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\n\tJelly Roll<\/a>\u2019s winding path to country stardom<\/a> is both a familiar and distinct one: A troubled past, marred by drug use and drinking, and several stints in prison, followed by a deluge of staggering success. Since breaking through in 2020 with his viral hit \u201cSave Me,\u201d Jelly Roll\u2019s steady rise has carried the air of a redemption arc, one that may have reached a zenith this month.<\/p>\n \n\tIn early December, Jelly Roll went on The Joe Rogan Experience<\/em>, where he was surprised with one of country music\u2019s top honors: An invitation to join the Grand Ole Opry<\/a>. The message was even delivered by singer-songwriter Craig Morgan, a longtime friend and Opry member. <\/p>\n \n\tIn a pre-recorded video message, Morgan recalled first meeting Jelly Roll at the Opry and said how honored he was to learn that his music had helped Jelly Roll \u201cget through some really tough times.\u201d \u2014 which is one thing, Morgan added, \u201ccountry music does really well.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n \n\tJelly Roll fought back tears as he responded to the news: \u201cIt don\u2019t get no bigger in country music, bubba,\u201d he said. \u201cThat\u2019s as big as it gets. Fucking Grand Ole Opry, dog.\u201d Soon, excitement took over as Jelly Roll exclaimed: \u201cI bet I\u201dm the first person to ever get invited to the Grand Ole Opry on a podcast!\u201d<\/p>\n \n\tLater on Instagram, Jelly Roll added, \u201cI\u2019m honored beyond words and I can\u2019t stop pinching myself. To everyone at the Opry, y\u2019all are like family to me. To Craig Morgan, no matter how many times I say it i\u2019ll never be able to tell you enough how much this has all meant to me.\u201d (An exact date for Jelly Roll\u2019s Opry induction ceremony hasn\u2019t been announced yet.)<\/p>\n \n\tJust over a week later, Jelly Roll received some equally momentous news: Tennessee Governor Bill Lee signed a pardon<\/a> that wiped the musician\u2019s criminal record. <\/p>\n \n\tJelly Roll (born Jason DeFord) spent significant time behind bars during his early 20s on a mix of drug and robbery charges. Though Jelly Roll has talked often about how his incarceration changed his life<\/a> and inspired him to pursue music, his criminal record has also presented one of the few impediments to his career, as it had made it logistically difficult for him to tour internationally<\/a>. (He finally was able to embark on some global dates this year.)\u00a0<\/p>\n