The chart-topping country star's ambitions to bring his music overseas are being complicated by his felony convictions, despite his inspiring journey from incarceration to stardom.
- Jun 6, 2024
AceShowbiz - Jelly Roll, the Grammy-nominated artist known for his hits like "Son of a Sinner" and "Save Me", is eager to take his high-energy performances beyond American borders. However, his past entanglements with the law are proving to be formidable obstacles.
During an insightful conversation with rock legend Jon Bon Jovi for "Interview Magazine", Jelly Roll shared his current struggles in securing international touring opportunities. "It's funny, America has finally agreed to let me leave and give me a passport, but some countries won't let me come because of my felonies," Jelly Roll revealed with a mix of optimism and frustration. He elaborated that his team is navigating complex legal barriers to facilitate his overseas tours, expressing hope that these issues will be resolved in his favor.
Jelly Roll's legal challenges stem from a history of drug charges and a felony conviction for aggravated robbery when he was just 16. "I never want to overlook the fact that it was a heinous crime," he confessed, reflecting on his turbulent past. "This is a grown man looking back at a 16-year-old kid that made the worst decision that he could have made in life, and people could have gotten hurt and, by the grace of God, thankfully, nobody did."
These encounters with the law have led Jelly Roll to strive for change, inspired significantly by the birth of his daughter, Bailee. He recalled the pivotal moment in 2008 when a prison guard informed him of her birth, igniting his resolve to transform his life. Since then, he has ascended to the upper echelons of the country music scene, marking notable achievements alongside personal growth.
Despite his criminal record making international tours complicated, Jelly Roll remains humble about his journey. "For the record, I'm a kid from Antioch, Tennessee, whose father never left the southeastern region until he was in his fifties," he said, illustrating his significant life progress.
