BMI’s Jelly Roll Hosts Triple No. One Party Ahead of Grand Ole Opry Induction

BMI’s multi-GRAMMY® award-winning Nashville native Jelly Roll threw a triple No. One celebration on Tuesday, March 10, at the Grand Ole Opry’s Studio A, before his member induction. The BBR Music Group/BMG Nashville/Republic recording artist celebrated three of his eight consecutive career chart toppers as he was reunited with the songwriters, producer and publishers behind “Liar,” “Heart of Stone” and “Halfway to Hell.”

Hosted by BMI and ASCAP and emceed by BMI’s Clay Bradley, the evening began by inviting the hitmakers behind the fiery six-week No. One “Liar” to the stage. Produced by Zach Crowell, the song was co-written by Jelly Roll, Ben Johnson (BMI), Taylor Phillips (BMI) and Ashley Gorley (ASCAP), who all shared grateful remarks. Next, Jelly Roll’s co-writers behind the multi-week No. One “Heart of Stone,” Crowell and Blake Pendergrass (BMI), shared their praises about the song’s success while giving a nod to their co-writer, Shy Carter (BMI). In celebration of his first No. One party as a BMI songwriter, Bradley presented Pendergrass with a custom Taylor 210e DLX guitar.

Jelly Roll, wearing a Johnny Cash cross necklace given to him backstage by John Carter Cash for the evening, closed out the night by reminiscing on the 2025 BMI Country Award-winning song “Halfway to Hell” and gave nods to the songwriters Jessie Jo Dillon (BMI), Jesse Frasure (BMI) and Matt Jenkins (ASCAP) who were unable to attend. Concluding the celebration, BMG Americas’ Jon Loba presented the songwriters with plaques celebrating their milestones. The evening was sponsored by Studio Bank, who made a charitable contribution on behalf of Jelly Roll and the songwriters to the Judge Dinkins Educational Center. Green River Whiskey, the new official whiskey sponsor of BMI No. One parties, gifted Jelly Roll’s collaborators a commemorative bottle of single barrel bourbon in honor of their chart-topping achievements.

BMI’s Clay Bradley and Blake Pendergrass (BMI) pose after he is gifted with a custom Taylor 210e DLX guitar in celebration of his first No. One party as a BMI songwriter. Photo: Credit Katie Mathis for BMI.