Country crossover phenom Jelly Roll built his music career through sharing his story. The Nashville native has been open about his past poor choices, run-ins with police, his time in jail as a young person, and his rocky road to redemption.
His honest, uplifting speeches and songs about hardships and recovery unify genres and cultures. Since Jelly Roll, real name Jason Deford, broke through in 2020 with “Save Me,” he’s dedicated himself to gratitude and giving back.
Now, his hometown is giving back to him through judicial leaps toward a full pardon.
Tuesday, Davidson County Sheriff Daron Hall posted: “A year ago, I wrote Gov. Bill Lee asking for a full Pardon for Jason “Jelly Roll” Deford…..today the board unanimously recommended his pardon. It’s now in the hands of our Governor.”
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The Associated Press reported that the Tennessee Board of Parole had unanimously issued its nonbinding recommendation. Jelly Roll’s hearing lasted approximately an hour and 45 minutes, with many witnesses, including the Nashville Sheriff, on his behalf.
Jelly Roll: “Today Was Special For Me”
Jelly Roll was present for the hearing. One board member recused themselves from voting.
“This was incredible,” he said after the vote, according to the board’s meeting recording. “I pray this goes through. But today was special for me, regardless.”
The final decision on Jelly Roll’s pardon now rests with Gov. Bill Lee. The singer’s most serious convictions include a robbery at 17 and drug charges when he was 23. His two misdemeanor offenses are for driving without a license and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Since then, Jelly Roll, now 40, has charted nine No. 1 songs – including seven on country radio: “Liar” (country/rock radio), “I Am Not Okay,” “Chevrolet” – Dustin Lynch feat. Jelly Roll, “Halfway To Hell,” “Save Me,” “Need A Favor,” “Son of A Sinner” and “Dead Man Walking.” His third radio single from his Beautifully Broken album “Heart of Stone” is now on country radio. Country music’s favorite tattooed teddy bear also earned Grammy nominations, CMT Awards, and a CMA Award for New Artist of the Year in 2023.
Jelly Roll Wants Pardon for Missionary Work, International Touring
Jelly Roll said he needed the pardon to make it easier for him to tour internationally. He explained to the parole board that it “takes a team of lawyers and a mountain of paperwork to secure my entry into those countries.”
However, he said he would use his pardon for more than touring.
“I’ll still be using this same pardon, God willing, to go do missionary work in my 50s and 60s,” he said.
A pardon is a statement of forgiveness by the state for a crime. Applicants are not eligible for pardons until five years after their sentence expires in Tennessee.
(Photo by Amy Sussman/Getty Images for FIREAID)
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