The Tennessee Board of Parole recommended a pardon for country music star Jelly Roll on Tuesday. Jelly Roll, a Nashville native who has openly discussed his criminal past and journey to redemption, is now seeking the opportunity to travel internationally to perform and share his story of transformation. The final decision on the pardon rests with Governor Bill Lee.
The board’s recommendation was unanimous after a nearly two-hour hearing, during which several witnesses spoke on behalf of the 40-year-old musician, Jason DeFord. One board member recused themselves from voting. The musician’s criminal record includes a robbery conviction at age 17 and drug charges at 23, but Jelly Roll has since become a prominent figure in country music. His 2023 album Whitsitt Chapel and songs like “Need a Favor” have earned him multiple awards, including CMT Awards, a CMA Award, and four Grammy nominations, including one for New Artist of the Year.
Reflecting on the board’s decision, Jelly Roll expressed his gratitude. “This was incredible,” he said. “I pray this goes through. But today was special for me, regardless.”
Jelly Roll’s most serious offenses occurred in his youth. In 2002, at 17, he was involved in a robbery with two others, though he was unarmed. They demanded money from a woman’s home and stole $350 and a wallet with no money. Jelly Roll was sentenced to a year in prison and additional probation. Later, in 2008, he was arrested for possessing marijuana and crack cocaine, leading to an eight-year sentence of court-ordered supervision. He also has two misdemeanor offenses related to driving without a license and drug paraphernalia.
Governor Bill Lee, a Republican, emphasized that each case for clemency, including pardons, is carefully considered. He remarked that while the media attention surrounding Jelly Roll’s case is encouraging, the process is far from complete.
During the hearing, Jelly Roll shared how songwriting helped him turn his life around while he was in detention. “It started as a passion project that felt therapeutic and ended up changing my life in ways I never imagined,” he said. “It opened doors that I never thought possible.”
Now, Jelly Roll is known for his efforts to give back. He often visits jails and rehabilitation centers before his concerts, buys out restaurants to feed the homeless, and engages with local youth in community centers. He doesn’t seek publicity for these efforts, instead focusing on making a real impact.
In support of his pardon application, letters from friends, community leaders, and even Nashville’s sheriff highlighted Jelly Roll’s transformation. Sheriff Daron Hall praised him for his awakening during his time in jail, while Michael Rapino, CEO of Live Nation Entertainment, emphasized Jelly Roll’s charitable contributions to at-risk youth.
One of Jelly Roll’s primary reasons for seeking the pardon is to be able to travel to Canada for performances. His criminal record complicates the process, requiring him to apply for a special permit, which can involve long delays. He shared that obtaining a pardon would allow him to share his message of redemption through music and faith globally.
“I want to be an inspiration for people who are where I used to be,” Jelly Roll told the board. “Change is truly possible.” He also expressed his desire to use his pardon for more than just touring, hoping to eventually use it for missionary work later in life.
Jelly Roll noted that his criminal history still complicates travel. He explained that securing entry into certain countries requires extensive legal work and paperwork. He was recently able to tour in Canada and travel to the United Kingdom, where he spoke about the benefits of rehabilitation programs.
The parole board began considering Jelly Roll’s pardon request in October 2024, five years after his sentence ended. Since taking office in 2019, Governor Lee has granted over 90 pardons, with all of them occurring since 2021.
