Jelly Roll and Willie Nelson are two popular names in the music industry, but are they related by blood? This is a question that many fans have been wondering about, especially after Jelly Roll released an album with Struggle Jennings, the grandson of country legend Waylon Jennings, called “Waylon & Willie”. In this article, we will explore the truth behind the rumors and find out if Jelly Roll is really related to Willie Nelson.
Who is Jelly Roll?
Jelly Roll is the stage name of Jason Bradley DeFord, a multi-genre singer and songwriter from Nashville, Tennessee. He started his career in hip hop, collaborating with artists like Lil Wyte, Tech N9ne, and Haystak. He later transitioned into country music, blending elements of rap, rock, and soul. He has released several albums and mixtapes, including “Year Round”, “Whiskey, Weed, & Women”, “Ballads of the Broken”, and “Son of a Sinner”. He is married to Bunnie Xo and has two children.
Who is Willie Nelson?
Willie Nelson is an American icon and one of the most influential country musicians of all time. He was born in 1933 in Texas and started his music career at a young age. He wrote his first song at 7, joined his first band at 10, and toured with a local band in high school. He joined the U.S. Air Force but was discharged because of back problems. He started college at Baylor University but dropped out because he was succeeding in music.
Nelson was one of the main figures of outlaw country in the 1960s and 70s, a subgenre that rebelled against the mainstream Nashville sound. He recorded albums like “Shotgun Willie”, “Red Headed Stranger”, and “Stardust” that made him a star. He also collaborated with other legends like Waylon Jennings, Johnny Cash, Kris Kristofferson, and Merle Haggard. He is known for his activism, philanthropy, and advocacy for farmers, marijuana legalization, and animal rights. He has won multiple awards, including Grammys, CMAs, AMAs, and a Kennedy Center Honor.
Are Jelly Roll and Willie Nelson Related?
The short answer is no. Jelly Roll and Willie Nelson are not related by blood or by marriage. They are two different artists who belong to different generations and genres of music. They might have some mutual admiration for each other’s work, but they are not family.
The confusion might have arisen from Jelly Roll’s album with Struggle Jennings, “Waylon & Willie”. The album was named to honor the legacy of Willie Nelson and Waylon Jennings, who were close friends and musical partners. Struggle Jennings is the grandson of Waylon Jennings, but he has no relation to Willie Nelson either.
According to Famous People Today, Jelly Roll said in an interview that he chose the name “Waylon & Willie” because he wanted to pay tribute to the two legends who inspired him and Struggle Jennings. He said:
> “We wanted to do something that was bigger than us. We wanted to do something that honored our heroes. We wanted to do something that honored our grandfathers.”
He also said that he met Willie Nelson once at a concert and that he was very humble and kind.
Do Jelly Roll and Willie Nelson Have Any Songs Together?
Jelly Roll and Willie Nelson have not recorded any songs together as of June 2023. However, they have both expressed their respect and admiration for each other’s music and legacy. Jelly Roll has cited Willie Nelson as one of his influences and inspirations, especially for his country rap style. Willie Nelson has praised Jelly Roll’s talent and versatility, and has invited him to perform at his annual Farm Aid concert.
Jelly Roll has also covered some of Willie Nelson’s songs, such as “Always on My Mind” and “On the Road Again”. He has also collaborated with other artists who have worked with Willie Nelson, such as Struggle Jennings, Waylon Jennings’ grandson, and Asleep at the Wheel, a country swing band that recorded an album with Willie Nelson in 2009 called “Willie and the Wheel”.
One of the songs on that album was “I Ain’t Gonna Give Nobody None O’ This Jelly Roll”, a jazz standard from the 1910s. The song is a playful duet between Willie Nelson and Ray Benson, the leader of Asleep at the Wheel, about not sharing their sweet treats with anyone else. The song has nothing to do with Jelly Roll the rapper, but it is a funny coincidence that they share the same name.
According to Genius, the song was written by Spencer Williams, a pianist and composer who also wrote “Basin Street Blues” and “Royal Garden Blues”. The song was popularized by Clarence Williams’ Blue Five in 1923, featuring Louis Armstrong on cornet and Sidney Bechet on soprano saxophone. The song has been recorded by many other artists over the years, such as Fats Waller, Louis Armstrong, Bessie Smith, Bobby Darin, and Dr. John.
