Jelly Roll might as well be a full-time Christian artist at this point. To call him formally country feels dishonest and disingenuous to his mission statement as an artist. Not to mention, he's a long way from satisfying that George Strait and Willie Nelson kick. What he wants out of music is much bigger than genre. It's evident in who he's inspiring in different fields too.
Videos by Wide Open Country
Recently, Jelly Roll spoke with Brandon Lake for an interview with K-Love. There, they talk about the superstar's crossover with Brooks & Dunn at the CMA Awards and the importance of faith. Lake was especially mind-blown to see Jelly (real name Jason Bradley DeFord) and company introduce the gospel on such a stage. Moreover, that's the exact kind of reaction the country heavyweight was banking on in the first place.
Jelly Roll Expresses The Importance of His Faith as a Christian
DeFord details how he just wants to be the person to spark the dialogue on faith. "I think it's our jobs in faith to push that envelope. Those conversations need to be created. I can tell you what's also happening is millions of people like me are finding a safe place right now in God. I'm getting messages like, 'I'm a fence-riding Christian too and I kind of believe. You make me feel safe talking about God again,'" Jelly Roll explains.
He looks at it through the lens of a door to door preacher. Regardless of hit making and all of his success, his biggest sense of satisfaction comes from people who feel just a little bit closer to God. That's what he runs his shows for in the end. "To me, if nothing else came of this song, if it didn't end up being the hit it's becoming, if it just would have brought a few more people to Him, (it's worth it). The idea of a guy at the Jelly Roll show drinking a beer and singing this song with conviction is the exact thing I prayed for when I got on the song," Jelly Roll adds.
