After the chorus, Jelly Roll urges Salvitti to join him as she goes out to welcome the thousands-strong audience. “It was crazy! So many people!” Josie exclaimed.
This young girl is getting the attention of some of the biggest names in country music, thanks to her remarkable skill and courage in pursuing her dreams.
Josie Salvitti, an 11-year-old aspiring vocalist from Pittsburgh, PA, recently shared the stage with Jelly Roll. The incident occurred on Tuesday (August 15) in Burgettstown, Pennsylvania, at The Pavilion at Star Lake, as part of the rapper turned country superstar’s massive Backroad Baptism Tour.
The small girl took the microphone in place of Lainey Wilson, who was on her headline tour, having just performed at the State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia, and was on her way to Alabama. Salvitti saved the day by providing the lead vocals on Wilson’s rendition of Jelly Roll’s “Save Me” off his latest album and country debut, WHITSITT CHAPEL.
Josie filled up for Lainey Wilson and performed “Save Me” with Jelly Roll.
A video shared on Salvitti’s Facebook page shows her standing sidestage, waiting for her turn to shine. After the chorus, Jelly Roll invites Salvitti to join him as she comes out to welcome the audience of thousands.
Salvitti is in her element when singing with her hero, emphasizing each word when accompanied by a full band. She displays no indications of hesitation and sings the borrowed words confidently as the audience cheers her on throughout the performance.
“Can I Sing ‘Save Me’ With You?”
The placard 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 piqued the interest of an Antioch, Tenn., native, and the rest is history!
“It was cra:zy! 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!”
Salvitti told Music Mayhem that she had never anticipated to perform on stage with Jelly Roll. She had come to the show from another event, assuming he had already done his set. Fortunately, such was not the case.
