🎶 Meet Jelly Roll
The gritty country star is using his platform to sing about grace and redemption
Hi ReligionUnplugged readers,
Jelly Roll, a Nashville-based musician with country, hip-hop, rock and gospel influences, has traveled a rocky road to get to where he is today. He’d taken hard drugs by the time he was 15 and spent many of his younger years in prison. An addict and a felon, the musician says he’s “just singing songs of the broken.”
Many of his songs address his relationship with God and the redemption that comes from that.
He won three CMT awards for his song “Son of a Sinner” in 2023, which details this difficult redemption well:
Might pop a pill and smoke and maybe drink.
Talk to God and tell Him what I think.
At first He's gonna hate me.
But eventually He'll save me.
Contributor Princess Jones wrote about the ABC-produced documentary “Save Me” that chronicles Jelly Roll’s career in music and his redemption journey — which he says is still in progress.
See what she has to say about the documentary and learn more about Jelly Roll in today’s top story!
‘Save Me’ Documentary: Jelly Roll’s Raw And Honest Path To Redemption
(REVIEW) Jelly Roll, a musician with an unusual name, featured in the documentary “Save Me” shows a redemption journey still in progress. The gritty country singer rose to fame with his breakout song “Save Me.” The documentary gives fans a look into a troubled person that has chosen to walk a path of grace through music. by Princess Jones
Sir James MacMillan’s Masterpiece ‘Fiat Lux’ Finally Takes The Stage In California
If you live in or near Orange County, California — or can be there June 15, 16, 17 or 20 — you might want to attend one of the premiere performances of “Fiat Lux” (Latin for “Let there be light”) by Sir James MacMillan, a work for soprano, baritone, mixed chorus, organ and orchestra based on a five-part libretto by poet Dana Gioia. by Roseanne T. Sullivan
What Is Christian About (Swedish) Christian Democrats?
(OPINION) Given the insistence of this party that it is based on Christian values, it is worth exploring what those values are, is there a coherent set of ideas that this party stands for, and how these values and ideas relate to something we could meaningfully call Christianity. by Davor Džalto
Bethlehem Icon Centre Keeps Alive An Ancient Artistic Tradition
Tourists and pilgrims despairing about finding a genuine souvenir of their visit to the Holy Land that wasn’t mass-manufactured in China, India, Turkey or Egypt might wish to consider visiting the Bethlehem Icon Centre — perhaps the only school in the Middle East that teaches the ancient Christian tradition of iconography. by Gil Zohar
Catholic Art In A Secularized World: Meet Dana Gioia And Frank La Rocca
(ANALYSIS) Besides being close in age, Gioia (born 1950) and La Rocca (born 1951) are both half Italian on their fathers’ side, and both are from working class families. Gioia’s ethnic heritage on his mother’s side is Mexican. La Rocca’s ethnic heritage on his mother’s side is Ukrainian. Both poet and composer are roughly of the same generation as Archbishop Cordileone, who was born in 1956. by Roseanne T. Sullivan
Templeton Charity Foundation Expands Work On Forgiveness And Mental Health
While the concept of what forgiveness entails precisely seems to vary by region and people group, a part of the foundation’s research suggests that it can be broadly categorized as “a process in which positive other-oriented affective responses (e.g., compassion or love) supplant the negative affective responses that characterize unforgiveness (e.g., vengeful or avoidant motives, anger and fear) and are associated with stress.” by Rafa Oliveira
What ‘Barry’ Has To Say About Faith And Redemption
(REVIEW) Bill Hader’s phenomenal four-season show has concluded its final season on Max. And the show — always one that dealt deeply with ideas of sin and redemption — chose to end in a deeply religious and Christian fashion, which only made its themes and social commentary stronger. by Joseph Holmes
Discovering Bangalore’s Multifaceted Identity Through Its Churches
(TRAVEL) It's a city of contrasts, where vestiges from the colonial era are juxtaposed with cutting-edge technological advancements. Amid this dynamic backdrop, Bangalore’s churches stand out as remarkable symbols of the city’s diverse cultural and religious tapestry. Each church tells a distinct story of architectural splendor intertwined with a deep spiritual heritage. by Mariya Rajan
📺 The Legacy Of Pat Robertson, Televangelist Known For Mixing Religion And Politics 🔌
In this week’s Weekend Plug-in, Bobby Ross Jr. covers the death of Pat Robertson at age 93. Plus, as always, catch up on all the best reads and top headlines in the world of faith.
Don’t forget! You can subscribe to receive Bobby’s column directly in your inbox on Friday mornings!
Thanks again for reading!
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