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Jelly Roll Gets Strong Endorsement From Country Superstar

It’s no surprise that Jelly Roll is getting strong endorsements from Country Superstars and fans. J.R, Launa and Kevin got a chance to talk to Jelly Roll today.  Jelly Roll,…

Jelly Roll

NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE – SEPTEMBER 17: Jelly Roll performs at the Ryman Auditorium on September 17, 2021 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Jason Kempin/Getty Images for ABA)

Photo by Jason Kempin/Getty Images for ABA

It's no surprise that Jelly Roll is getting strong endorsements from Country Superstars and fans.

J.R, Launa and Kevin got a chance to talk to Jelly Roll today.  Jelly Roll, new to the country format has a new song called "Son of a Sinner" that we are playing.

The song is sort of an autobiography of Jelly Roll, who's real name is Jason DeFord.  The song is about a man who is trying to outrun his past.  He's trying to put his past behind him, but it's all too easy to slide right back into old habits.  Jelly Roll has been down the road of addiction and has struggled with temptations that come his way.  Some have described Jelly Roll as Shinedown meets Morgan Wallen.

We loved talking with him about his song he wrote with Ernest one Saturday night.  It wasn't planned, Ernest just stopped by one night and they ended up writing the entire song.  When he took it to country radio, he was laughed at because of his face tattoos and the kind of music he has previously made, until he met John Loba from Broken Bow Records (also the same label as Aldean, Chase Rice, LoCash)

Talking with him, you can see how excited he is about the country fans accepting him into the format.  Jelly Roll also got a strong endorsement from a Country Superstar.   He was so taken back when he heard that Keith Urban had nice things to say about him.  He knows he is different, said he comes from the "criminal side" and not your typical country artist, but is working on a country album and hopes the fans will love it.

No tours in the schedule at this time, he is just doing random shows, but after he finishes up his album, he hopes to jump on the road, I have a feeling we might see him with Morgan Wallen, Mitchell Tenpenny or Ernest, since he has formed a great friendship with them.

Launa is part of Tampa Bay's Hometown Morning Krewe on 99.5 WQYK. She has been with the station for 7 years and joined J.R. and Kevin on the morning show 4 years ago. Since then, they have been nominated for not only a CMA but also an ACM. Launa has been in radio for the past 28 years and in the Tampa Bay market for 22 of those years. While working in radio, Launa has also served as an entertainment reporter on a local TV show and has hosted many charity events in the community. Using her popularity from QYK, Launa loves to help raise money for shelter animals and has been a volunteer at local shelters for years. Launa loves the community and writes articles on local news, entertainment, and events and highlights people who are shining in Tampa Bay that she knows others like her would also be interested in reading.