Nashville country star Jelly Roll says he’s open to walking away from music entirely if he feels called by God to do something else — even if that means working at a homeless shelter in Paducah, Kentucky.
The Grammy winner, whose real name is Jason DeFord, made the comment in an interview recorded backstage at the Grand Ole Opry in March with Y’all Access Radio’s Kelly Sutton. The interview was published Sept. 13.
“Everything that Jason or Jelly Roll wanted to do in the music business, I’ve done now, so at this point, I really need to go talk to God and see if he wants me to stick around, or what he wants me to do next,” Jelly Roll said.
“If God tells me to go work at a homeless shelter in Paducah, Ky., I’m outta here, you know what I’m saying? Y’all will never see me again, and I’ll be working at a… he gave me everything I ever wanted, man — Grammys, ACMs, CMAs, I’m a member of the Grand Ole Opry, like God has done it.”
Jelly Roll said he’s reached nearly every milestone he set out to hit in country music. He rose from a difficult past to become one of the genre’s biggest names, with hits including “Son of a Sinner” and “Need a Favor.” Now, he says, he’s weighing whether music is still where he’s meant to be.
“I just got to go do a little bit of work on myself to make sure that I’m all the way ready,” he said. “I’m completely sober, though. I’m clear-headed, and I’m deep in therapy, I’m deep in my Bible, but I think that I got to separate from the chaos of the business for me to really hear what God wants to do for me next.”
A Turbulent Year
The remarks come after a year of significant change for the singer. Jelly Roll filed for divorce from Bunnie Xo on May 18, listing May 9 as their date of separation. The two met in 2015 and married in Las Vegas in August 2016; their divorce was finalized in July after nearly a decade of marriage.
He also drew political criticism this summer after guest-hosting “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” and making comments about President Donald Trump’s weight, fitness and approval ratings, joking, “Well, Mr. President, from one fat pig to another, take it from me that physical fitness is very important. And trust me, you’ll be happy to see your p—- again.”
Jelly Roll later pushed back on the idea that he had become a liberal voice. “Sure, I lean left on some things,” he said. “But like most folks, I’m pretty down the middle. I am a Christian. I am a country music singer. I’m a farmer. I’m a bow hunter.”
Career Milestones
In February, Jelly Roll won three Grammys: best contemporary country album for “Beautifully Broken,” best country duo/group performance for “Amen” with Shaboozey, and best contemporary Christian music performance/song for “Hard Fought Hallelujah” with Brandon Lake. He was also given the Country Radio Broadcasters’ 2026 Artist Humanitarian Award for his philanthropic work and advocacy.
