Dec. 10, 2025, 4:12 p.m. CT
- Nation singer Jelly Roll was invited to grow to be the latest member of the Grand Ole Opry.
- The invitation was delivered by his idol, Craig Morgan, through a video performed throughout Jelly Roll’s look on “The Joe Rogan Expertise.”
- Jelly Roll, a Nashville native, has spoken about how Morgan’s music impressed him whereas he was incarcerated.
- An official induction date has not but been introduced.
Jelly Roll would be the latest addition to the Grand Ole Opry‘s all-star forged.
On Dec. 10, the Nashville nation singer, born Jason DeFord, tearfully accepted his invitation to grow to be part of the storied musical group on “The Joe Rogan Expertise” after being invited by one in every of his idols, Craig Morgan.
On the podcast, Rogan performed the “Save Me” singer a video of his Opry debut in November 2021, which Jelly Rolly mentioned was “probably the most particular night time of my life.”
Within the video, Jelly Roll advised the Opry crowd about discovering power in Morgan’s music whereas he was incarcerated.
Rogan advised Jelly Roll, already weeping after watching his debut, that he had one thing else to point out him.
A video flashed onto the display of Morgan sitting within the Opry Home’s pews.
“Congratulations on all the good issues taking place in your profession,” Morgan mentioned, thanking Jelly Roll for the constructive distinction he is made within the lives of so many individuals who want it.
“I am going to always remember assembly you on the Grand Ole Opry and the way a lot it meant to me to listen to you say my music helped you get by way of some actually powerful instances. That is one factor nation music does very well,” Morgan continued.
“And who would have ever dreamed again then that I’d be again on the Opry Home at this time, to say Jelly Roll, you’re formally invited to grow to be a member of the Grand Ole Opry.
“It’s an honor to say welcome to the household, brother.”
Jelly Roll put his face in his arms and cried earlier than asking Rogan for a hug.
“It do not get no larger in nation music, bubba,” Jelly Roll mentioned to Rogan, wiping away tears. “That is as huge because it will get. F***ing Grand Ole Opry, canine.”
“Dude, I used to purchase tickets to go there,” Jelly Roll mentioned. “I googled Craig Morgan. I might heard ‘Nearly Residence’ in jail. … It’s probably the most tear-jerking music about homelessness. … I got here house and the music meant a lot.”
He knew he needed to see Morgan dwell on the Opry.
“I may barely afford tickets. I feel I talked some woman into shopping for them for me,” Jelly Roll mentioned. “I went and sat on my own. I had an ankle bracelet on. The present went off at 9 and I needed to be house at 9, so I used to be like, ‘If he’s the final one, I’m screwed.’
“He comes out and sings ‘Nearly Residence.’ I’m not bulls***ing, I’d possibly cried 10 instances in my life at that time. I cried. I cried. I cried like I’m crying right here now. … I can’t consider they made me a member of the Opry. I need to make folks really feel the way in which he makes me really feel. That’s what I need to do.”
“I by no means thought I’d be allowed to play the Grand Ole Opry, and to be a member of it,” he mentioned.
Who’s Jelly Roll?
Jelly Roll, born Jason DeFord, is a 41-year-old nation music singer whose profession continues to skyrocket.
A Nashville native, Jelly Roll broke into the scene in 2020 and 2021 with hits “Save Me” and “Son of a Sinner.”
After making his Opry debut in 2021, Jelly Roll has hit the stage a number of instances over time. He launched his newest album, “Superbly Damaged,” in October 2024 and has toured extensively since.
Jelly Roll, who was previously incarcerated resulting from theft and drug expenses, was advisable for a pardon earlier this yr by the Tennessee Board of Parole. A pardon would clear his prison report.
Now, he’s a vocal proponent for jail reform and an advocate for incarcerated youth.
In November, Jelly Roll shared he has huge plans to provide again to his Tennessee neighborhood by way of a 100-acre rehabilitation and psychological well being campus he needs to construct on his Tennessee property.
He goals to supply providers from 28-day, 12-step model packages to intensive psychological well being remedy and holistic approaches, he mentioned.
When is Jelly Roll’s Opry induction?
The date of Jelly Roll’s Opry induction has not but been introduced.
To remain updated, go to opry.com/jelly-roll-signup.
Audrey Gibbs is a music journalist at The Tennessean. You possibly can attain her at agibbs@tennessean.com.
Leave a Reply