Rising Nashville star Jelly Roll has made no secret of his somewhat checkered past and subsequent incarceration.  But the artist has since turned his life around.

Earlier this week the Tennessee Board of Parole recommended that Jelly Roll – born Jason DeFord – receive a pardon from Tennessee Governor Bill Lee.  The nonbinding recommendation came on a unanimous vote with one abstention.

Under current conditions, Jelly Roll cannot travel outside the country to perform and share his message of redemption…something he wants to do.

Speaking on the recommendation, the award winning artist said, “this was incredible.  I pray this goes through.  But today was special for me, regardless.”

Governor Lee noted that “every clemency case is equally important and goes through a thorough process,” telling reporters, “the reporting on Jelly Roll, that’s encouraging for his situation, but there are steps yet to happen in that case.”

Jelly Roll noted that his songwriting began while in the detention center saying, “it started as a passion project that felt therapeutic and would end up changing my life in ways that I never dreamed imaginable and opened doors that I’ve never thought possible.”

While on tour some artists visit music classes, hospitals, and various other groups to spread messages of hope and encouragement.  Jelly Roll visits those in jail and rehabilitation centers to spread his message of redemption.  He has also played basketball with kids at a youth center and bought out a restaurant to feed the homeless. 

And he does so quietly, without fanfare!

In the near two hour hearing, Jelly Roll told the board, “I want to be an inspiration for people who are now where I used to be — to let them know that change is truly possible.  One of the reasons I’m asking for your recommendation for this pardon is because I’m looking to take my message of redemption through the power of music and faith through the rest of the world.”

He added, “I’ll still be using this same pardon, God willing, to go do missionary work in my 50s and 60s.”

He also spoke on his ability to travel saying that it, “takes a team of lawyers and a mountain of paperwork to secure my entry into those countries.”

The parole board began considering the pardon last October; five year after the sentence expired.

Feature photo credit: Jellyroll performing live at the Global Citizen Festival on September 28, 2024. The artist is on stage ready to sing, holding both arms with microphones, engaging the audience with his energetic performance.