Jelly Roll visited a jail during his Beautifully Broken tour, and while he was meeting the inmates, he had a “unique experience” that moved him to tears.
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The country music singer told his story to an audience in Charlottesville, Va. He explained that he visits a jail, rehab center, or homeless shelter in every city he plays. While in Charlottesville, he spent time in a jail and learned that the inmates had been using his music to heal.
“Today, I had the most unique experience I’ve ever had in a jail that shook me to my core,” he explained. “There’s a local within about an hour from here. We’d say a local county jail that has a program that is teaching people how to recover the right way—through therapy and through music and through help and through redemption and giving a real second chance.”
Jelly Roll said that when he walked into the jail, a group of inmates greeted him by singing some of his songs. He openly wept as the men and women “were singing their soul[s] out.”
Jelly Roll Was So Moved By His Experience Inside The Jail That He Invited Four Inmates To Join Him Onstage
The 39-year-old has been using his fame as a platform for rehabilitation since he released his breakout singles Son of a Sinner and Need a Favor in 2022. Jelly Roll was in and out of prison for most of his teenage and young adult life. But at 23, he learned he was going to be a father, so he turned to music and changed his life.
Jelly Roll understood the power of music, and he wanted the inmates to understand, too. So he asked the local sheriff if some of the inmates could “see the dream” and join him onstage. The sheriff agreed.
Jelly covered the costs of having four men enjoy the show and join him for a rendition of Unpretty.
“If anybody believes in second chances, it’s a f***ing Jelly Roll show,” he shouted to a cheering crowd as the singers walked onstage.
Jelly Roll’s gesture made fans weep right alongside him.
“Jelly roll probably just help save these men, this is something they will never forget it with help push them to stay on track! Just beautiful,” someone commented on a TikTok of the performance.
“I already like Jelly Roll,” another person added, “but the respect I have for him after this is unmatched.”
“I’m legitimately balling,” a commenter confessed. “This was so beautiful.”
“I don’t know these men’s stories but I don’t need to. They are finding their way and the look on their faces is amazing. Good work Jelly Roll♥️,” a fan praised.
This story’s featured image is by Howard Weiss via Shutterstock.
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