Jelly Roll and Marcus King Deliver Powerful “Hard Fought Hallelujah” at Stand Up To Cancer Special
Jelly Roll and Marcus King closed out the ninth televised Stand Up To Cancer fundraising special with a performance that felt more like a revival than a concert. Their soaring duet of “Hard Fought Hallelujah” brought the audience at The Pinnacle in Nashville — and viewers at home — to their feet.
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Wearing a dark gray Stand Up To Cancer tee under a brown shacket, Jelly Roll stood center stage beside King, leading the charge with heartfelt conviction. Before launching into the song, he rallied the crowd with a simple but passionate message: “One night, one goal baby. If you’re watching at home… donate, donate, donate. And I don’t know about y’all, but I still believe in the power of praise. Can we go to church tonight, y’all?”
Trading Verses, Sharing Spirit
Jelly Roll (Jason DeFord) opened the first verse with gritty honesty, admitting that faith often requires perseverance through struggle. His voice carried both weight and warmth as he sang lines about worship in moments of weakness.
King followed, decked out in a royal blue suit and tan cowboy hat, delivering the second verse with soulful intensity. His words about wrestling darkness and reaching for the light paired perfectly with Jelly’s message of raw resilience.
By the time the two came together on the chorus — backed by a full choir — their harmonies transformed the arena into a sanctuary, each note ringing with power and hope.
A Star-Studded Night of Hope
The telecast, hosted by GRAMMY winner Sheryl Crow, was the first Stand Up To Cancer special to air from Nashville. It featured performances from the Jonas Brothers, Noah Cyrus, Gavin DeGraw, Brothers Osborne, Jon Pardi, Dan + Shay, CeCe Winans with the Nashville Community Gospel Choir, and Crow herself.
Special appearances from Kevin Bacon, Jamie Foxx, Tim McGraw, Reese Witherspoon, Zoe Saldaña, Keith Urban, SU2C co-founder Katie Couric, and more underscored the importance of the cause.
Alongside the music, researchers and survivors shared breakthroughs in early detection and treatment, reminding viewers of the life-saving impact of donations.
Closing with Praise
In the end, Jelly Roll and Marcus King’s “Hard Fought Hallelujah” was more than a performance — it was a communal prayer. Their voices, joined in harmony, underscored the night’s mission: to fight cancer with faith, resilience, and hope.
