Staff Picks

Jelly Roll and Shaboozey Deliver a Powerful Redemption Anthem with “Dream While I’m Awake” and “Amen” at the ACM Awards

May 9, 2025
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At the 2025 ACM Awards, Jelly Roll and Shaboozey delivered a performance that resonated deeply with every person in the arena. Their duet of “Dream While I’m Awake” and “Amen” captivated more than 40,000 fans and over 100 fellow artists in attendance, leaving behind an unforgettable moment of raw emotion and shared vulnerability.

The set began with Jelly Roll performing “Heart of Stone” alone on stage, his voice carrying a reflective, almost prayer-like tone. As the final notes echoed, Shaboozey appeared on a smaller stage surrounded by the crowd, his voice rising over a gentle gospel choir that added both intimacy and spiritual weight. Jelly Roll moved through the audience, exchanging heartfelt nods with artists like Wynonna Judd and Lainey Wilson before stepping onto the stage beside Shaboozey.

What followed was a searing performance of “Amen,” a song that speaks to sleepless nights, haunted pasts, and the hope for grace. The chemistry between the two artists was electric, their voices intertwining like a call and response between soul and salvation. The audience remained still, captivated by the honesty radiating from the stage.

With each lyric, the performance peeled back layers of pain and redemption. Jelly Roll’s gritty tone and Shaboozey’s smooth delivery offered a balance of struggle and serenity. Together, they turned the stage into a confessional booth, each word landing like a whispered prayer.

After the final chorus, Jelly Roll stepped forward and thanked the crowd before offering a heartfelt message about mercy, transformation, and second chances. He then paused to wish Shaboozey a happy birthday, drawing warm applause and cheers from the audience—a touching moment of brotherhood and support.

Shaboozey later took to social media to reflect on the experience, calling it one of the most meaningful performances of his life. He expressed gratitude for sharing the stage with Jelly Roll, emphasizing how the performance echoed their shared stories of resilience, loss, and hope.

“Dream While I’m Awake” and “Amen” are featured on the deluxe edition of Shaboozey’s album Where I’ve Been, Isn’t Where I’m Going, which dropped in late April 2025. The project has been praised for its genre-blending sound and introspective storytelling, with “Amen” quickly becoming a standout track.

Their ACM performance didn’t just highlight musical talent—it became a moment of healing, not only for the artists but for many watching. The vulnerability they shared transcended entertainment, striking at the very core of what country music is about: honesty, redemption, and connection.

Critics hailed the performance as one of the evening’s most memorable, pointing to the way Jelly Roll and Shaboozey merged country, gospel, and soul into something truly transcendent. Fans flooded social media with emotional reactions, some saying they were moved to tears.

The bond between the two artists was evident—not just through lyrics, but through their body language, their timing, and their respect for the moment. It wasn’t just about singing a song; it was about telling a story together, and the audience was invited to feel every note of it.

Shaboozey’s grounded, resonant voice paired perfectly with Jelly Roll’s gravel-edged passion, and the combination created a performance that will likely be replayed for years to come. This was not a typical awards show moment—it was a musical revival, steeped in real-life struggle and unflinching hope.

The lighting, staging, and choir added to the drama without overshadowing the performers. Every element served the emotion of the song, building it into a crescendo of release and redemption that had fans rising to their feet.

Moments like this remind us why live music matters—why artists take the stage not just to perform, but to testify. And for Jelly Roll, this was more than a set; it was another step on a very public journey toward healing and grace.

May 9, 2025
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