Jelly Roll Seeks Pardon From Governor
Country singer Jelly Roll has never kept his past a secret. He’s been open about his criminal record. A lot of his songs are about redemption and he wants that for himself. He opened up about why he’s seeking a pardon from the Governor.
Jelly Roll Seeks Pardon From Governor
Jelly Roll’s criminal past inspires his music but he doesn’t think it should define him forever. The singer was in and out of prison during his youth. He estimated that he was had been arrested over 40 times in his life. One arrest was so serious, he faced 20 years in prison.
At 16, he was arrested for aggravated robbery and possession with the intent to sell. He received a year in prison and probation. After his release, Jelly Roll was determined to turn his life around. He turned to music. After an attempt at a rap career, he found unexpected success in the country music genre.
His hits like “I Need a Favor” and “Save Me” told his story and resonated with listeners. But his felony record also created hurdles in his life and career. He was only recently able to tour overseas in the summer of 2025. In an interview with Joe Rogan on the Joe Rogan Experience podcast, Jelly Roll revealed that he asked the Governor of Tennessee, Bill Lee, for a pardon.
“I am up for a pardon this year. My paperwork has been sent to my governor, and he considers pardons every December. So, every day, I’m just kind of praying,” Jelly Roll said. However, a pardon doesn’t mean a clean record.
He shared that Tennessee has a “zero tolerance” policy for convicted violent offenders. The singer wants to see changes to the legislature and a “path to redemption” for violent offenders who have changed their lives.
He Wants His Gun Rights Back
One of the main reasons Jelly Roll is fighting for a pardon is to get his right to own a gun back. “My goal is that I want to reach out to legislation eventually and go, ‘Hey, if nothing else, I’d like my right to hunt,'” Jelly Roll told Joe Rogan. He said hunting has helped him a lot. “It’s done a lot for my mental health. It’s done a lot for my physical health.”
But because of his record, he can’t own a gun. The singer also wants to be able to carry a weapon to protect his family. “I’m a million dollars plus a year in security. I’d cut that bill in half tomorrow if I had the right to carry,” he said.
This isn’t the first time Jelly Roll has used his fame to make a real change in legislature. He spoke before Congress in 2024 about the ongoing fentanyl crisis.
Jelly Roll said his pardon paperwork has been submitted to the Governor. Tell us in the comments if you think he should get a pardon despite his criminal record.
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Yes, with all that he has done, he definitely deserves a pardon. The Governor’s ability to pardon definitely applies in this case.
Absolutely, he deserves a pardon.
yes he deserves it
Yes, definitely. He has shown everyone that he’s changed and is no longer the person he used to be.
I believe anyone that has turned their life around like he has deserves a full pardon with the right to carry a gun to protect his family!