When Tulsa King first burst onto the scene, it offered a fresh take on the crime drama genre, with Sylvester Stallone’s Dwight Manfredi leading a diverse group of characters in a story of reinvention and ambition. Amid this ensemble, Garrett Hedlund’s portrayal of Mitch Keller, a former bull rider turned entrepreneur, brought new depth to the storyline.
In the series, Hedlund’s character doesn’t just work with Dwight to expand his empire, he also embraces new opportunities for personal growth. Behind the scenes, however, there was a “daunting” challenge Hedlund took on, one that required a mix of skill and courage. He faced this head-on, thanks to a special request from none other than Sylvester Stallone himself.
Sylvester Stallone’s Special Request: A Key Moment in Tulsa King
As the stakes rise in Season 2, Sylvester Stallone saw the perfect opportunity to push Garrett Hedlund outside of his comfort zone. In the middle of Season 1, Stallone approached Hedlund with a special request, asking him to perform a Willie Nelson song in the next season.
“Sly spoke to me about singing in the middle of the first season,” Hedlund revealed in an interview with Decider. While it seemed like an unusual ask, especially for an actor not predominantly known for his musical performances, Hedlund embraced the challenge. “I don’t give a damn. I love music so much,” he remarked, showing his enthusiasm for integrating music into his role.
Hedlund’s character Mitch, much like the actor himself, has a deep connection to music. However, performing a Willie Nelson song, particularly one as iconic as Nothing I Can Do About It Now was no small feat. “Getting up and performing a Willie Nelson song was a little daunting. Those are some big shoes to fill,” Hedlund admitted.
Sylvester Stallone’s Daunting Musical Task Turned Triumph
For many actors, singing on screen can be a risky move, especially when covering a legendary figure like Willie Nelson, but Hedlund rose to the occasion, driven by Stallone’s encouragement. In a standout scene from Season 2, Mitch Keller takes the stage at his newly revamped Bred 2 Buck Cabaret & Casino to perform Nelson’s legendary song.
The performance wasn’t just a showpiece, it was an important emotional beat for Mitch’s character, revealing the layers of vulnerability beneath his rugged exterior. “It was really fun,” Hedlund recalled. Despite the initial hesitation, he found joy in the moment. “I sometimes can sound like I have a little mud in my throat,” he joked, but that gravelly tone only added to the authenticity of his performance.
Adding to the excitement of the episode was the appearance of country music sensation Jelly Roll, who performed his own song, I Am Not Okay, alongside Hedlund’s Nelson cover. Hedlund had nothing but praise for his fellow performer, saying, “Jelly Roll is a beautiful man. It was so fun the day he came in. He’s a wonderful soul.”
The combination of Hedlund’s heartfelt performance and Jelly Roll’s presence created a memorable moment in Tulsa King Season 2, elevating the episode and highlighting the rich, character-driven storytelling the series has become known for.
You can watch Tulsa King on Paramount+
