Jelly Roll to Donate Grammy to Nashville Jail

Country singer plans to give one of his three awards to the Davidson County Sheriff's Office to inspire others.

Feb. 5, 2026 at 6:31am

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Jelly Roll, the country singer who won three Grammys at this year's awards ceremony, announced that he plans to donate one of his trophies to the Davidson County Jail in Nashville, where he was incarcerated around 40 times before finding fame. The singer, whose real name is Jason Bradley DeFord, said he wants the Grammy to serve as a beacon of hope for those currently incarcerated, showing that there is life after serving time.

Why it matters

Jelly Roll's decision to donate one of his Grammys to the local jail where he was previously incarcerated multiple times highlights his personal journey from a troubled past to musical success. By sharing his award with the community, Jelly Roll aims to inspire others who may be facing similar challenges and demonstrate that redemption and transformation are possible.

The details

In a recent interview, Jelly Roll said he plans to keep one of his Grammys at his studio, as that was his lifelong dream. The second Grammy, he said, will go to his wife. The third, however, will be donated to the Davidson County Sheriff's Office, to be displayed at the local jail where Jelly Roll was incarcerated around 40 times for various offenses, including possession with intent to distribute and aggravated robbery, before turning his life around.

  • Jelly Roll won three Grammys at the awards ceremony on Sunday, February 1, 2026.
  • In a Wednesday, February 4, 2026 interview, Jelly Roll announced his plans to donate one of his Grammys to the Davidson County Jail.

The players

Jelly Roll

A country singer whose real name is Jason Bradley DeFord. He won three Grammys at the 2026 awards ceremony, including Best Contemporary Country Album for his 2024 LP "Beautifully Broken." Jelly Roll has been open about his past criminal history, which included around 40 incarcerations before he turned his life around.

Daron Hall

The sheriff of Davidson County, Tennessee, where Jelly Roll plans to donate one of his Grammys to the local jail.

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What they’re saying

“I think I'm going to give the second one to the county sheriff, Daron Hall, to put at the jail. So people know there's life after.”

— Jelly Roll, Country Singer

“His story is remarkable, and it's a redemptive, powerful story, which is what you look for and what you hope for.”

— Bill Lee, Tennessee Governor

What’s next

The Davidson County Sheriff's Office will receive one of Jelly Roll's Grammy awards to display at the local jail, providing inspiration to current inmates.

The takeaway

Jelly Roll's decision to donate one of his hard-earned Grammys to the jail where he was previously incarcerated demonstrates the power of redemption and the ability to turn one's life around, even after facing significant challenges. His gesture aims to inspire others who may be struggling and show that there is hope beyond the darkest of circumstances.