It’s been a few years since Ottawa Bluesfest had a Tuesday show but this year they made an exception as they landed an artist that was just too big to pass up. That artist was, Jelly Roll, and last night was one of the most powerful, emotional and spiritual journeys I’ve ever been on at a concert.
Dax performs at the Ottawa Bluesfest. Photo: Renée Doiron
The night kicked off with an encore performance by Ottawa native DAX who we were first introduced to at Ottawa Bluesfest in 2023. DAX impressed me last summer and last night. He had a strong set with great audience interaction and, as most area artists are, was very proud of his connection to the city. It was the perfect amount of energy to kick off the night and the audience loved it.
Shaboozey performs at the Ottawa Bluesfest. Photo: Renée Doiron
Next up was an artist that’s been burning up the charts on the country side with his single “A Bar Song (Tipsy)”. Much like DAX before him the Ottawa crowd ate it up. What’s interesting about last night’s show was that we had three rappers, country themed at that, and collectively they drew better, and on a Tuesday at that, than 50 Cent just a few nights earlier. What was different? Relatability. It’s that simple. Artists like DAX, Shaboozey and Jelly Roll, write songs that are relatable to the average person. They sing about addiction, living in the country, driving pickup trucks and hanging out in bars rather than living in million dollar mansions and private jets. Audiences of all stripes can listen to songs like “A Bar Song” or “Dear God” or “Dear Alcohol” because they’ve been there, they’ve walked in those shoes.
Jelly Roll performs at the Ottawa Bluesfest. Photo: Renée Doiron
The headliner for the night was a man who, in a very short time, has inspired so many people, my family included, by what he’s overcome. The anticipation of last night’s show has been strong and boy did he deliver. Jason Bradley DeFord, aka Jelly Roll, was born and raised in Tennessee. His father was a meat sales man and his mother suffered from mental illness and addiction. Jelly Roll’s teenage years were rough, to say the least. He was arrested several times and spent time in jail for various charges/felonies including possession of marijuana and aggravated robbery. While in prison in 2008 he found out he had become a father and made the commitment to change and change he did. He turned to music and in 2020 wrote and recorded “Save Me” a song that openly spoke of his struggles and became instantly relatable to so many, especially as the world entered the pandemic.
His medium has quickly turned into a vessel for his message as he spreads hope with every performance to so many who, at one point, may have felt alone and without hope. Seeing this 39 year old who 16 years ago was in prison turn his life around for the better, get a passport to travel to Canada and perform in front of 25-30,000 fans. If that doesn’t give someone hope that it can be done I don’t know what will. Near the end of the set he, again, reiterated the words he spoke when he won New Artist of the Year at the CMA Awards “I don’t know where you’re at in your life or what you’re going through, but I want to tell you to keep going, baby. I want to tell you success is on the other side of it. I want to tell you that the windshield is bigger than the rearview mirror for a reason because what’s in front of you is so much more important than what’s behind you!” Now I’ve covered thousands of concerts over the last 14 years and even out of the best ones only a handful have that special moment that happens between an artist and the audience. A moment where the audience touches the artist and takes away their breath. That happened last night, more than once. The crowd’s endless chants of Jelly Roll, Jelly Roll, Jelly Roll brought him to tears. This man literally bared his soul to the Ottawa Bluesfest crowd and it was a sight to see.
Jelly Roll performs at the Ottawa Bluesfest. Photo: Renée Doiron
Let me get personal for a minute…addiction exists in my family…not with me personally but someone very close to me. The struggle is real, not just for the addict but for the family that loves them and supports them. Last night’s performance really struck a chord with me and gave me hope. The man in the audience with the sign that said “548 Day Sober, Jelly You Helped “Save Me”. How many others in that crowd may have come with the wish that they too might get some hope and some inspiration from Jelly Roll’s story? How many lives were saved because of that one concert? Can that really happen? Can a single person save a life with music? I’ve always believed that there is some healing power to music but I’ve never believed it more than after last night’s performance.
Jelly Roll performs at the Ottawa Bluesfest. Photo: Renée Doiron
Jelly Roll, thank you for coming to Ottawa and allowing yourself to be vulnerable and showing 30,000 people that’s it’s OK to be NOT OK. You may not know it but you are a hero.
I don’t know how you can top last night, it just almost doesn’t feel right to continue but the show must go on so off we go. Tonight it’s Nicolette & the Nobodies kicking things off and Zac Brown Band closing out the night with a whole lot of great music in between. Remember your rain gear because it’s going to be soggy.
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