SALEM, Ore. (AP) — Country artist Jelly Roll is known for his sold-out concerts across the United States as part of his “Beautifully Broken” tour. However, earlier this week, he performed not in a large concert hall but at the Oregon State Penitentiary.
The acclaimed musician shared a video and several photos of his visit to the Salem prison on Instagram. In the footage, you can see him singing a cover of Johnny Cash’s classic song “Folsom Prison Blues” and interacting with inmates by signing autographs.
Jelly Roll mentioned that this was the first live music performance in the prison yard in two decades.
“I believe that when someone commits a crime, they should serve their time and be accountable for their actions. However, I also think that everyone deserves love, regardless of the mistakes they’ve made,” the 39-year-old expressed in his Instagram post.
Having faced incarceration himself when he was younger, Jelly Roll reflected on his past, sharing that he wrote his first song while he was in jail.
“There’s no better feeling than returning behind bars and singing for all of you,” he said to the audience.
His songs frequently delve into themes related to his challenging past and battles with addiction. One inmate in the video shared that Jelly Roll’s music significantly impacted his life, saying, “I heard ‘Save Me’ on the radio, and that’s when I decided to get clean,” referring to a track from Jelly Roll’s latest album.
Jelly Roll, whose real name is Jason DeFord, originally started his music career as a rapper before transitioning to become a respected country musician. In 2023, he received the New Artist of the Year award at the Country Music Association Awards.
“I vividly remember being in a dark place with no one showing us any hope for a brighter future,” he shared. “It felt incredible to bring some light into such a dark environment.”
