Jelly Roll Says ‘Jesus Is Not Owned by One Political Party’ in Grammy Speech

This year’s 68th Grammy Awards marked the debut of a new category in the country music field: Best Contemporary Country Album. During Sunday night’s ceremonies, Jelly Roll was named the first winner in the category for his album Beautifully Broken.

After thanking his wife, Bunnie Xo — “I’d have killed myself if it wasn’t for you and Jesus” — Jelly Roll recounted his time in prison, in a “6 by 8 foot cell,” and how those dire days informed Beautifully Broken. “There was a time in my life when I was broken. That’s why I wrote this album,” he said onstage. “I was a horrible human.”

Then the man born Jason DeFord went into the proselytizing that has become a signature of his concerts and onstage appearances. “I believed that music had the power to change my life and God had the power to change my life,” he shouted. “Jesus is for everybody. Jesus is not owned by one political party…. Jesus is Jesus. Anybody can have a relationship with him.”

Jelly Roll faced off against fellow nominees Kelsea Ballerini (Patterns), Tyler Childers (Snipe Hunter), Eric Church (Evangeline vs. the Machine), and Miranda Lambert (Postcards From Texas). Earlier on Sunday, Jelly Roll won another Grammy, for Best Country Duo/Group Performance for “Amen” with Shaboozey. The “A Bar Star (Tipsy)” singer dedicated his Grammy to the “children of immigrants.” “This is also for those who came to this country in search of better opportunity to be a part of a nation that promised freedom for all and equal opportunity to everyone willing to work for it. Thank you for bringing your culture, your music, your stories, and your traditions here,” Shaboozey said. “You give America color.”
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The introduction of the Best Contemporary Country Album category was to help distinguish mainstream country from more traditional sounds, and came a year after Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter album earned her a win for Best Country Album in 2025.

The nominees for Best Traditional Country Album included Margo Price (Hard Headed Woman), Charley Crockett (Dollar a Day), Willie Nelson (Oh What a Beautiful World), Lukas Nelson (American Romance), and the winner, Ain’t in It for My Health, by Zach Top.