SALEM, Ore. (AP) — Nation singer Jelly Roll has been enjoying sold-out exhibits throughout the U.S. as a part of his “Fantastically Damaged” tour. However earlier this week, his venue wasn’t a large area: it was the Oregon State Penitentiary.

The award-winning artist posted a video and images of his go to to the Salem jail on Instagram, displaying him singing a canopy of Johnny Money’s “Folsom Jail Blues” and signing autographs for individuals incarcerated on the jail.

Based on Jelly Roll, it was the primary stay music within the jail yard in 20 years.

“I’m a agency believer that if we commit crimes we should always do our time and be held accountable for our actions, however I additionally imagine that each human deserves love regardless of how dangerous of a choice they’ve made,” the 39-year-old wrote on Instagram.

Jelly Roll, who was incarcerated in his youth, stated he wrote his first music whereas behind bars.

“It by no means feels higher than to come back again behind a wall and sing a music for y’all,” he advised the gang.

His lyrics usually contact on his troubled previous and problems with dependancy, and in his video from the jail, one man speaks about how Jelly Roll’s music modified his life.

“I heard ‘Save Me’ on the radio, and I bought clear that day,” the person stated, referring to a music on Jelly Roll’s most up-to-date album.

Jelly Roll, whose actual identify is Jason DeFord, started his musical profession as a rapper earlier than turning into an acclaimed nation artist. In 2023, he received New Artist of the 12 months on the Nation Music Affiliation Awards.

“I bear in mind being in a darkish place and nobody ever coming via and displaying us any hope of adjusting the trail of our lives,” he stated. “It felt so good bringing a bit gentle to such a darkish place.”