Jelly Roll Dedicates Male Video Win at the CMT Music Awards to At-Risk Youth

Jelly Roll snagged the trophy for Male Video of the Year at the 2024 CMT Music Awards on Sunday (April 7), and he gave it away.

The "Halfway to Hell" singer started off his speech by shouting out fellow nominee Cody Johnson and his video for "The Painter," calling it "one of the best music videos" he'd ever seen in his life.

He then spoke to the incarcerated youth — his passion.

"But speaking of chances, it's important that I stand up here and represent those that are looking for second chances," Jelly Roll explained. "The kids back in the Metro Davidson County Juvenile Detention Facility, the kids down here in the Austin Juvenile Detention Facility are watching this tonight. I'm cheering you boys on. You can be this guy. You can change. You can turn it around. I promise you can, baby!"

"I once heard a man say, that you don't change until the pain to remain the same is greater than the pain it takes to change. And that's what it takes," he added emphatically.

Who Was Nominated for CMT Male Video of the Year?

Jelly Roll's big win came over some big competition: Others nominated in the category were Bailey Zimmerman's "Religiously," Cody Johnson with "The Painter," Hardy's "Truck Bed," Jordan Davis with "Next Thing You Know," Luke Combs' "Fast Car" and Morgan Wallen for "Last Night."

Jelly Roll was also in a five-way tie for the most nominations at the CMT Music Awards with three. He was up for Video of the Year and Performance of the Year for his live rendition of "Need a Favor" at the 2023 CMT Music Awards, which he won earlier in the show.

Who Sings "Need a Favor"?

The music video for Jelly Roll's No. 1 hit is as heavy as the song itself. The video tells the story of a man whose young loved one is in the hospital. As he grapples with the potential of losing this child, he finds himself praying for a miracle and even taking his prayers down to the church.

The CMT Music Awards were hosted by Kelsea Ballerini live at Moody Center in Austin, Texas, on Sunday, April 7. The show aired on CBS and streamed on Paramount+.