Jelly Roll to donate Grammy to Nashville Juvenile Detention Center for inspiration

Jelly Roll is planning to give one of his 2026 Grammy Awards to a special place that helped shape his early music career.

The country star’s wife, Bunnie Xo, told Entertainment Tonight that one of his new trophies will go to the Davidson County Juvenile Detention Center in Nashville. 

“I know he’s gonna give one to the [Davidson County Juvenile Detention Center]… to give them a little inspiration and let them, you know, have a Grammy to themselves,” she said.

Jelly Roll, born Jason DeFord, won three Grammys on Sunday, Feb. 1: Best Country Duo/Group Performance for “Amen” with Shaboozey, Best Contemporary Country Album for Beautifully Broken, and Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song for “Hard Fought Hallelujah” with Brandon Lake.

Bunnie quipped about the other two trophies: “I’m getting one for sure because I feel like I earned it. Teamwork makes the dream work, baby. But he’s so special.” When ET host Kevin Frazier reacted to Jelly’s generosity, she added, “That is my husband. That’s what he does.”

Jelly grew up in Nashville and first discovered music while spending time at the Davidson County Juvenile Detention Center, where he was jailed multiple times as a teenager. He has openly credited those experiences with inspiring his artistry. 

In a 2022 interview with People, he said, “I was in and out of there for about three, three and a half years… that was the most impactful thing that ever happened in my life. The darkest moments of my life still were being that 15-year-old scared kid spending Thanksgiving away from his family.”

The donation of a Grammy continues Jelly’s long-standing commitment to giving back to the facility that shaped his musical journey.