Jelly Roll inches toward pardon, but will wife Bunnie XO forgive his ‘Hell’-raising past?

Jason “Jelly Roll” Deford, the country music star famous for his raw lyrics and strong stage presence, is moving closer to putting his criminal past behind him. The Tennessee Board of Parole has unanimously suggested that Deford should receive a pardon for crimes he committed when he was young. This includes robbery and drug-related offenses.

One member of the board chose not to vote, but the rest agreed. However, this recommendation does not mean Deford’s record will be cleared automatically. The final choice belongs to Governor Bill Lee, who can either grant a full pardon, reduce his sentence, or deny the request completely, per People.

A pardon could affect more than just Deford’s professional life. It might also have a big impact on his personal relationships, especially his marriage to Bunnie XO. Her forgiveness and support have been a major part of his journey toward redemption.

Jelly Roll might get his pardon soon

As NBC pointed out, his music told some of his story. Save Me has the lines, “Somebody save me, me from myself/I’ve spent so long living in Hell/They say my lifestyle is bad for my health/It’s the only thing that seems to help.”

A pardon won’t undo the pain his past actions caused, but it could offer legal and symbolic closure, affecting his ability to travel for concerts and even his right to vote.

Jelly Roll once told People, “And I just realized that was the most impactful thing that ever happened in my life, and the darkest moments of my life still were being that 15-year-old scared kid spending Thanksgiving away from his family.”

Deford’s history with crime started when he was just 14 years old. Over the next ten years, he was arrested many times and spent long periods in jail. His most serious conviction came from a robbery. But his time in prison wasn’t wasted. He worked on his rap skills and later combined them with country music to create a style that helped him become famous.

Many of his songs are based on his own life, telling stories of struggle, addiction, and time behind bars. Even with his troubled past, Deford’s career has taken off. He has been nominated for four Grammy Awards, showing an incredible change from a young criminal to a successful artist. But his story isn’t just about his own success.

He uses his fame to push for good causes, speaking in prisons, rehab programs, and schools. Because of this work, he was given an award by the World Literacy Foundation at Oxford University, proving his dedication to helping others face tough situations. He also spoke to Congress about the dangers of fentanyl, showing his commitment to tackling serious social problems.

Deford has often talked openly about his struggles and how his actions hurt his family, especially when a prison guard told him his daughter had been born while he was locked up. He has said that prison made him take responsibility for his life and think deeply about his choices. He also wants to inspire others who are dealing with similar challenges.