Jelly Roll did not forget to look back as he celebrated his nods at the Country Music Awards 2023.
Roll garnered five nominations at the 57th CMA Awards, making him the most nominated male performer this year. He earned slots in the categories of New Artist of the Year, Single of the Year, Music Video of the Year, Musical Event of the Year and Male Vocalist of the Year.
His journey was not easy, though.
Jelly Roll Went Through Worse Before Historic CMAs Nods
In his interview with Fox News Digital ahead of the 2023 CMAs, Roll recalled the time he was imprisoned for the first time for theft when he was 14.
"I wouldn't be the man I am today if it wasn't for what I went through. I think it empowered me. I think it gave me my voice," he said. "It taught me a lot about overcoming. It taught me a lot about changing and the ability to change."
Roll - born Jason Bradley DeFord - was also imprisoned for two years for armed robbery charges when he was 18.
He called himself a "horrible human for decades," but he found his hope and changed his life to give a message to people through music. He added that he wants to give as much as he can in every way.
READ ALSO: People's Choice Country Awards 2023: Nominees, Date, Where to Watch
Jelly Roll Shares Thoughts After Nominations
Elsewhere in the interview, he spoke about how unreal it is to become the most nominated at this year's awards ceremony.
"You know, I didn't frankly... I don't know if I expected to even be nominated, you know, and to wake up and have the nominations, and then be the most nominated male? Then to turn around and be asked to open the actual show?" he went on.
Before his recent nomination, he won three CMT Music Awards for his hit track "Son of a Sinner."
See the other CMAs 2023 nominees here:
ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR
Carrie Underwood
Chris Stapleton
Lainey Wilson
Luke Combs
Morgan Wallen
SINGLE OF THE YEAR
"Fast Car" - Luke Combs; Producers: Luke Combs, Chip Matthews, Jonathan Singleton; Mix Engineer: Chip Matthews
"Heart Like A Truck" - Lainey Wilson; Producer: Jay Joyce; Mix Engineers: Jason Hall, Jay Joyce
"Need A Favor" - Jelly Roll; Producer: Austin Nivarel; Mix Engineer: Jeff Braun
"Next Thing You Know" - Jordan Davis; Producer: Paul DiGiovanni; Mix Engineer: Jim Cooley
"wait in the truck" - HARDY featuring Lainey Wilson; Producers: HARDY, Joey Moi, Jordan Schmidt, Derek Wells; Mix Engineer: Joey Moi
ALBUM OF THE YEAR
"Ashley McBryde Presents: Lindeville" - Ashley McBryde; Producers: John Osborne, John Peets; Mix Engineers: Gena Johnson, John Osborne
"Bell Bottom Country" - Lainey Wilson; Producer: Jay Joyce; Mix Engineers: Jason Hall, Jay Joyce
"Gettin' Old" - Luke Combs; Producers: Luke Combs, Chip Matthews, Jonathan Singleton; Mix Engineers: Michael H. Brauer, Jim Cooley, Chip Matthews
"One Thing At A Time" - Morgan Wallen; Producers: Jacob Durrett, Charlie Handsome, Joey Moi, Cameron Montgomery; Mix Engineers: Josh Ditty, Joey Moi, Eivind Nordland
"Rolling Up the Welcome Mat" - Kelsea Ballerini; Producers: Kelsea Ballerini, Alysa Vanderheym; Mix Engineers: Dan Grech-Marguerat, Alysa Vanderheym
SONG OF THE YEAR
"Fast Car" - Luke Combs; Songwriter: Tracy Chapman
"Heart Like A Truck" - Lainey Wilson; Songwriters: Trannie Anderson, Dallas Wilson, Lainey Wilson
"Next Thing You Know" - Jordan Davis; Songwriters: Jordan Davis, Greylan James, Chase McGill, Josh Osborne
"Tennessee Orange" - Megan Moroney; Songwriters: David Fanning, Paul Jenkins, Megan Moroney, Ben Williams
"wait in the truck" - HARDY featuring Lainey Wilson; Songwriters: Renee Blair, Michael Hardy, Hunter Phelps, Jordan Schmidt
FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
Ashley McBryde
Carly Pearce
Kelsea Ballerini
Lainey Wilson
Miranda Lambert
MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
Chris Stapleton
Cody Johnson
Jelly Roll
Luke Combs
Morgan Wallen
VOCAL GROUP OF THE YEAR
Lady A
Little Big Town
Midland
Old Dominion
Zac Brown Band
VOCAL DUO OF THE YEAR
Brooks & Dunn
Brothers Osborne
Dan + Shay
Maddie & Tae
The War And Treaty
MUSICAL EVENT OF THE YEAR
"Save Me" - Jelly Roll featuring Lainey Wilson; Producers: Zach Crowell, David Ray Stevens
"She Had Me At Heads Carolina (Remix)" - Cole Swindell & Jo Dee Messina; Producer: Zach Crowell
"Thank God" - Kane Brown featuring Katelyn Brown; Producer: Dann Huff
"wait in the truck" - HARDY featuring Lainey Wilson; Producers: HARDY, Joey Moi, Jordan Schmidt, Derek Wells
"We Don't Fight Anymore" - Carly Pearce featuring Chris Stapleton; Producers: Shane McAnally, Josh Osborne, Carly Pearce
MUSICIAN OF THE YEAR
Charlie Worsham
Derek Wells
Jenee Fleenor
Paul Franklin
Rob McNelley
MUSIC VIDEO OF THE YEAR
"Light On In The Kitchen" - Ashley McBryde; Director: Reid Long
"Memory Lane" - Old Dominion; Directors: Mason Allen, Nicki Fletcher
"Need a Favor - Jelly Roll; Director: Patrick Tohill
"Next Thing You Know" - Jordan Davis; Director: Running Bear
"wait in the truck" - HARDY featuring Lainey Wilson; Director: Justin Clough
NEW ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Hailey Whitters
Jelly Roll
Megan Moroney
Parker McCollum
Zach Bryan
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