Jelly Roll Says He Would Quit Music If God Asked Him To
Jelly Roll says he will leave music behind completely if he believes God is asking him to do it.
The country star said if he is told to go and work at a homeless shelter in Paducah, Kentucky, he is out of music and will never be seen again, according to Billboard.
He made the remarks backstage at the Grand Ole Opry, the long-running Nashville country music institution, in an interview with Y'all Access Radio host Kelly Sutton. The interview was shared on social media on Sept. 13.
Referring to himself by both his given name, Jason DeFord, and his stage name, Jelly Roll said everything he had wanted to do in the music business has been done. He said he now needs to talk to God about whether to stick around or what to do next.
He said he is planning to take time off from the road to work on himself. He wants to step away from the chaos of the business so he can hear clearly what he is being asked to do next.
He described himself as completely sober and clear-headed. He said he is deep in therapy and deep in his Bible.
The comments add detail to earlier statements about a break from touring. Jelly Roll told CountryNow in early August that he expected to step away for “a year or two” after his final show, and People reported that he planned to use the time to heal as the tour ended.
His current standing in the industry is substantial. He is a member of the Grand Ole Opry, has won three Grammy Awards, and has placed 22 songs on the Billboard Hot 100, the US chart that ranks the most popular singles each week.
The interview came around a surprise Opry appearance with Carly Pearce. The pair performed Dolly Parton’s “9 to 5” to honour Parton.
Jelly Roll also said he remains grateful for every second in the spotlight, according to American Songwriter.
For fans, this means a pause rather than a farewell for now. He has not announced a final date or a retirement, only that faith and health will shape what comes after the road.
Separately, an online claim that he had donated $5 million to build homeless shelters in Tennessee was found not to be true by Snopes.
