Latest news with #WhitsittChapel
New York Times
23-04-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Times
Jelly Roll Should Be Pardoned for Drug and Robbery Offenses, Board Says
Jelly Roll, one of the top names in country music, should be pardoned for his past robbery and drug possession convictions, the Tennessee Board of Parole unanimously determined on Tuesday. The decision now rests with Gov. Bill Lee. Jelly Roll, 40, a Tennessee native whose real name is Jason DeFord, started his career as a rapper but rose to prominence in 2023 with his country album 'Whitsitt Chapel' and its popular songs 'Save Me' and 'Need a Favor.' He was named the best new artist at the Country Music Association Awards that year and has been nominated for four Grammys. His most recent album, 'Beautifully Broken,' reached No. 1 on the charts. The singer has been open about his criminal history, including convictions for robbery and drug possession with intent to sell. He was incarcerated when his daughter was born. The Associated Press reported that Jelly Roll was sentenced to a year in prison after entering a house and demanding money in 2002; he was unarmed but two other men were carrying guns. In another case, The A.P. reported, Jelly Roll was sentenced to eight years of court-ordered supervision after the police found cocaine and marijuana in his car. Jelly Roll told The New York Times that he was 13 when the police brought him to jail after an unresolved cannabis citation. 'I'm learning to forgive myself for the decisions I made when I was that young,' he said. 'They were wrong and I knew they were wrong, and I was doing them with a sense of pride and excitement.' In recent years, Jelly Roll has performed at correctional facilities and testified before Congress about the fentanyl crisis. In an interview with Jon Bon Jovi last year, Jelly Roll said he still had issues performing outside of the United States because of his legal troubles. 'We're working on that,' he said. 'I think it's going to work in my favor.' The Tennessee Board of Parole unanimously voted to recommend granting a pardon during a nearly two-hour meeting in downtown Nashville on Tuesday. One of the seven board members, a former law enforcement officer, recused himself from the case. Representatives for Jelly Roll and a spokesman for Mr. Lee did not respond to requests for comment. A spokesman for the parole board said there was no timeline for when the governor would announce a decision. Mr. Lee, a Republican, has pardoned more than 90 people since becoming governor in 2019 and typically announces his decisions in December. In addition to drug offenses, the pardons have included convictions for arson, attempted second-degree murder, domestic assault, driving under the influence, identity theft and shoplifting.
New York Post
23-04-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Post
Jelly Roll receives pardon recommendation from Tennessee parole board: ‘I pray this goes through'
The Tennessee Board of Parole on Tuesday recommended a pardon for country music star Jelly Roll, a Nashville native who has spoken openly about his criminal record and what it has taken to overcome it. The board's action leaves the final decision on a pardon up to Gov. Bill Lee. The rapper-turned-country singer wants to be able to travel internationally to perform and share his message of redemption, after spending time behind bars as a young person. The board issued its nonbinding recommendation unanimously after a hearing that lasted about an hour and 45 minutes with several witnesses, including Nashville Sheriff Daron Hall, advocating for the 40-year-old musician named Jason DeFord. One board member recused themselves from voting. 3 Country star Jelly Roll with Nashville Sheriff Daron Hall at his Tennessee Board of Parole hearing on April 22, 2025. Davidson County Sheriff's Office via AP Jelly Roll broke into country music with the 2023 album 'Whitsitt Chapel' and crossover songs like 'Need a Favor.' He has won multiple CMT Awards, a CMA Award and earned four Grammy nominations, including for new artist of the year. 'This was incredible,' he said of the board's decision. 'I pray this goes through. But today was special for me, regardless.' His most serious convictions include a robbery at age 17 and drug charges at 23. In the first case, a female acquaintance helped Jelly Roll and two other young men enter a house in 2002. Both of the others were carrying guns, although Jelly Roll was unarmed. They demanded money, and received $350 and a wallet with no money in it. 3 The Tennessee Board of Parole recommended that Jelly Roll be pardoned for his past crimes including drug charges and robbery. Davidson County Sheriff's Office via AP Because the victims knew the female acquaintance, she and Jelly Roll were arrested right away. He was sentenced to serve a year in prison and additional time on probation. Later, in 2008, police on patrol found both marijuana and crack cocaine in his car. He was sentenced to eight years of court-ordered supervision. He also has two misdemeanor offenses for driving without a license and possession of drug paraphernalia. Lee, a Republican, said every case seeking clemency, such as pardons, is equally important and goes through a thorough process. 'The reporting on Jelly Roll, that's encouraging for his situation, but there are steps yet to happen in that case,' he told reporters Tuesday. Jelly Roll told the board that while in a detention center, he fell in love with songwriting. 'It started as a passion project that felt therapeutic and would end up changing my life in ways that I never dreamed imaginable and opened doors that I've never thought possible,' he said. These days, he often visits jails and rehabilitation centers before performing concerts. He has bought restaurants out for the day to feed people who are homeless and played basketball with kids at a youth center the same day that he performed in Winnipeg. He said he generally doesn't seek out news coverage when he makes these visits. As a part of the pardon application, friends and civic leaders wrote to the board about Jelly Roll's transformation and generosity. Hall, who runs Nashville's jail, wrote that Jelly Roll had an awakening in one of the jails he managed. Live Nation Entertainment CEO and President Michael Rapino also wrote in his favor, pointing out all the money he has given from his performances to charities for at-risk youth. 