Jelly Roll is not really a pastor, but he certainly gave a powerful sermon at the Grammy Awards last Sunday evening (February 1, 2026). He had just won three of the top music awards, and he gave Jesus Christ the credit for turning his life around. In case you missed it (I always decide to miss the Grammys), I have posted the one minute video of it below. But first, a little bit about Jelly Roll.
Jason Bradley DeFord was born December 4, 1984 in Nashville, Tennessee. His father was a meat salesman and part-time bookie. His mother suffered from mental illness and addiction. When he was young, his mother nicknamed him Jelly Roll for his fondness of donuts. His fondness of food in general, and a weakness for addictions of any kind, resulted him growing to weigh 550 pounds by 2022. That year he started losing weight, and has now lost almost 300 pounds.
Jason was baptized at the age of fourteen, and around that time he began “dabbling in drugs.” He also stopped going to church. He said, “The same year that I got baptized, I got arrested, and that started what would be a 10-year cycle of incarceration, in and out.” This reminds me of a line in the 1983 movie Tender Mercies in which washed-up alcoholic country-western singer Mac Sledge (Robert Duvall) repents of his many sins and is baptized. After his baptism, someone asks Mac if he feels any different now that he has been baptized. He replies, “Not yet.” ‘Not yet’ for Jelly Roll either. From his teenage years into his early twenties he was arrested several times, spent time in jail on several occasions for various crimes, including drug possession, drug distribution, and aggravated robbery. Then something changed. You will hear about what changed him in the video below. But he got his life back in order, began his music career, got married, and somewhere along the line, became a Christian (or, recommitted his life to Jesus; whatever it is that happens between a lost soul and God).
Jelly Roll is still a little rough around the edges. In 2025 he said, “I might wear my faith a little different than other people, I might say things that other Christians don’t think are right to say, but ultimately, I have a heart for God and I have a heart for Jesus.” That heart for God was clearly seen last Sunday when he proclaimed his faith in Jesus at the Grammys with a courage seldom seen in that world. He was applauded for it, and he was criticized for it.
If you want to learn more about this fascinating man, his story is all over the internet. The three videos below will introduce him to you.
Jelly Roll’s acceptance speech at the Grammys:
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The official music video (and lyrics below) of his hit song “Son of a Sinner” (2021):
I never get lonely I get these ghosts to keep me company I took the rearview off of this old Ford So I only see in front of me
Now the past is out of sight and out of mind Swore I changed, now I’m back chasing these white lines.
(Refrain:) I’m just a long-haired son of a sinner Searching for new ways I can get gone I’m a pedal to the highway If you ever wonder why we write these songs
‘Cause I’m only one drink away from the devil I’m only one call away from home Yeah, I’m somewhere in the middle I guess I’m just a little right and wrong.
These back roads got me These pills pretend to be my friend I’m done for the last time I’m lying to myself again I always say that Now I’m on my way back here somehow I should know by now… (Refrain)
Mistakes I made, I paid for them in cash Walked a million miles on broken glass I’m feeling like I’m fading My heart’s been slowly breaking
Might pop a pill and smoke and maybe drink Talk to God and tell Him what I think At first, He’s gonna hate me But eventually He’ll save me… (Refrain)
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My favorite song by Jelly Roll; his 2023 hit “Need a Favor” (official music video and lyrics):
I only talk to God when I need a favor And I only pray when I ain’t got a prayer So, who the hell am I, who the hell am I To expect a Savior, oh If I only talk to God when I need a favor?
But God, I need a favor.
I know Amazing Grace, but I ain’t been livin’ them words Swear I spend most Sundays, drunk off my ass, than I have in church Hard cover King James only been savin’ dust on the nightstand And I don’t know what to say by the time I fold my hands… (first verse repeated)
Yeah, I owe you more than one and beggars can’t be choosers But I’ll pay for all I’ve done, just please don’t let me lose her… (first verse repeated)
Amen, amen Amen, amen
Hangin’ in there, just barely Throwin’ up prayers, like Hail Mary’s If You’re still there, Lord, spare me Oh my God, oh my God, Hail Mary
Hangin’ in there, just barely Throwin’ up prayers, like Hail Mary’s If You’re still there, Lord, spare me Oh my God, oh my God, Hail Mary… (first verse repeated)…
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Grand Ole Opry music video and lyrics for “Hard Fought Halleluiah” by Jelly Roll and Brandon Lake (2025):
Yeah, I don’t always feel it Yeah, but that’s when I need it the most So, I’ma keep on singing ‘Til my soul catches up with my song
There’s times when my hands go up freely And times that it costs, oh-oh There’s days when a praise comes out easy Days when it takes all the strength I got
I’ll bring my hard-fought, heartfelt Been-through-hell hallelujah (ooh, ooh) And I’ll bring my storm-tossed, torn-sail Story-to-tell hallelujah, oh ‘Cause God, You’ve been patient God, You’ve been gracious Faithful, whatever I’m feeling or facing So I’ll bring my hard-fought, heartfelt, it-is-well hallelujah, whoa-oh Hallelujah (ooh, ooh), hallelujah
I’ve wrestled with the darkness But I’m tryin’ to reach for the light Yeah, the struggle keeps me honest And it breaks down the walls of my pride
‘Cause faith isn’t proven like gold ‘Til it’s been through the fire, eh-eh My head, heart, and hands are feeling heavy But that’s when I lift them just a little higher… (repetition of lines)
