Eric Church and Jelly Roll Share a Heartfelt Conversation to Close Out the 2025 Country Radio Seminar

In what felt like a rare and intimate moment for the music industry, Eric Church and Jelly Roll sat down for a heart-to-heart conversation to close out this year's Country Radio Seminar, leaving an indelible mark on the audience with their raw honesty and shared experiences.

The exchange began with Jelly Roll opening up about his journey, revealing his struggles with self-confidence and articulation growing up. He candidly admitted, "I wasn’t very confident or articulate growing up." But it was clear that the man who stands before us today is no longer that unsure young man.

"You were like my North Star in the music business," Jelly Roll confessed to Church, referencing how Church’s unapologetic approach to his career became a guiding light for him during his early years in the industry. For Jelly Roll, Church was not just a musician but an artist who redefined what it meant to be true to oneself in country music.

In a reflective moment, Church also shared that Mr. Misunderstood, was originally envisioned as a duets project with some of his musical heroes. "I was so sure that this would be the way to make my mark," he explained. However, as he grew into his own artistic identity, it became clear that a solo effort would be more honest and authentic to the journey he wanted to share.

Eric Church, known for his boldness and willingness to break boundaries in country music, responded by recalling his own path—a path that was not always paved in success. The "Chief" singer shared how, in his early days, he faced many rejections and struggles to get his music heard, but it was in those challenges that he truly found his voice. "It was failure," Church admitted, "that taught me who I really was as an artist."

The conversation took an even deeper turn when Jelly Roll spoke about how, much like Church, he never felt entirely at home in the world of mainstream country music. "I cut my teeth the same way," Jelly Roll said, reflecting on how Church's music, along with the work of artists like Kid Rock, made him believe that there was a place for someone like him in the genre. "I just knew I had to meet Eric Church," Jelly Roll shared, his admiration palpable as he recounted the early days of his career when he thought that meeting Church would solve all his problems.

For Church, it was not just about music but about a sense of purpose and connection to the audience. He described how his early songwriting attempts were often met with rejection, and how even some of his biggest songs were initially passed over. Yet, as his career grew, he realized that music was not just about selling records—it was about being true to the stories that shaped him. "I couldn’t give away the sound of who I was," Church explained. His decision to keep songs like "Guys Like Me" for himself was a defining moment in his career. He knew, even then, that it was his authentic voice that would connect with listeners.

What followed was an emotional exchange about the pressures and personal toll that comes with fame. Jelly Roll, who had previously opened for Church, admitted that the whirlwind of success had overwhelmed him at times. He recalled his struggle with weight and health issues, revealing how it affected his ability to keep up with his rigorous tour schedule. However, through self-discipline and a renewed focus on his health, Jelly Roll has found a better balance, prioritizing family, faith, and self-care.

Church, too, reflected on the toll the industry had taken on him, sharing how his early success with Chief was both a blessing and a burden. He spoke of the difficulty of transitioning from an outsider to a household name, grappling with the realization that fame doesn’t always bring the happiness you expect.

The conversation reached a poignant moment when Jelly Roll vulnerably shared how the emotional weight of his music and the stories from his fans often left him in tears, even while on the road. "I just started this year taking the advice you gave me about being off when I’m off," Jelly Roll said, echoing Church's earlier advice about the importance of separating work from personal life to avoid burnout.

As the conversation wound down, Church reflected on the impact of his album Mr. Misunderstood and the cultural shift it brought. "I didn’t realize at the time," Church said, acknowledging the monumental changes that followed Chief's success. "But I think that’s the way it is with lightning in a bottle—sometimes you don’t see it until later."

It was a conversation about growth, authenticity, and the ever-evolving journey of becoming the artists they are today. The exchange not only highlighted the mutual respect between Church and Jelly Roll but also revealed the vulnerability and determination that defines both of their careers. As the seminar concluded, attendees were left with a renewed sense of the power of music, not just to entertain, but to connect, heal, and transform.

In a world often consumed by the business of music, Church and Jelly Roll's conversation reminded us all why we fell in love with country music in the first place—because it's real, it's raw, and it has the power to speak directly to the heart.