Tennessee Governor Pardons Country Star Jelly Roll After Long‑Road Redemption

A Nashville‑born musician whose past included robbery and drug convictions received a state pardon Thursday, a move that marks a significant milestone in his journey from prison to country‑music star.

The Pardon and Its Context

Republican Gov. Bill Lee granted a pardon to Jason Deford, better known as Jelly Roll, on Thursday. The decision came after a month‑long review that mirrored the process for other applicants. In April, the state parole board issued a non‑binding, unanimous recommendation for the pardon. Lee noted that the application “underwent the same month‑long thorough review as other applicants.”

The governor’s office highlighted that no one pardoned that day had a homicide or a sex‑related conviction, or had committed a crime as an adult against a minor. Lee added, “His story is remarkable, and it’s a redemptive, powerful story, which is what you look for and what you hope for.”

Jelly Roll’s Legal History

Deford’s convictions include a robbery at age 17 and drug charges at 23. The 2002 robbery involved a female acquaintance and two armed accomplices who stole $350 from a home. Deford, who was unarmed, received a one‑year prison sentence and probation. In 2008, police found marijuana and crack cocaine in his car, leading to eight years of court‑ordered supervision.

The pardon is not a release from prison—Deford had already completed his sentence—but rather a formal statement of forgiveness. It can help restore certain civil rights, such as the right to vote, and may ease the administrative burdens that accompany international travel for concert tours and Christian missionary work.

A Musician’s Rise and Advocacy

Jelly Roll, whose real name is Jason Deford, has built a career that blends country and rap. His 2023 album Whitsitt Chapel and crossover hits like “Need a Favor” earned him multiple CMT Awards, a CMA Award, and seven career Grammy nominations. Songs such as “Winning Streak,” about a first day sober, and “I Am Not Okay” explore themes of adversity and redemption.

He first fell in love with songwriting while in custody, describing it as a therapeutic passion project that “would end up changing my life in ways that I never dreamed imaginable.” Deford has testified before the U.S. Senate about the dangers of fentanyl, referring to his past drug‑dealing days as “the uneducated man in the kitchen playing chemist with drugs I knew absolutely nothing about.”

In an interview with the Associated Press, he said, “When I first started doing this, I was just telling my story of my broken self.” He added, “By the time I got through it, I realized that my story was the story of many. So now I’m not telling my story anymore. I’m getting to pull it right from the crevices of the people whose story’s never been told.”

His advocacy extends beyond music. While opening for Post Malone in Minneapolis, he visited the Hennepin County Jail to share his experience of incarceration and redemption with inmates. In a statement to lawmakers, he declared, “I was a part of the problem,” and added, “I am here now standing as a man that wants to be a part of the solution.”

Support From Local Leaders

Friends and civic leaders rallied for the pardon. Davidson County Sheriff Daron Hall, who runs Nashville’s jail, wrote that Deford experienced an awakening in one of the jails he managed. Hall said in a phone interview, “I think he has a chance and is in the process of rehabilitating a generation, and that’s not just words.” He continued, “I’m talking about what I see we need in our country, is people who accept responsibility, accept the fact that they make mistakes and accept the fact that they need help.”

Live Nation Entertainment CEO and President Michael Rapino highlighted Deford’s charitable contributions, noting that the musician has donated proceeds from performances to charities for at‑risk youth.

Attorney David Raybin represented Deford in the pardon case.

The Governor’s Meeting

Deford and Lee met for the first time at the governor’s mansion on the day of the pardon. They hugged in front of a lit Christmas tree and a fireplace decorated with holiday garlands. The meeting underscored the personal nature of the clemency decision.

The Bigger Picture

Tennessee’s clemency tradition often focuses on the holiday season. Lee has issued pardons for decades, typically during Christmas. The state’s pardon process allows the governor to specify terms, and it can restore civil rights while acknowledging that the individual has already served time.

Deford’s pardon is one of 33 that Lee granted that Thursday. The decision reflects the state’s willingness to recognize rehabilitation and the potential for individuals to contribute positively to society.

Key Takeaways

• Jelly Roll, a Nashville‑born country‑rap star, received a Tennessee pardon after a month‑long review and a unanimous parole board recommendation.
• His convictions include a robbery at 17 and drug charges at 23, with prison and supervision sentences already served.
• The pardon can help restore civil rights and ease international travel for concerts and missionary work.
• Local leaders, including Sheriff Daron Hall and Live Nation’s Michael Rapino, praised his transformation and charitable work.
• The governor met Deford at the mansion, marking a personal acknowledgment of his redemption.

The pardon marks a significant moment in Deford’s story, illustrating how a state can formally recognize an individual’s efforts to change and to give back to the community.