After the chorus, Jelly Roll invites Salvitti to join him as she steps out to greet the audience of thousands. “It was crazy! So many people!” Josie exclaimed.
This young girl is catching the attention of some of the biggest names in country music, all thanks to her incredible talent and courage to pursue her dreams.
Josie Salvitti, an 11-year-old aspiring singer from Pittsburgh, PA, recently shared the stage with Jelly Roll. The moment happened on Tuesday, (August 15) in Burgettstown, PA, at The Pavilion at Star Lake, as part of the rapper turned country superstar’s massive Backroad Baptism Tour.
The young girl took the microphone, stepping in for Lainey Wilson, who was away on her headlining tour, having played a show in Atlanta, GA, at the State Farm Arena, and making her way to Alabama. Saving the day, Salvitti provided the lead vocals on Wilson’s portion of Jelly Roll’s “Save Me” from his latest album and country debut, WHITSITT CHAPEL.
Josie Filled In For Lainey Wilson And Performed “Save Me” With Jelly Roll
A clip posted on Salvitti’s Facebook page shows her standing side stage while waiting for her shining moment to come. After the chorus, Jelly Roll ushers Salvitti to join him as she walks out to greet the audience of thousands.
Salvitti appears in her element while singing with her hero, making sure to emphasize each word while backed by a full band. She shows no signs of nervousness and sings the borrowed lines with conviction as the crowd cheers her on throughout the performance.
“Can I Sing ‘Save Me’ With You?”
With a sign that read, “Since Lainey is on her way to Alabama… Can I sing ‘Save Me’ with you? Jelly Roll & Josie,” Salvitti’s dream came true. The sign caught the attention of the Antioch, Tenn., native, and the rest became history!
“It was crazy! So many people! I honestly thought there was no way he would see my sign,” Salvitti recalled about the moments leading up to her duet. “My dad asked some amazing people if they could help get me to the front so Jelly Roll could see it. Everyone was so kind and let us into the pit. Security even let me stand on a chair! Then it happened—Jelly Roll made eye contact and nodded at me with a smile like, ‘I got you.’
“The crowd started cheering my name and pointing at my sign,” she continued. “Next thing I knew, security approached us and said, ‘Let’s go. We’re going backstage. Follow me!’ We waited at the side of the stage, and when ‘Save Me’ began playing, I thought, wow, this is really happening! Jelly Roll signaled me over, and we sang together! I was performing with Jelly Roll. I had only practiced with Spotify Jelly Roll before, but this was the real deal!”
Reflecting on the unforgettable experience, Salvitti shared with Music Mayhem that she never expected to perform onstage with Jelly Roll. She had arrived at the show from another event, thinking he had already finished his set. Fortunately, that wasn’t the case.