Jason DeFord has been on a rollercoaster ride the last couple of years and likely it’s been the best ride of his life.
Professionally known as Jelly Roll, the man’s career is on a rocket to the moon right now. From his rough and tumble beginnings in Antioch, Tennessee, just outside of Nashville, Jelly Roll has turned things around and finally getting the life he truly deserves.
Starting out in the world of hip hop, or hick hop as it became known with him and artists like Lil Wyte and Haystack, Jelly Roll has branched out into, well, all of it. The man has found a way to spread his wings into country and rock as well and it has been a phenomenal outcome.
In 2021, he released Ballads of the Broken which spawned a big rock radio hit with “Dead Man Walking” and an even bigger smash on country radio with “Son of a Sinner”. That song earned the man three CMT Music Awards earlier this year; Male Video of the Year, Breakthrough Video of the Year and Performance of the year.
He’s hopped on stage with Shinedown, after meeting them backstage before a show, and just as giddy as a child on Christmas morning. He was in full on Fan Boy mode and that earned him a spot to sing “Simple Man” with them.
His humble beginnings of playing tiny clubs doing hick hop has lead to performing at the Grand Ole Opry in November of ’21 with country artist Craig Morgan to headlining a sold-out show at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville last December.
His story is an amazing one and it’s about to be told to the world thanks to ABC News Studios whom have produced the documentary, “Jelly Roll: Save Me” which will debut on Hulu on Tuesday, May 30th.
From the rough and tumble beginnings, through addiction, mental health issues, and incarceration, to meeting the love of his life and soulmate six years ago, the man still remains humble and thankful for the path he’s been on. He says, “If I wasn’t a musician, I’d be dead.”
It’s exciting to watch this man from Antioch finally get the recognition and love and the audience and opportunities he so deserves. And we are lucky to get to enjoy that talent and the fruits of his labor. The man has talent. A lot of it. And it’s about damn time the world sees it.
Check out the trailer here:
Somewhere in this whirlwind of the last year alone, Jelly Roll has found time to record a new album as well. Whitsitt Chapel drops on June 2nd.
Jelly Roll is also going to be at the Ryman Auditorium back-to-back nights; for the world premiere of the documentary on Tuesday with a Q&A to follow and on Wednesday night, he’s performing the new album in its entirety. While the premeire and Q&A are free, a ticket is still required for entry. Tickets to the second night’s performance are $25.
