- Jelly Roll was invited to join the Grand Ole Opry during an appearance on The Joe Rogan Experience.
- Craig Morgan delivered the invitation via a prerecorded video played on the podcast.
- Jelly Roll broke down in tears and hugged Joe Rogan after accepting; an induction date has not been announced.
H2: How the invite happened
On Dec. 10, country star Jelly Roll (Jason DeFord) tearfully accepted an invitation to become a member of the Grand Ole Opry during his appearance on The Joe Rogan Experience. Host Joe Rogan played footage of Jelly Roll’s Opry debut and then showed a prerecorded message from Jelly Roll’s idol, Craig Morgan.
In the video, Morgan — who was sitting in an Opry House pew — congratulated Jelly Roll and thanked him for the positive difference he’s made in fans’ lives. Morgan then formally invited Jelly Roll to join the Opry family, calling it an honor to welcome him.
Jelly Roll put his face in his hands and wept before asking Rogan for a hug. “It don’t get no bigger in country music, bubba,” he said, wiping away tears. The emotional moment played out live on Rogan’s podcast, drawing attention across social platforms.
Embedded video (YouTube): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UWz6_CXt5T8
H3: Why the moment mattered
Jelly Roll told the Opry crowd in his 2021 debut that Craig Morgan’s music helped him through incarceration. Morgan’s song “Almost Home” resonated with him during that time, and Jelly Roll has said the music helped him cope and find purpose.
Hearing Morgan’s recorded invitation on Rogan’s show brought that story full circle: the artist who once slept in the same city where he would later perform was being formally welcomed into country music’s most storied institution.
H3: Who is Jelly Roll?
Jelly Roll, 41, is a Nashville native who rose from mixtape and independent rap roots into mainstream country success with hits like “Save Me” and “Son of a Sinner.” After making his Opry debut in November 2021, he has performed there multiple times and released the album Beautifully Broken in October 2024.
A formerly incarcerated man, Jelly Roll has become an advocate for prison reform and for vulnerable youth. Earlier in 2025 the Tennessee Board of Parole recommended a pardon that would clear his criminal record. He’s also announced plans to build a 100-acre rehab and mental health facility in Tennessee.
H3: When will Jelly Roll be inducted?
An official induction date at the Grand Ole Opry has not been announced. Fans can sign up for updates at opry.com/jelly-roll-signup. For now, the appearance on Joe Rogan’s podcast serves as the public invitation and a widely shared emotional milestone in Jelly Roll’s career.
Short, emotional and widely shared, the moment amplified Jelly Roll’s arc from hardship to recognition on one of country music’s oldest stages — with Joe Rogan’s platform broadcasting the invitation to millions.
Image Referance: https://www.tennessean.com/story/entertainment/music/2025/12/10/nashville-jelly-roll-opry-joe-rogan/87706804007/