Jelly Roll performs private concert for Apalachee High School students

Nashville music star Jelly Roll (third from right) is pictured with members of the Apalachee High School football team in Winder, Ga. ahead of a concert performance for the students on Oct. 26, 2024. (Apalachee Wildcat Football/ Facebook)

Grammy-nominated Nashville singer Jelly Roll stopped in Winder, Ga., Saturday for a private performance ahead of his concert at Atlanta’s State Farm Arena that night.

The rapper-turned-country star is famous for hits “Need a Favor,” “Son of a Sinner,” and “I Am Not Okay” and treated students and families from Apalachee High School to a free “healing” concert in the town’s Jug Tavern Park Saturday afternoon.

The Winder community was devastated after a 14-year-old shooter at the school killed two students and two faculty members on Sept. 4, 2024.

Jelly Roll wears a hat emblazoned with the Apalachee Wildcat mascot and the phrase “Love will prevail” at Jug Tavern Park in Winder, Ga., on Oct. 26, 2024. (Sterling Harris / Facebook)

In a statement posted to Facebook ahead of the event, the City of Winder said the event aimed “to foster healing and unity for the students, faculty, and families of Apalachee High School as they come together to reflect and support one another following September’s tragedy.”

Watch a clip of the show here.

Jelly Roll’s latest album, Beautifully Broken, debuted at No. 1 on the U.S. Billboard 200 last week, making him arguably the most popular performer in America at the moment.

Apalachee Wildcat Football, the school’s sports boosters, posted the team’s gratitude on its Facebook page, along with several photos: “Thank you to Jelly Roll for coming to our small town and putting on a big town performance. #lovewillprevail #BarrowStrong #ApalacheeStrong.”

Facebook user Colleen Brennan Sickler attended the concert and posted images of the event, along with praying hands and heart emojis.

“What a great guy!” Sickler wrote. “Jelly Roll came to my hometown Winder for a special concert for the families of Apalachee High School after the recent school shooting tragedy.”

Sterling Harris, owner of Old School Hats in Lawrenceville, Ga., posted on the platform that Jelly Roll reached out about shirts and hats for his concert at State Farm Arena.

Jelly Roll performs at State Farm Arena in Atlanta on Oct. 26, 2024 while wearing a “Love will prevail” custom ball cap. (Stephanie Mastronunzio / Facebook)

The singer wore the blue baseball cap on stage in Winder and Atlanta later that evening.

On Facebook, Stephanie Mastronunzio captured the moment during Jelly Roll’s performance Saturday night.

“What a night! One for the books … He was wearing the Apalachee High School hat!” she posted.

Apalachee High School students also received a visit from actor and wrestler Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson last month.

This article comes to Now Habersham in partnership with GPB News