Jelly Roll to Donate Grammy Award to Nashville Juvenile Hall as a Symbol of Redemption
Following a monumental night at the 2026 Grammy Awards, country star Jelly Roll is looking to transform his personal success into a source of hope for others. His wife, popular podcaster Bunnie Xo, recently shared that the musician intends to donate one of his three new golden gramophones to the Davidson County Juvenile Detention Center in his hometown of Nashville.
In a post-awards conversation with Entertainment Tonight, Bunnie Xo explained the heart behind the gesture. Having navigated a turbulent youth marked by incarceration, Jelly Roll wants to provide a tangible reminder of what is possible for those currently caught in the legal system.
“I know he’s going to give one to the juvenile center in Nashville to offer them a bit of inspiration—to let them have a Grammy of their own to look at,” Bunnie remarked. She praised her husband’s character, adding, “That is just who he is. He’s incredibly special.”
Injecting a bit of her signature wit, she also quipped about the remaining hardware: “I’m not sure where the other two are going, but I’m definitely claiming one. I feel like I’ve earned it! Teamwork makes the dream work.”
The ceremony, hosted at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, was a clean sweep for the Tennessee native. Jelly Roll triumphed in all three categories for which he was nominated, securing trophies for Best Country Duo/Group Performance for “Amen” (featuring Shaboozey), Best Contemporary Country Album for his acclaimed project Beautifully Broken, and Best Contemporary Christian Music Song for “Hard Fought Hallelujah” alongside Brandon Lake.
The night was deeply emotional for the couple. While accepting the award for Best Contemporary Country Album, Jelly Roll delivered a poignant tribute to his wife. Looking directly at Bunnie in the audience, he credited her with his survival and transformation, stating, “I would have never changed my life without you. I would have been dead or in jail.”
For Jelly Roll, placing a Grammy inside the walls of a detention center represents a profound full-circle moment. Between the ages of 14 and 24, he spent significant periods behind bars on charges including drug distribution and aggravated robbery. His journey toward redemption was formally recognized this past December when Tennessee Governor Bill Lee granted him a full pardon for his past crimes.
