Jelly Roll
Nashville's redemption story — rap-sheet honesty turned into tent-revival country-rock that fills stadiums with people who needed the message.
Jelly Roll is the stage name of Jason Bradley DeFord, born December 4, 1984, in Nashville's Antioch neighborhood. His father worked as a meat salesman and bookie; his mother struggled with mental illness and addiction, and nicknamed him Jelly Roll for his love of doughnuts. Baptized at 14, he was arrested that same year, beginning a decade of incarceration. He earned his GED at 23 while in prison and received a pardon from Tennessee's governor in December 2025.
He began his music career in 2003, selling mixtapes from his car and drawing on Three 6 Mafia, UGK and 8Ball & MJG. His Gamblin' on the White Boy series ran from 2004 to 2011, and a 2010 collaboration with Lil Wyte, 'Pop Another Pill,' led to the group SNO. He performed at the Gathering of the Juggalos in 2012, and kept releasing mixtapes with Lil Wyte, Struggle Jennings, Haystak and Tech N9ne.
He made his Grand Ole Opry debut in November 2021, and by 2022 his rougher, gospel-tinged vocals and arena-scaled choruses carried him into the mainstream. 'Dead Man Walking' topped rock radio that May, and 'Son of a Sinner,' released in January 2023, became his first number-one country single, alongside 'Need a Favor.'
'Son of a Sinner' won three CMT Music Awards in 2023, the same year Jelly Roll won New Artist at the CMA Awards and was nominated for Best New Artist at the Grammys. In 2026 he won three more Grammys, including Best Contemporary Country Album for his tenth studio record, Beautifully Broken.
Jelly Roll at a glance
Where is Jelly Roll from?
Jelly Roll is from Antioch, TN.
What kind of music does Jelly Roll play?
Jelly Roll is tagged country and rock.
What festivals has Jelly Roll played before?
Jelly Roll has played Summerfest 2026.
Also on these bills
Garth BrooksMegan MoroneyCody JohnsonPost MaloneCarter FaithTyler HubbardCameron WhitcombNate SmithTucker WetmoreThe Marcus King BandRussell DickersonLittle Feat
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Lainey WilsonWaylon WyattCameron WhitcombCody JohnsonGavin AdcockRussell DickersonShaboozeyZach TopAJ Lee & Blue SummitAvery AnnaBailey ZimmermanBlue Highway
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