Arturo Holmes/Getty; Frazer Harrison/Getty
The 40-year-old country star helped ring in the new year with a five-song performance duringNashville’sBig Bashat the Tennessee capitol’s Bicentennial Park on Dec. 31, closing out his set with a cover of the late singer’s hit “Should’ve Been a Cowboy.”
Keithdied at age 62in February 2024 following a stomach cancer diagnosis, and Jelly has performed “Should’ve Been a Cowboy” on several occasions since. AtNashville’s Big Bash, the tribute came after he sang his own tracks “I Am Not Okay,” “Need a Favor,” “Son of a Sinner” and “Liar.”
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Other performers on the New Year’s Eve special includedKeith Urban,Kane Brown,Shaboozey,Luke Bryan,Luke Combs,Eric Church,Tyler Hubbard,Miranda Lambert,Post Malone,Brittney Spencer,Chris Stapleton,Lainey WilsonandZach Top.
In April, Jelly performed “Should’ve Been a Cowboy” as a duet withT-Painat the 2024Stagecoachfestival in Indio, California. Beforehand, they released the cover exclusively on Amazon Music.
Jelly Roll in December 2024.Jason Davis/Getty
Jason Davis/Getty
Speaking withVarietyat the time, Jelly explained Keith and songs like “Should’ve Been a Cowboy,” “The Next Thing on My List” and “I Love This Bar” inspired his pivot from rap music to the country genre.
“He was an outlier. He was unapologetically Oklahoma. There are a lot of things he did that encouraged me and empowered me,” he told the outlet. “He was very individualistic and carved his own path and he did it his own way, from pillar to post. He never knew it, but he was a mentor to me, just watching him from afar.”
Part of the reason he chose T-Pain as a duet partner was the rapper’s connection to the “Red Solo Cup” musician.
source: people.com
