The country singer gave a rousing speech after winning the new artist of the year award at the 2023 CMA Awards, held at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena on Wednesday (Nov. 8).
As his name was announced, Jelly Roll gave wife Bunnie Xo a kiss, then hugged fellow nominee Zach Bryan before making his way up to the stage as his song “Need a Favor” – which he performed with Wynonna Judd to kick off the ceremony – played to accept the award.
Watch Jelly Roll’s acceptance speech for new artist of the year below:
New artist of the year was just one of the five awards that Jelly Roll was nominated for. He also received nods for single of the year and music video of the year for “Need a Favor,” male vocalist of the year and musical event of the year. The country star is also a finalist in several categories at the 2023 Billboard Music Awards, including the top new artist and top rock artist categories.
Jason Bradley DeFord, known by his stage name Jelly Roll, is an American artist who’s made a significant impact in the music world by fusing hip hop, country, and rock elements. His early life was marked by poverty and instability, which resonated with many fans who found comfort in his honest and gritty lyrics. Born in Antioch, Tennessee, in 1984, Jelly Roll’s journey has been a mixture of tough times and triumphs, shaping his music into a raw and heartfelt expression of the human experience.
He started rapping in his teenage years, refining his skills on the streets and eventually releasing his first mixtape, “Whiskey, Weed, & Waffle House,” in 2013. This mixtape, combining hip-hop rhythms with Southern storytelling, captured the music industry’s attention and established Jelly Roll as an emerging talent.
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Jelly Roll’s path to success has been filled with challenges. He has openly shared his battles with addiction and mental health, using his platform to support those going through similar struggles. His music has become a source of hope for many, giving a voice to those who often feel overlooked or misunderstood.
His past challenges and support for the new strugglers was visible in his speech where he said:
Most importantly, there’s something poetic about a 39-year-old man winning new artist of the year. I don’t know where you’re at in your life or what you’re going through, but I want to tell you to keep going, baby. I want to tell you, ‘Success is on the other side,'” he declared passionately, his voice getting louder with each line, the live crowd cheering him along. “I want to tell you, ‘It’s going to be OK!’ I want to tell you that the windshield is bigger than the rearview mirror for a reason, because what’s in front of you is so much more important than what’s behind you!
Jelly Roll
