Jelly Roll Playing Oregon Prison Is ‘Chicken Soup for the Soul’ [Pictures]
Jelly Roll is not one to run from his past — in fact, he wears it on his sleeve.
While making a stop in Portland, Ore., on his Beautifully Broken Tour, the country singer visited the Oregon State Penitentiary. Not only did perform for inmates, but he spent time with them, as well, signing autographs and posing for photos.
He documented the moment on social media, saying he and a friend had been talking about doing a show like this for awhile, and it finally came to fruition.
It was the first time in 20 years there had been live music in the prison yard.
"It felt so good bringing a little light to such a dark place," he writes alongside the carousel of photos. "I am a firm believer that if we commit crimes we should do our time and be held accountable for our actions, but I also believe that every human deserves love no matter how bad of a decision they have made. It felt good to go love on these guys."
"I remember being in a dark place and no one ever coming through and showing us any hope of changing the path of our lives, if one inmate was inspired to do better by my presence yesterday it was worth my weight in gold to stop by and sing," Jelly Roll continues.
"It was chicken soup for the soul."
Jelly Roll on a Good Deed Tour
Known for his generosity, it's no surprise Jelly Roll has been spotted doing good deeds on his Beautifully Broken Tour. During his first tour stop in Salt Lake City, Utah, last week, he purchased some lemonade from some neighborhood kids and left a $700 tip.
Jelly Roll Plays Unreleased Track "Heart of Stone"
After the "I Am Not Okay" hitmaker announced his tour in February, many wondered if a new album was in the works, as well. In the months following that announcement, he teased a new project, but it wasn't until a week before the tour that he revealed plans for the Beautifully Broken album. It arrives Oct. 11.
A tracklist has yet to be revealed, but he gave fans a taste of the collection while in Portland. According to fan, who goes by geekypdx on social media, he sang a song called "Heart of Stone" while on stage at the Moda Center.
Watch the performance:
Jess hosts the syndicated radio show, Taste of Country Weekend, which can be heard on country stations nationwide. Tune in for all of the best new country music, spotlights on new tracks and emerging artists, plus Double-Downs on all of your favorites. The weekend is always better with a little Taste of Country in it.
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Gallery Credit: Billy Dukes