Jelly Roll says he’d leave music behind if God calls him elsewhere

Country singer Jelly Roll says he could turn his back on music altogether if that’s what he believes God wants for him next.

The Grammy-winning singer, whose full legal name is Jason Bradley DeFord, told “Y’all Access Radio” host Kelly Sutton in a March interview backstage at the Grand Ole Opry that he has already accomplished everything he set out to do in the music business and is now waiting on direction from a higher power. The interview surfaced publicly on Sept. 13.

“Y’all will never see me again,” he said, describing what would happen if he felt called to work at a homeless shelter in Paducah, Kentucky, instead of continuing his music career.

Jelly Roll said he’s spent recent months in therapy and studying Scripture, hoping to separate himself from the “chaos of the business” long enough to hear clearly from God about what comes next. He added that he’s sober and clear-headed as he works through the decision.

The remarks come after a year of significant personal and professional changes for the 41-year-old artist. In May, he filed for divorce from Bunnie Xo, his wife of nearly a decade; the split was finalized in Tennessee in July. Earlier this year, Post Malone postponed the opening weeks of the pair’s co-headlining stadium tour to finish new music, shifting Jelly Roll’s schedule along with it.

Despite the disruptions, Jelly Roll has had a record-setting year professionally. He won three Grammys in February, including best contemporary country album, and holds membership in the Grand Ole Opry alongside wins at the CMAs and the Academy of Country Music Awards.

He also drew backlash this summer for jabs at President Trump’s weight and approval ratings while guest-hosting “Jimmy Kimmel Live!,” though he later said he remains “pretty down the middle” politically.