Jelly Roll, whose real name is Jason DeFord, wants to be wherever God calls him, even if that means leaving the music scene.
“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,” DeFord said in a recently published interview. “If God tells me to go work at a homeless shelter in Paducah, Ky., I’m outta here, you know what I’m saying?”
He joked no one will ever see him again. He’s gotten CMA, ACM and Grammy awards, and he’s been inducted to the Grand Ole Opry. It’s all he’s ever wanted out of his music career.
“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.”
Related: Jelly Roll Celebrates Reaching ‘Unreal’ Career High
In July, DeFord said that he wants to take a long break from touring.
“This has truly been a lifetime experience for me,” he told a concert crowd in July. “And in a couple of nights, I go to Colorado Springs and do my last show for a year or two. I’m fixing to take some time off and heal. Thank you for the opportunity.”
He released a new single, “Hands Up,” this year and is said to be working on a new album. The album will be a follow up to his 2024 record, Beautifully Broken, Country Now reported.
The title of “Hands Up” contrasts his former life as a convict, and where he is now as a servant of God, Crosswalk reported.
“The moment my life truly changed is when I threw my hands up. I know a lot of folks will hear this and remember their ‘hands up’ moment as well,” DeFord said of the song.
DeFord’s willingness to follow God even if that means stepping away from career, shows where his priorities are. He’s in a new season of life, and we hope it leads somewhere good.
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