Backstage Country

Jelly Roll Shares His Heart and Thoughts On Faith

Jelly Roll has released a new song with Christian singer and pastor Brandon Lake called “Hard Fought Hallelujah.” Jelly posted a video clip of him talking with Brandon about this…

Jelly Roll is wearing a ball cap and a back leather jacket.
Michael Locassiano/Getty Images

Jelly Roll has released a new song with Christian singer and pastor Brandon Lake called "Hard Fought Hallelujah."

Jelly posted a video clip of him talking with Brandon about this faith on Instagram. He said in part, "This is so hard to talk about because I've been called a lukewarm fence rider. I've been called a cussing Christian. And I know that God's got a lot more to do with me, I know that; I know I got a long way to go. And I know that my heart was only to share the faith that changed my life. I might wear it a little different than other people. I might say things that other Christians don't think are right to say, but I have a heart for God and I have a heart for Jesus."

He captioned the video clip post, "But ultimately, I have a heart for God. HARD FOUGHT HALLELUJAH OUT AT MIDNIGHT! Pre-save to hear it first."

Fans reacted to his post, with one writing, "Love love love this! Being a believer in Jesus does not mean perfection!! He just wants our heart appreciate your honesty." Another inspired fan said, "God is using you Jason - letssss goooo !! This song is powerful, gives me chills!! Keep doing God’s work, brother!"

The song's powerful chorus lyrics: "I'll bring my hard-fought, heartfelt / Been-through-hell hallelujah (ooh, ooh) / And I'll bring my storm-tossed, torn-sail / Story-to-tell hallelujah, oh / 'Cause God, You've been patient / God, You've been gracious / Faithful, whatever I'm feeling or facing / So I'll bring my hard-fought, heartfelt, it-is-well hallelujah, whoa-oh / Hallelujah (ooh, ooh), hallelujah."

Jelly will appear on the new season of ABC's American Idol as the show's first-ever artist in residence. He is expected to make his debut during the show's “Hollywood Week” episodes and continue to appear through the rest of the season, which launches March 9.

Jelly posted a video of himself with Ryan Seacrest on his Instagram. In the video, Jelly lifts Ryan off the ground and carries him across a room to show his "energy" and excitement for his new role.

He captioned the clip, "Had to lift up @ryanseacrest just like I’m gonna lift up the @americanidol hopefuls! Honored to be Idol’s first-ever ARTIST IN RESIDENCE—mentoring with heart, soul, and real experience! I join the show during Hollywood Week, watch it all starting March 9 on ABC & streaming on Hulu! #americanidol."

Nancy Brooks has been working in the country music industry for almost 30 years. She has interviewed pretty much any country star you can think of. In the late 1990s, she started working with Dolly Parton. And yes, Nancy reports that Parton is as sweet as you would think. She loves her life in country music and has been backstage at every CMA Awards show since the late 1990s. Many of her stories are from her one-on-one interviews. She was there at the beginning of the incredible careers of many music superstars today, including Taylor Swift, Shania Twain, and Blake Shelton, and has interviewed them multiple times throughout the years.