Jelly Roll is using his newfound fame to make a difference in the lives of at-risk youth. Despite his growing popularity, Jelly Roll remains focused on his main objective: to help people who are struggling, just like he was.

Last year, Jelly Roll donated $250,000 to support youth who were locked up at Nashville’s Davidson County Detention Center, where he spent time as a teen. But he’s not stopping there. In an interview with the New York Times, he said, “That’s not even scratching the surface of my plan. I’m going to build halfway houses and transitional centers. That’s my real heart.”

For Jelly Roll, it’s devastating to think of all the years he lost while being incarcerated. “I just missed so much of life,” he says. “So, I want to be remembered as a guy that did something for the kids in this town.”

Jelly Roll will make his debut performance at the 2023 ACM Awards, which will be held Thursday, May 11th and broadcast live on Prime Video.

In addition to his performance at the ACM Awards, Jelly Roll is also planning a nationwide tour in support of his latest album, “Hustle & Heartbreaks.”

The 38-year-old artist born Jason DeFord has been turning his struggles into music for years. Now it has a bit more twang, and a lot more attention. https://t.co/QPqxIBvBTQ

— New York Times Music (@nytimesmusic) April 27, 2023