Jelly Roll Revisits His Former Nashville Jail Cell, Reflects On Career Success: Watch

Jelly Roll's career has been on a rapid upward trajectory since he won his first Advertising sign No. 1 hit, “Dead Man Walking,” in 2021, garnering acclaim and commercial success, including three Country Airplay No. 1, winning New Artist of the Year at November's CMA Awards and more. In 2023, Jelly Roll was also featured on the cover of Billboard's Country Power Players issue.

But the Antioch, Tenn. native recently visited the place where he spent some of his most turbulent years…and the place that sparked the inspiration for so many of his songs.

In the context of a recent interview with CBS News Sunday Morning, Jelly Roll visited his former cell at the Metro-Davidson County Jail in Nashville. Since the age of 14, Jelly Roll has spent years in and out of juvenile and adult correctional facilities for crimes such as drug dealing and aggravated robbery. But he also had a passion for music, making hip hop mixtapes and giving them away to people he knew.

“There was a time in my life when I really thought this was it,” said the singer-songwriter, growing emotional as he spoke to CBS News Sunday MorningKelefa Sanneh. “And then coming here after being nominated for two Grammys, it just hits differently.”

He added, “I wrote hundreds of songs here. I wrote [the 2010 song] “Ridin' All Alone” chorus right here.”

She signed with BBR Music Group's Stoney Creek Records after BMG Nashville president Jon Loba heard “Save Me,” which appeared on her 2020 album Jelly Roll. Self-healing. In 2021, his song “Dead Man Walking” reached the top Advertising signMainstream Rock Airplay chart. He followed it up with three consecutive Country Airplay chart-toppers, “Son of a Sinner,” “Need a Favor” and a new version of “Save Me,” a collaboration with his BBR Music Group partner Lainey Wilson. His debut country album, Whitsitt Chapeldebuted at No. 2 on the Top Country Albums chart and No. 3 on the Billboard 200.

Heading into 2024, Jelly Roll is nominated for a Grammy for Best New Artist, as well as Best Duo/Group Performance, for 'Save Me'. Later this month, his new single, “Halfway to Hell,” will hit country radio on January 22nd.

Watch Jelly Roll's full interview below.