Jelly Roll Surprised With Rare Johnny Cash Gift Before Grand Ole Opry Induction: ‘I Could Cry’

Jelly Roll was full of emotion recently while opening up about a special memento he received from John Carter Cash, the son of late country legend Johnny Cash.

Carter Cash surprised the “I Am Not Okay” singer, 41, with a special piece of jewelry once worn by the beloved Man In Black, according to Country Now.  The unveiling of the gift — a delicate, gold cross necklace — happened backstage at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville ahead of Jelly Roll’s induction on Tuesday, March 10.

While that exchange was made in private, Jelly Roll couldn’t help but share his excitement with the media at the event about the heirloom, which he wore on stage for his milestone moment.

Describing how he was presented with the necklace, as shown in the Instagram video above, Jelly Roll said Carter Cash told him, “‘I got something of my father’s [that] I think that he would want you to wear.’ And he opened up this [box with a] cross necklace [inside] that was Johnny Cash’s necklace.”

Carter Cash told the Antioch, Tenn., native that the accessory was not only his father’s “favorite” necklace, but the jewelry had belonged to the family for many years.

“He said it was his father’s favorite piece of jewelry that his father owned. And he thinks that he would want me to wear this during the induction….”

Jelly Roll Can Relate to Johnny Cash

After sharing the heartwarming story of the gift, Jelly Roll went on to point out his connection to Cash, revealing how the“Ring Of Fire” singer shaped his personal life and career.

“I lived my entire life somewhere between two middle fingers and the grace of Jesus Christ. And I learned that from Johnny Cash,” Jelly Roll said. “This is the same guy who famously kicked the lights out on stage at the Ryman and flipped the bird to the photographer while breaking something. That’s breaking a law, by the way.”

“He could have went to jail for that destruction of property. And this is also the same guy that I know is sitting right next to Jesus in the throne of heaven, smiling down for all the work he did for God on this planet, too,” he added. “So dude, I wear black because of Johnny Cash. So man, I could cry about this alone. My uncle grabbed it and almost cried.”

Johnny Cash passed away on Sept. 12, 2003, at the age of 71.