3 Jelly Roll performing at the Pollstar Awards in Beverly Hills on April 16, 2025. Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP One of the reasons Jelly Roll gave for needing a pardon is to be able to travel to Canada to perform, which his criminal record makes difficult. Currently, he would need to apply for a special permit that can include long wait times for a decision, according to a letter from an immigration attorney submitted with his clemency packet. 'I want to be an inspiration for people who are now where I used to be — to let them know that change is truly possible,' Jelly Roll told the board. 'One of the reasons I'm asking for your recommendation for this pardon is because I'm looking to take my message of redemption through the power of music and faith through the rest of the world.' He said he would use the pardon for much more than going on tour, though. 'I'll still be using this same pardon, God willing, to go do missionary work in my 50s and 60s,' he said. Due to his criminal record, he told the board that every time he travels it 'takes a team of lawyers and a mountain of paperwork to secure my entry into those countries.' He said he recently was able to make his first tour in Canada and took his first trip to the United Kingdom, where he spoke about a rehabilitation program. The parole board began considering Jelly Roll's pardon application in October 2024, which marks at least five years since his sentence expired. Lee has issued more than 90 pardons since taking office in 2019, all of them since 2021.
Sky News
23-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Sky News
Country star Jelly Roll seeks pardon from criminal past
US country music star Jelly Roll is seeking a pardon to wipe his criminal convictions from the record, after spending time behind bars as a teenager. He told the Tennessee Board of Parole that while in detention, he fell in love with songwriting which he says changed his life in ways he "never dreamed imaginable". Now aged 40, the rapper-turned-country singer, real name Jason DeFord, wants to be able to travel internationally to perform, but his criminal past currently makes that difficult. "I want to be an inspiration for people who are now where I used to be - to let them know that change is truly possible," Jelly Roll told the board, which has recommended a pardon. The final decision rests with the state's Republican Governor Bill Lee. The singer broke into country music with the 2023 album "Whitsitt Chapel" and crossover songs like "Need a Favor". He has been recognised at both the CMT Music Awards and Country Music Association (CMA) Awards and earned four Grammy nominations, including for new artist of the year. As a part of the pardon application, friends and local leaders wrote to the board about Jelly Roll's transformation and generosity. Nashville Sheriff Daron Hall described how the star had an awakening in one of the jails he managed, while Live Nation Entertainment CEO and President Michael Rapino pointed out his charity work. Jelly Roll has spoken openly about his criminal record and what it has taken to overcome it. He often visits jails before performing concerts and helps feed people who are homeless. Due to his criminal record, which includes a robbery at age 17 and drug charges at 23, he says it "takes a team of lawyers and a mountain of paperwork" to perform internationally, sometimes requiring special permits. Last year, he gave evidence before a Senate committee about his own drug addiction and called for stronger legislation against the fentanyl crisis, saying he has "attended more funerals than I care to share". He was recently able to make his first international tour, taking in Canada and the UK, where he spoke about a rehabilitation programme. Governor Lee said every case seeking clemency, such as pardons, is equally important and goes through a thorough process.
Time of India
23-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Tennessee Board Recommends Pardon for Jelly Roll: Country Star's Redemption Journey
NASHVILLE, Tenn. - The Tennessee Board of Parole on Tuesday recommended a pardon for country music star Jelly Roll , a Nashville native who has spoken openly about his criminal record and what it has taken to overcome it. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The board's action leaves the final decision on a pardon up to Gov. Bill Lee. The rapper-turned-country singer wants to be able to travel internationally to perform and share his message of redemption, after spending time behind bars as a young person. The board issued its nonbinding recommendation unanimously after a hearing that lasted about an hour and 45 minutes with several witnesses, including Nashville Sheriff Daron Hall, advocating for the 40-year-old musician named Jason DeFord. One board member recused themselves from voting. Jelly Roll broke into country music with the 2023 album "Whitsitt Chapel" and crossover songs like "Need a Favor." He has won multiple CMT Awards, a CMA Award and earned four Grammy nominations, including for new artist of the year. "This was incredible," he said of the board's decision. "I pray this goes through. But today was special for me, regardless." His most serious convictions include a robbery at age 17 and drug charges at 23. In the first case, a female acquaintance helped Jelly Roll and two other young men enter a house in 2002. Both of the others were carrying guns, although Jelly Roll was unarmed. They demanded money, and received $350 and a wallet with no money in it. Because the victims knew the female acquaintance, she and Jelly Roll were arrested right away. He was sentenced to serve a year in prison and additional time on probation. Later, in 2008, police on patrol found both marijuana and crack cocaine in his car. