Jelly Roll Crashed Kaylee Bell’s CMA Fest Set

Megan Hopkins

After hearing the opening notes of 'Keith' from a nearby hotel, Jelly Roll sprinted across CMA Fest in an attempt to join Kaylee Bell on stage, only to miss it by mere seconds.

Kaylee Bell & Jelly Roll
Kaylee Bell & Jelly Roll(Credit: Rachel Deeb)
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If you thought the Jelly Roll and Kaylee Bell story ended in Australia, think again.

The country stars had an unexpected reunion at CMA Fest this week when Jelly Roll quite literally crashed Bell's set in Nashville - although not quite in time.

Bell took to the Dr Pepper Stage at midday on Thursday, drawing a huge crowd as she worked through a set packed with fan favourites, including her breakthrough hit Keith. The song, which famously pays tribute to Keith Urban and helped launch Bell onto the global stage, has become a crowd favourite since its release and viral appearance on The Voice Australia. 

What Bell didn't know was that Jelly Roll was nearby when she started playing it.

According to those on site, the superstar heard the opening notes of Keith from his hotel and immediately took off, determined to jump on stage and sing it with her. Unfortunately, despite his best efforts, he arrived just three seconds too late, missing the end of the song.

It's a moment that feels especially fitting given the pair's recent history.

Last year, while both were performing at Australia's inaugural Strummingbird Festival, Jelly Roll caught Bell's set and was spotted side stage singing along to Keith. Later that day, he invited her on stage during his own performance, where the pair delivered crowd-pleasing renditions of Urban's Somebody Like You and The Angels' classic Am I Ever Gonna See Your Face Again. Jelly Roll later revealed he had been a fan of Keith for some time and hadn't realised Bell was the artist behind it. 

The near-miss at CMA Fest is yet another sign of just how much admiration exists between the two artists.

For Bell, it capped off another major moment in Nashville. Playing to a packed crowd during one of country music's biggest weeks is a milestone in itself, but having one of the genre's biggest stars sprint across town because he heard your song? That's a pretty good endorsement too.

Unfortunately for Jelly Roll, he'll have to wait until next time to get his duet on Keith.