Jelly Roll Reveals He Was Ordered To Attend AA At 14

Jelly Roll, born Jason Bradley DeFord, has become a household name in country music, but his journey to the top is far from typical.

The 39-year-old country megastar recently opened up about his struggle with addiction and his rocky past.

In a candid interview, he revealed that at just 14 years old, a judge ordered him to attend Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) meetings. This decision would mark the beginning of his battle with substance abuse.

Keep reading for more details!

A Lifelong Connection to 12-Step Programs

Reflecting on his first experience with AA, Jelly Roll said, “Oh goodness, I don’t fully remember my first real meeting ’cause I was court-ordered at like 14.”

However, it didn’t take long for the Antioch, Tennessee native to find solace in those rooms.

He continued, “I definitely remember the first time I found solace in those rooms or the first time I got introduced to the concept of this… And how much stuff I’ve taken from them rooms.”

At such a young age, he was dealing with issues most kids couldn’t imagine, navigating addiction, legal troubles, and eventually, more than 40 arrests, many of them tied to drug-related charges.

But as he admits, those early experiences with AA and Narcotics Anonymous (NA) meetings left a mark.

Throughout his life, Jelly Roll has stayed connected to both Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and Narcotics Anonymous (NA), even though he doesn’t consider himself “textbook sober.”

He explained that attending meetings has provided him with invaluable lessons, saying, “I still think that there is something from it… the good ones are like good theater. They’ll make you listen, you’ll learn, you’ll laugh, and you’ll cry.”

He credits 12-step programs like AA and NA for giving him valuable life lessons that continue to shape him.

In his words, “I think everybody should experience one if you’ve never drunk in your life.”

His belief is that these meetings aren’t just for people struggling with addiction but can offer anyone insight into life’s struggles and resilience.

Jelly Roll’s music is often influenced by his experiences in these meetings, with songs like “I Am Not Okay” and “Winning Streak“ from his tenth studio album, Beautifully Broken, being directly inspired by his time in AA and NA.

“It was really hard for me to get away from those drugs,” he admitted in an interview with The New York Times. “But I still attend the meetings, even though I don’t share, I just sit quietly and appreciate the message.”

The Release of Beautifully Broken and Exciting Charity News

Jelly Roll’s anxiously awaited new album Beautifully Broken was released with much fanfare.

Taking to Instagram, Jelly Roll shared his excitement: “We’re gonna drop an album. It’s happening, y’all… I’m nervous but excited!”

In the same video, he revealed that pre-sales of the album raised a staggering $850,000 for charity, a milestone that left the singer in awe.

“That’s pretty much a million dollars, dude. I can’t even begin to wrap my head around what’s happening this year.”

The concept behind Beautifully Broken is deeply personal.

Jelly Roll shared that the album’s title and artwork were inspired by the Japanese art of kintsugi, which involves repairing broken pottery with gold.

“If something breaks, and it’s worth fixing, you fix it by filling in the cracks with gold. I honestly don’t think anything personifies this record better.”

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From Southern Rap to Country Stardom

Though he’s now a country music sensation, Jelly Roll started his career in 2003 as a southern rapper, spending years in the underground rap circuit.

His big breakthrough came when he decided to incorporate more country elements into his music, with his single “Son of a Sinner” propelling him to mainstream success.

Released in 2021 on his album Ballads of the Broken, “Son of a Sinner“ not only broke into the top 40 on the Billboard Hot 100 but also climbed to number one on the Country Airplay chart.

It was this success that encouraged Jelly Roll to lean fully into a country sound for his ninth album, Whitsitt Chapel (2023), which featured hit singles like “Need a Favor,” “Save Me” (a duet with Lainey Wilson), and “Halfway to Hell.”

Wearing His Heart on His Sleeve

Jelly Roll’s music is a raw reflection of his life. With album titles like Sobriety Sucks (2016), Addiction Kills (2017), A Beautiful Disaster (2020), and Ballads of the Broken (2021), it’s evident that he pours his personal experiences into his work.

He described his music as “real music for real people with real problems,” and his latest album Beautifully Broken follows the same theme, offering stories of struggle and messages of hope.

Jelly Roll has always been transparent about his journey, stating that his previous albums were about “growth and gratitude happening in my life,” and with Beautifully Broken, he aims to create music that “feels hopeful.”

Awards and Accolades

2024 has been a banner year for Jelly Roll. His music has resonated with both fans and critics, leading to several major awards.

He took home three CMT Music Awards for Male Video of the Year, Male Breakthrough Video of the Year, and CMT Digital-First Performance of the Year for his hit single “Son of a Sinner.”

Additionally, he was named New Artist of the Year at the Country Music Association Awards in November 2023.

A Devoted Family Man

Behind the scenes, Jelly Roll is also a dedicated family man. He’s been married to Alyssa DeFord, also known as “Bunnie XO,” since 2016.

The couple’s relationship has been a source of strength for Jelly Roll throughout his career.

Despite his tumultuous past, he has built a life of stability and love with his wife, all while balancing the demands of a rapidly growing career in the spotlight.

Tracklist for Jelly Roll’s ‘Beautifully Broken: Pickin’ Up The Pieces’

Conclusion

• Jelly Roll’s life is a powerful story of change, strength, and personal growth.
• From his difficult past, dealing with addiction and getting in trouble with the law, to becoming a popular country music star, he shows that it’s possible to turn your life around.
• His honesty about his struggles—like being ordered to attend AA meetings at just 14—has shaped who he is and the music he creates.
• Through albums like Beautifully Broken, he shares messages of hope and healing that many fans relate to.
• His success shows that no matter how tough life gets, you can always rebuild and come out stronger.

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