I think the world is currently divided into two groups: people who are into Jelly Roll, and people who haven't discovered Jelly Roll yet.
Jelly Roll is a "new" artist from the Nashville area...but I put "new" in quotes because he's actually been writing and releasing music for over 10 years. The last year though, his career has really exploded. Earlier this year, he had a song go to #1 on the rock chart, and he's currently got a song on the country chart that's closing in on the top 20. His roots are in rock, hip hop, and country, and those sounds are all present in his music.
He's been very honest about his past struggles (which include prison time for drug-related offenses, and a child that was born while he was serving time), and I believe it's the authenticity in both his music and his personality that makes him such a breath of fresh air.
A couple months ago, he was in Tampa playing an event for our sister station, 98ROCK, and stopped by the building to meet us and thank us for playing "Son of a Sinner." I wasn't sure what to expect from this large, heavily-tattooed man, but what I got was a warm, funny, thoughtful guy who was quick to share about his past, his influences, his family, and what inspires him. If you ever have the pleasure of meeting Jelly Roll, you'll feel like long-lost friends within minutes. And he must've had a great mama, because he has the best manners of anyone I've ever met! I am so happy I got to chat with him again today!
He talked about the awesome gift his daughter got for him on Father's Day (spoiler: It's a billboard!), playing the Opry for the first time, and the troubles that led him to making music today. The dude is awesome, and I think you'll really love him, if you haven't heard of him already. Here's our unedited convo from this morning. And ICYMI, here's his segment on the Bobby Bones Show earlier this year.
Thanks Jelly for calling today!