Jelly Roll on Doing What It Takes to Be a Changemaker: ‘I Know My Story Helps People — I’m Trying to Be a Good Steward’

variety.com:

Chris Willman Senior Music Writer and Chief Music Critic As Jelly Roll gets on the phone with Variety to discuss being honored as the Changemaker of the Year, he is preparing to have one of his biggest nights of the year: a late November homecoming show at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena that will include a slew of guest stars, capping a year-long headlining arena tour.

But the sold-out show is not the only thing on his agenda on this particular day. “I’m staring at the juvenile justice center that I was incarcerated in as a youth,” he says. “I’m pulling in the parking lot now, going in to feed a little Thanksgiving dinner to the kids before the show.

Just want you to know that I’m still making change, even after y’all gave me the award.” On and off the record, on and off tour, the rapper-turned-country-superstar is devoted to sending positive messages to people whose lives are as messed up as his once was.

Or even a little less screwed up than that; even if you’re just having a bad day and not a bad life, Jelly Roll has a therapeutic song for you.