How did the Cowboys get Justin Timberlake to perform at Jerry Jones’ Hall of Fame party?

OXNARD, Calif. — Justin Timberlake brought that sunshine in his pocket and that good song in his feet to Canton, Ohio, over the weekend to celebrate Jerry Jones’ induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

But how did the Cowboys land the pop star for a private concert?

It began six months ago when Jones and his wife, Gene, bumped into Timberlake at the Academy Awards. It turns out Timberlake is a fan of the Cowboys owner. The two had a nice chat.

Jones had learned several weeks earlier that he would be going into the Hall of Fame. He and daughter Charlotte Jones Anderson already had several conversations by that stage about who they could ask to perform at their big party in Canton.

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“We went all over the map”, Jones Anderson said. “I told dad, ‘well, since we can’t bring back Elvis or Johnny Cash, let’s go through the list’.

“He was really concerned about making it someone the team would love, that everyone there would love, young and old. He didn’t just want someone who would appeal to him”.

Timberlake’s name had come up in those initial discussions. After their encounter at the Oscars, the Cowboys followed up to see if the two could get together again with a conference call.

The call between Timberlake and Jones took place several weeks later. The performer told the Cowboys owner he really didn’t do private concerts. Jones asked if he would consider making an exception.

The two continued to talk for roughly 20 minutes.

“They had a great conversation”, said Jones Anderson, who was also part of the call. “My dad told the story about how when he was younger, he and my mom would drive around and follow Elvis.

“That’s when Justin said, ‘well, you know I’m from Memphis and I have a little soul in me'”.

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That’s how the Elvis medley came to be included in Friday night’s performance.

Near the end of the conference call, Jones Anderson remembers Timberlake telling her father, “I’m a good southern boy, Mr. Jones. If I do this, you know I’m going to sing for my supper and I’ll bring my whole band”.

The confirmation came on April 18 when the Jones family flew to Pittsburgh for the funeral of Steelers owner Dan Rooney. Justin Timberlake and The Tennessee Kids would be the headline event at Jones’ party.

“Justin was so professional to deal with and nothing but a pleasure”, Jones Anderson said.

“The evening was really special”.

Dallas News