Jelly Roll was in Jacksonville Florida over the weekend – the hometown of the legendary Southern rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd. And Jelly, who like any Southern boy has a deep abiding love for Skynyrd, wasn’t going to let the opportunity to bring the band on stage in their own town pass him by.

Bringing two of the band members on stage, Jelly gave the band an introduction that explained how much he loves Skynyrd. “I don’t know if you know it or not, but the greatest rock ‘n roll band in the history of music came from Jacksonville, Florida. I don’t think they’re the greatest southern rock band, I think they are the greatest rock band in the history of music. That’s what I believe as a man that grew up in the south. So with incredible pride do I tell you, to join me for the next song right now is Mr. Rickey Medlocke and Johnny Van Zant from the legendary band Lynyrd Skynyrd.”

Of course the crowd went nuts, but the guys from Skynyrd had a few words about JR as well. “Before we get into this, I gotta say, we were talking backstage and I actually met him for the first time in November of last year and he hadn’t changed one bit. I’m telling you. He is great, he’s the real deal, we love ya Duval.” The Skynyrd boys then joined Jelly and his band for a jam on the Skynyrd classic “Simple Man.” But Van Zant and Medlocke weren’t done yet.

After the performance,

Johnny and Rickey had a surprise for Jelly Roll too: A guitar of late band member Gary Rossington’s, that his wife Dale and his children wanted to give to the country music superstar. JR was obviously in shock, breaking down in tears as he was handed the rock legend’s guitar, with Johnny wondering aloud:”I wonder how many Lynyrd Skynyrd songs was written on that guitar right there.” See the moving moment go down here, and their jam on “Simple Man” here.

Source: WhiskeyRiff