NEED TO KNOW
Jelly Roll isn’t concerned about being judged by others.
In a Friday, Dec. 12 interview with the Associated Press, the 41-year-old “Save Me” singer opened up about getting nominated for three 2026 Grammys, including one for “Hard Fought Hallelujah,” his collaboration with Christian music artist Brandon Lake. During the interview, Jelly — whose real name is Jason DeFord — got candid about facing criticism from some organized religions.
“I really don’t care when the organized religions wave their finger at me,” he said. “I’m just glad to see the message, the gospel getting presented.”
Jelly also said he thinks there is a revival going on in the United States. “I think there really is a revival happening in America right now where people are being re-presented the gospel in a digestible way. And it doesn’t seem as finger waggy and ‘You’re all going to hell,’ you know?”
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In terms of his own relationship with Christianity, he shared how religion has helped him through his journey, which included jail time and drug use.
He said, “I’m a broken dude that came from a broken place and like Humpty Dumpty, they put me back together, baby.”
While Jelly is up for his first ever Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song Grammy, alongside Lake, he told the AP he doesn’t see himself crossing over into contemporary Christian music, despite his faith.
“I definitely live a little too secular to be releasing Christian music,” he said, but he also added the seeing “Hard Fought Hallelujah” recognized is another reminder that “God knows my heart.”
In addition to his joint nomination with Lake, Jelly is also up for Best Country Duo/Group Performance for his song “Amen” with Shaboozey and Best Contemporary Country Album for his 2024 release Beautifully Broken. The singer has also been invited to join the Grand Ole Opry, an honor which brought him to tears when he was told the news during an appearance on The Joe Rogan Experience podcast on Wednesday, Dec. 10.
Country singer Craig Morgan delivered the news in a pre-taped message.
“I’ll never forget meeting you [at] the Grand Ole Opry and how much it meant to me to hear you say my music helped you get through some really tough times,” Morgan, 61, said. “That’s one thing country music does really well. And who would’ve ever dreamed back then that I’d be back at the Opry House today to say Jelly Roll, you’re officially invited to become a member of the Grand Ole Opry. It’s an honor to say welcome to the family, brother.”
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Jelly then pulled off his headphones and began to cry before telling host Joe Rogan a story about a time he went to see Morgan at the Grand Ole Opry.
“He comes out and sings ‘Almost Home,’ and I had, I’m not bulls—ting, I’d maybe cried 10 times in my life at that point,” he recalled. “I cried and cried. I cried like I’m crying here now, and I just remember thinking, ‘Man, I wanna make people feel the way he makes me feel. That’s what I want to do. I did it, Joe.”
