I can’t even imagine…
Yesterday, country singer and American Idol alum Scotty McCreery announced in a heartbreaking post that both of his grandmothers had passed away within hours of each other, admitting that he was still in shock from the losses:
“My heart is absolutely broken. Yesterday, both my Grandma Janet and my Grandma Paquita passed away. I think I am still in a bit of shock as I type this, but I’m choosing to remember the great memories we all made with both of them.
There really are too many to count. From being on the farm in Elizabeth City or visiting the Outer Banks with Grandma Janet.. And then the incredible memories we made at the backyard pool in Pinehurst, all the way to visiting Puerto Rico with Grandma Paquita. Both of them truly taught me what love is all about. I will miss them dearly. If yall could keep my family in your prayers I’d appreciate it.”
But just hours after making the heartbreaking announcement, McCreery took the stage at Country Concert festival in Fort Loramie, Ohio. And when it came time to perform “Five More Minutes,” Scotty could barely hold back his emotions.
The song already gets me every time I hear it. (In fact it’s one I can’t listen to very often). But the final verse seemed especially meaningful for Scotty yesterday:
“At eighty-six my grandpa said, “There’s angels in the room”
All the family gathered ’round, knew the time was comin’ soon
With so much left to say I prayed, Lord, I ain’t finished
Just give us five more minutes
Time rolls by, the clock don’t stop
I wish I had a few more drops
Of the good stuff, the good times
Oh, but they just keep on flyin’
Right on by, like it ain’t nothin’
I wish I had me a, a pause button
Moments like those, Lord knows I’d hit it
Yeah, sometimes this old life will leave you wishin’
That you had five more minutes”
Of course everybody in the crowd would have understood if Scotty had decided to cancel his appearance at the festival to grieve with his family. But instead he paid tribute to his grandmothers in front of a packed crowd for all to hear – and while it was understandably emotional, it was no doubt a powerful moment for everybody who was there to see it.
Jelly Roll Fights Back Tears After Seeing Little Girl’s Sign
Music is healing.
Jelly Roll’s music is a powerful thing. His deeply personal lyrics resonate with those who have faced personal struggles, regardless of their magnitude. He has highlighted the struggles of being at your lowest point, and turning your life around, giving hope to those who might not feel hopeful right now. While Jelly Roll’s lyrics are part of the reason he connects with his fans, he takes it a notch further and shows vulnerability in his day-to-day life.
Jelly has once said that “vulnerability is my superpower,” and he means it. When Jelly Roll is on stage singing these moving songs, he’s digging deep, thinking about his own struggles, which makes the fans feel each and every word during his setlist. And he’s not getting emotional thinking about how far he’s come, he becomes emotional seeing signs from fans in the crowd sharing how his music has impacted their life.
And while plenty of country artists move people with their music, and many offer words of support, encouragement and hope for their listeners, I just don’t think there is anyone doing it quite like Jelly Roll right now. The impact is special.
One of these moving moments happened the other week at the Barefoot Country Music Festival. While Jelly Roll was performing “I Am Not Okay,” he spotted a sign being held by a little girl in the crowd that read:
“Jelly Roll, my mom died last August. She wrote your lyrics in her journal. If she could, she would be here!”
The cameraman caught the sign as well and flashed it onto the screen. The little girl had tears rolling down her face as she sang the lyrics, and it appears that her little brother is standing next to her, holding onto her arm. The camera pointed at Jelly Roll catches his eyes becoming wet as he sings the moving tune, and points to the young girl as he performs.
“… I am not okayI’m barely getting byI’m losing track of daysAnd losing sleep at nightI am not okayI’m hanging on the railsSo if I say I’m fineJust know I learned to hide it well.”
Jelly Roll and the girl share a tender moment, both acknowledging each other’s pain and realizing it’s okay not to be okay. Losing a parent is beyond heartbreaking, and Jelly Roll showing this young fan empathy from the massive stage is beyond moving.
