Photo Credit: Brandon Hull / Office of TN Governor Bill Lee
Tennessee Governor Bill Lee has pardoned country star Jelly Roll for his criminal past in the state. He also acknowledged the journey Jelly Roll has followed after serving a prison sentence to becoming one of the hottest songwriters today.
The rapper-turned-singer’s legal name is Jason Deford and he has spoke for years about his redemption arc. He’s gone from serving time in correctional centers to performing to concert crowds with thousands of people gathered. Governor Lee (R) issued the pardon after friends and civic leaders of the musician joined in an outpouring of support.
Jelly Roll’s convictions include robbery and drug possession felonies. Deford has publicly spoken before about the issues surrounding his inability to travel as a felon, so this pardon makes it easier for the singer to travel internationally for concert tours without tons of paperwork requirements. The singer was one of 33 people to receive pardons from Lee, who has issued his clemency decisions around the Christmas season for years.
Lee stated that Jelly Roll’s application for a pardon went through the same months-long thorough review as other applicants. The state parole board then decided on a non-binding, unanimous recommendation for the singer’s pardon in April. “His story is remarkable, and it’s a redemptive, powerful story, which is what you look for and hope for,” Lee told reporters about the decision.
In Tennessee, a pardon serves as a statement for forgiveness for someone who has already completed their prison sentence. Pardons also offer a path to restoring certain civil rights, including the right to vote.
Jelly Roll broke into country music with his 2023 album Whitsitt Chapel. He has won multiple CMT Awards, a CMA Award, and has picked up seven Grammy nominations throughout his musical career. Much of his music revolves around overcoming adversity, which mirrored his own struggles with sobriety and spending time in prison.
