouraged by the star’s warm smile, played a verse of “Need a Favor.” Jelly Roll joined in, singing softly, creating an impromptu duet that left onlookers in awe. “The power of music is incredible,” Jelly Roll said, echoing a sentiment he shared at a recent Seattle show. “This kid’s got heart, and that’s what it’s all about.”
The interaction didn’t end there. Jelly Roll invited Ethan and his sister to the side of the stage, where he gifted the young musician a signed setlist and a T-shirt from the tour’s merchandise. He also took a moment to chat with Ethan about his love for music, offering advice: “Keep playing from your soul, man. That’s what makes it real.” Mia, who recorded the encounter, shared the video on X, where it garnered thousands of views within hours. Fans praised Jelly Roll’s kindness, with one user commenting, “This is why Jelly’s different—he sees people, really sees them.”
This isn’t the first time Jelly Roll has gone out of his way for fans. Just days earlier, he sent a care package to employees at Big Al’s in Meridian who missed his Boise concert due to work, a gesture that made headlines for its thoughtfulness. His actions reflect a career built on connecting with everyday people, a theme evident in his music and his interactions offstage.
For Ethan, the moment was life-changing. “I want to be like Jelly Roll someday,” he said, clutching the signed setlist. “He made me feel like I could.” As Jelly Roll boarded his bus, he waved to the small crowd, leaving behind a young guitarist with a new spark of confidence and a story to tell for years to come.
The Big Ass Stadium Tour continues, but for one Boise boy, the real show happened after the lights dimmed, proving once again that Jelly Roll’s heart is as big as his music.
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