Emerging from the shadows to the forefront, Jason Bradley DeFord, also known as Jelly Roll, stands amazed at his rapid ascent in the country music realm. Once a relatively unknown name, Jelly Roll has now firmly established his presence in the country music scene by clinching Grammy nominations, securing multiple People's Choice Awards, and walking away with three victories at the CMT Awards ceremony, including the prestigious Video of the Year award.
Despite his newfound fame, Jelly Roll has managed to retain a humble attitude that resonates with his fans.
"None of this has really sunk in for me. I'm just an ordinary guy," shared Jelly Roll with Gayle King on CBS Mornings the day after his successful night at the CMT Awards.
His electrifying and emotionally charged performance at the CMT Awards left both the audience and Jelly Roll himself in awe of the powerful moment.
"Feeling the energy from the crowd, delivering a speech, and trying to connect directly with viewers at home, that really excites me. I believe it's a higher power at work," he expressed.
Jelly Roll Reflects on Overcoming Struggles and Inspiring Others at Awards Show
As he accepted his first award for performance of the year, Jelly Roll was visibly moved by the significance of the moment.
"I was just overwhelmed with emotions. I started crying because I thought about the whole year...from that moment," he shared. "It's amazing what God can do in a year."
During his acceptance speech for Male Video of the Year, Jelly Roll took a heartfelt moment to address those in juvenile detention, drawing from his own past challenges with the law in Tennessee, including arrests for marijuana possession and attempted robbery that led to periods of incarceration.
"I just want them to know that you can really overcome this. This is just a moment of your life and who you were isn't who you are, and that you can change at any given moment of the changes around the corner for all of us. I truly believe that I epitomize it as much as I can," Jelly Roll expressed.
Jelly Roll's Impact on Country Music
Jelly Roll's distinctive mix of country music with a raw, hip-hop-inspired sound, coupled with his unique tattoos—some of which he jokingly regrets—has made him a standout figure in the industry. He is not the only artist bringing a fresh sound to country music, as fellow musicians like Lainey Wilson and Cody Johnson are also gaining recognition—with Jelly Roll's support.
"These individuals are like my companions. They are individuals who support me," he expressed.
Jelly Roll will have a packed schedule this summer as he gets ready to kick off his Beautifully Broken Tour.
Anticipating his inaugural arena tour, which includes shows at iconic venues such as Madison Square Garden in New York City, Jelly Roll reflects on the distance his dreams have traveled and envisions the even greater distances they will reach. "My initial dream was too limited. I now need to conjure up new, grander dreams," he shared.
