LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Downtown Louisville was full of music fans as singer Jelly Roll brought The Beautifully Broken Tour to the KFC Yum! Center Saturday night.
Derby City is a stop on the tour that represents a special milestone for two musicians sharing the stage with him and country singer Warren Zieders.
As fans walk towards a night of live music, it wasn't long ago when Mt. Washington native Cody Ash was doing the same.
"I'm playing my hometown area after years, and years, and years of doing all of this," Ash said.
Ash is a drummer for singer Jelly Roll, but before he was jamming out for arenas packed with thousands of people he was a baseball player in Bullitt County.
"It's beautiful to have all the comradery with all the sports teams," Ash said. "And how great sports are going in Mt. Washington but music can come out of a small town too. You can be successful with music out of a small town."
He said Jelly Roll is the same caring personality you see online.
"Playing for Jelly is like home," Ash said. "I've seen this man go do good for others without the camera there like he's done things for me that didn't need to me done."
Some Louisville residents like Carolyn Brace feel the same about the musician.
"He resonates with people he's a nice guy," Brace said. "Jelly Roll... I had a great time at your show. Thank you for coming to Louisville."
Opening the concert at the KFC Yum! Center is country singer Warren Zeiders. Playing the bass on tour with him is Louisville native Sean Carroll.
"He believes in me and I take that with a lot of appreciation," Carroll said. "That he trusts me with his show and his material."
Carroll said there's a lot of nerves performing at a venue he's attended as a fan himself. He cherishes memories from Bardstown Road and collaborating with local musicians.
"Going to Bizianes Music that's kind of where I learned music," Carroll said. "Also Pat Thomas local legend guitar player of course, he taught me the basics of music when I was younger."
Young locals turned celebrities of their own as they continue to represent Kentucky on tour.
"There's a lot of talented people here and it's nice to see them get their shot," Brace said.
Ash and Carroll hope to represent their home with pride and prove Kentuckiana is full of talent.
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