Jelly Roll says he would quit music industry if God told him to

By Leonardo Blair, Senior Reporter Thursday, September 17, 2026

Outspoken Christian country singer Jelly Roll, whose name is Jason Bradley DeFord, said he would quit the music industry if God told him to do it.

The 41-year-old reformed ex-convict, who won three Grammy Awards earlier this year for his work, told Y’all Access Radio in a recently shared interview from backstage at the Grand Ole Opry in March that if God told him to take a different path, he would.

“Everything that Jason [DeFord] 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,” said the singer.

“If God tells me to go work at a homeless shelter in Paducah, Kentucky, I’m outta here … 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.”

He received his three Grammy Awards this year for: Best Contemporary Country Album for his 2024 album, Beautifully Broken, Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song with Brandon Lake for "Hard Fought Hallelujah," and Best Country Duo/Group Performance with Shaboozey for "Amen."

In accepting the award for Best Contemporary Country Album, Jelly Roll had high praise for his wife, former OnlyFans star Alisa DeFord, and Jesus.

“I know they’re going to try to kick me off here, so just let me try to get this out. First of all, Jesus, I hear you and I’m listening, Lord. I am listening, Lord,” Jelly Roll declared from the stage at the show, which was broadcast to millions of people around the world.

“I would have never changed my life without you. I’d have ended up dead or in jail. I’d have killed myself if it wasn’t for you and Jesus. I thank you for that,” he continued. “There was a time in my life, y’all, that I was broken. That’s why I wrote this album. I didn’t think I had a chance, y’all. There [were] days that I thought the darkest things. I was a horrible human.”

He then held up a pocket-sized Bible and delivered a moving message, saying that “Jesus is for everybody.”

“There was a moment in my life that all I had was a Bible this big and a radio the same size and a 6-by-8-foot cell. And I believe that those two things could change my life. I believe that music had the power to change my life. And God had the power to change my life,” he said.

“I want to tell y’all right now, Jesus is for everybody,” he declared. “Jesus is not owned by one political party. Jesus is not owned by no music label. Jesus is Jesus, and anybody can have a relationship with Him. I love you, Lord.”