Jelly Roll Receives Pardon From Tennessee Gov., Who Cites His “Remarkable” Story of Redemption

Country music sensation Jelly Roll received a pardon from Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee on Thursday for past charges of robbery and drug possession, restoring some freedoms to the Grammy-nominated artist and completing a redemption arc that has come to define his songwriting, brand, and advocacy.

Lee’s decision came after an outpouring of support from family, friends, and community members for the Nashville-based rapper-singer, whose birth name is Jason Deford. The Republican governor followed the guidance of the Tennessee Board of Parole, which on Tuesday voted unanimously to issue a nonbinding recommendation in favor of clemency.

“His story is remarkable, and it’s a redemptive, powerful story — which is what you look for and what you hope for,” Lee told reporters.

At Tuesday’s one-hour-and-45-minute Board of Parole hearing, several witnesses spoke on the singer’s behalf, including Nashville Sheriff Daron Hall. Reflecting on his time behind bars, Deford…