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now He was sentenced to 8 years of court-ordered supervision. He also has two misdemeanor offenses for driving without a license and possession of drug paraphernalia. He told the board that while in a detention center, he fell in love with songwriting. "It started as a passion project that felt therapeutic and would end up changing my life in ways that I never dreamed imaginable and opened doors that I've never thought possible." These days, he often visits jails and rehabilitation centers before performing concerts. He has bought restaurants out for the day to feed people who are homeless and played basketball with kids at a youth center the same day that he performed in Winnipeg. He said he generally doesn't seek out news coverage when he makes these visits. As a part of the pardon application, friends and civic leaders wrote to the board about Jelly Roll's transformation and generosity. Davidson County Sheriff Daron Hall, who runs Nashville's jail, wrote that Jelly Roll had an awakening in one of the jails he managed. Live Nation Entertainment CEO and President Michael Rapino also wrote in his favor, pointing out all the money he's given from his performances to charities for at-risk youth. One of the reasons Jelly Roll gave for needing a pardon is to be able to travel to Canada to perform, which his criminal record makes difficult. Currently, he would need to apply for a special permit that can include long wait times for a decision, according to a letter from an immigration attorney submitted with his clemency packet. "I want to be an inspiration for people who are now where I used to be - to let them know that change is truly possible," Jelly Roll told the board. "One of the reasons I'm asking for your recommendation for this pardon is because I'm looking to take my message of redemption through the power of music and faith through the rest of the world." He said he would use the pardon for much more than going on tour, though. "I'll still be using this same pardon, God willing, to go do missionary work in my 50s and 60s," he said. Due to his criminal record, he told the board that every time he travels it "takes a team of lawyers and a mountain of paperwork to secure my entry into those countries." He said he recently was able to make his first tour in Canada and took his first trip to the United Kingdom, where he spoke about a rehabilitation program. The parole board began considering Jelly Roll's pardon application in October 2024, which marks at least five years since his sentence expired. Lee, a Republican, has issued more than 90 pardons since taking office in 2019, all of them since 2021.
Yahoo
23-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Jelly Roll could receive Tennessee state pardon for crimes tied to early life
The Brief The Tennessee Board of Parole voted unanimously to recommend a pardon for Jelly Roll. The country artist, born Jason DeFord, has a criminal record dating back to his youth. Gov. Bill Lee will now decide whether to grant the official pardon. NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Country star Jelly Roll is one step closer to receiving a state pardon for crimes he committed as a teenager and young adult. The Tennessee Board of Parole voted unanimously on Tuesday to recommend clemency for the Nashville native, whose journey from incarceration to music stardom has become central to his public identity. The final decision now rests with Gov. Bill Lee, who has issued more than 90 pardons since taking office in 2019, according to state records. The backstory Born Jason DeFord, the artist's most serious conviction came at age 17, when he and two others were involved in a 2002 robbery. Though unarmed, Jelly Roll entered a home with his accomplices—both carrying guns—and helped take $350 and a wallet. He served one year in prison and additional time on probation. A later 2008 drug arrest involving marijuana and crack cocaine led to eight years of court supervision. He also has two misdemeanor convictions: one for driving without a license, and one for drug paraphernalia. Despite these early run-ins with the law, Jelly Roll has since rebuilt his life and career. His 2023 album "Whitsitt Chapel" and hit song "Need a Favor" catapulted him to crossover success, earning him CMT and CMA awards along with four Grammy nominations. What they're saying Supporters who spoke at Tuesday's hearing included Nashville Sheriff Daron Hall, who praised Jelly Roll's community service and advocacy. For the artist, the moment was deeply meaningful. "This was incredible," he said, according to a recording of the meeting. "I pray this goes through. But today was special for me, regardless." Jelly Roll emphasized that the pardon would help ease the burden of international travel—especially to Canada—where his criminal record often complicates entry. A letter from an immigration attorney, submitted with his clemency application, explained the long wait times associated with special travel permits. Still, the artist made clear the pardon would serve a larger purpose. "I'll still be using this same pardon, God willing, to go do missionary work in my 50s and 60s," he said. Why you should care Since rising to fame, Jelly Roll has made it a point to give back. He frequently visits jails and rehab centers before concerts, often without media coverage. In Winnipeg, he spent part of the day playing basketball with kids at a youth center—hours before taking the stage. Those close to him say the outreach is real and consistent, driven by a desire to help people in situations like the one he escaped. Under Tennessee law, a pardon is a formal statement of forgiveness, available to those at least five years removed from their most recent sentence. The parole board began reviewing Jelly Roll's application in October 2024. One board member recused themselves, but the remaining members voted unanimously in favor of the pardon. The Source This report is based in part on original reporting from the Associated Press, which covered the Tennessee Board of Parole's April 22, 2025 hearing and recommendation in favor of Jelly Roll's pardon. Additional details were drawn from the board's recorded proceedings and publicly available clemency materials outlining the artist's criminal history and post-incarceration advocacy work.
