No matter how you feel about his songs, there’s no denying that Jelly Roll has one of the most remarkable origin stories in country music.
Jelly Roll, formally known as Jason DeFord, is extremely vocal about his rise from a criminal background, addiction, and personal struggles to his most recent, insane weight loss transformation. Honorably, his years spent in and out of prison miraculously flourished into a massive career, blending his love for rap and country music. He often credits his success to his faith and the unwavering support of his wife, Bunny, both of which played a major role in helping him turn his life around.
Throughout it all, Jelly Roll has maintained his humble roots and continued to recognize this incredible climb, using his music as leverage to reach out to the communities deeply connected to his journey. In lieu of his continuing efforts in helping addiction recovery, mental health, and his local community, the Country Radio Broadcasters have announced that Jelly Roll is this year’s recipient of the Artist Humanitarian Award.
The award, first established in 1990, was created to “honor country artists whose philanthropic efforts have significantly improved the effectiveness and impact of the causes they support.” Formally presented during the 2026 Country Radio Seminar, March 18 to 20 in Nashville, he will join a long list of influential artists like Eric Church, Jason Aldean, Kenny Chesney, Luke Combs, Luke Bryan, and more.
This past year has seen no end to Jelly Roll’s charitable efforts, given he raised over $500 thousand for ACM Lifting Lives, donated 300 Thanksgiving meals to Nashville inmates, and most recently, donated one of his three Grammy trophies to a local county jail. He also continues to physically show up for these local jails, prisons, and mental health programs, to encourage and preach his comeback story.
Amidst all of his giving back and outstanding health goals of losing over 275 pounds, he has a hefty lineup of tour dates before him. Joining forces with Post Malone, the two are hitting the road on April 10 throughout July for the Big A** Stadium Tour.
Tour Dates:
Fri. April 10 – Fort Lauderdale, FL
Sun. April 26 – Indio, CA
Wed. May 13 – El Paso, TX
Sat. May 16 – Albuquerque, NM
Tue. May 19 – Waco, TX
Sat. May 23 – Baton Rouge, LA
Tue. May 26 – Birmingham, AL
Fri. May 29 – Tampa, FL
Sun. May 31 – Panama City Beach, FL
Fri. June 05 – Oxford, MS
Sun. June 07 – Myrtle Beach, SC
Tue. June 09 – Charlotte, NC
Fri. June 12 – Indianapolis, IN
Tue. June 16 – Toronto, ON
Sat. June 20 – Wildwood, NJ
Mon. June 22 – East Hartford, CT
Thu. June 25 – Cleveland, OH
Sat. June 27 – Milwaukee, WI
Tue. June 30 – Nashville, TN
Sat. July 11 – Fayetteville, AR
Wed. July 15 – Kansas City, MO
Fri. July 17 – Ames, IA
Tue. July 21 – Missoula, MT
Fri. July 24 – Edmonton, AB
Tue. July 28 – Salt Lake City, UT