I first heard Jelly Roll on The Bobby Bones Show a few months ago. I was struck by three aspects of that interview: (1) this dude’s look (his size and head-to-toe tattooed appearance), (2) the story behind his rise to country music stardom, and (3) his unencumbered honesty. The way he responded to questions was refreshing – as if he was off-the-record talking to a close friend in private.
Super endearing, very honest, Jelly Roll had a magnetism that was undeniable. I would not, however, have recognized any of his music at that time.
Now, after several viral hits (on socials and on country music radio), Jelly Roll’s meteoric rise to the selling out arenas is the subject of a new HULU Documentary called, ‘Jelly Roll: Save Me’.
Even having known a bit about Jelly Roll’s past – a turbulent childhood with multiple stints in jail for drug related charges – watching him dive into details about his upbringing, mental health struggles, and his perspective on drugs was as raw as astounding.
Nothing seems to be off-limits for his candor: not his relationships with his wife, daughter, or his daughter’s mother; not Jelly Roll’s entourage’s equally shady past; not even the emotional interactions he has with struggling fans that see him as living proof that a comeback is possible.
Should your kids be watching with you?
I would be comfortable with my teens watching the show. Nonetheless, parents should note the movie has: lots of swearing, repetitive drug content (including actively smoking weed on camera), and is as foul-mouthed as you’d expect from such an honest character.
When you get through the vulgarity, teens can learn so much from Jelly Roll’s story – perseverance, hard work, developing healthy obsessions (to drown unhealthy ones), and about gratitude. There is nothing entitled about Jelly Roll – something that my household could use a dose of every now and again.
Whether you know Jelly Roll’s story or not, HULU’s portrayal of his road to a sold-our Bridgestone Arena show in Nashville is captivating – in spite of the cussing, smoking, and descriptions of situations that are impossible for most people like me to actually imagine.
If you love a redemption story, even one that is super-charged with the f-word, weed, and raw honesty, ‘Jelly Roll: Save Me’ is for you (and (maybe) your teens).
