Back Row L-R: BMI’s Clay Bradley, Tape Room Music’s Katherine Godwin, ASCAP’s Emilia James, Back Blocks Music’s Rakiyah Marshall, Rhythm House’s Vanna Moua, Big Machine Music’s Tim Hunze, Madfun Entertainment’s Alicia Pruitt, Tape Room Music’s Caroline Hodson, Sony Music Publishing’s Kenley Flynn; Front Row L-R: BMG Americas’ Jon Loba, Blake Pendergrass (BMI), Ashley Gorley (ASCAP), Taylor Phillips (BMI), Jelly Roll (BMI), Zach Crowell (ASCAP/Producer), Ben Johnson (BMI), Studio Bank’s Ron Cox; Photo Credit Katie Mathis for BMI

NASHVILLE, TN – March 11, 2026 – BMI’s multi-GRAMMY® award-winning Nashville native Jelly Roll threw a triple No. One celebration yesterday (3/10) at the Grand Ole Opry’s Studio A, before his member induction. The BBR Music Group/BMG Nashville/Republic recording artist celebrated three of his eight consecutive career toppers as he was reunited with the songwriters, producer and publishers behind “Liar,” “Heart of Stone” and “Halfway to Hell.”

Hosted by BMI and ASCAP and emceed by BMI’s Clay Bradley, the evening began by inviting the hitmakers behind the fiery six-week No. One “Liar” to the stage. Produced by Zach Crowell, the song was co-written by Jelly Roll, Ben Johnson (BMI), Taylor Phillips (BMI) and Ashley Gorley (ASCAP), who all shared grateful remarks. Next, Jelly Roll’s co-writers behind the multi-week No. One “Heart of Stone,” Crowell and Blake Pendergrass (BMI), shared their praises about the song’s success while giving a nod to their co-writer, Shy Carter (BMI). In celebration of his first No. One party as a BMI songwriter, Bradley presented Pendergrass with a custom Taylor 210e DLX guitar.

Jelly Roll, wearing a Johnny Cash cross necklace given to him backstage by John Carter Cash for the evening, closed out the night by reminiscing on the 2025 BMI Country Award-winning song “Halfway to Hell” and gave nods to the songwriters Jessie Jo Dillon (BMI), Jesse Frasure (BMI) and Matt Jenkins (ASCAP) who were unable to attend. Concluding the celebration, BMG Americas’ President, Frontline Recordings Jon Loba presented the songwriters with plaques celebrating their milestones. The evening was sponsored by Studio Bank, who made a charitable contribution on behalf of Jelly Roll and the songwriters to the Judge Dinkins Educational Center. Green River Whiskey, the new official whiskey sponsor of BMI No. One parties, gifted Jelly Roll’s collaborators a commemorative bottle of single barrel bourbon in honor of their chart-topping achievements.

ABOUT JELLY ROLL:
3X GRAMMY® award-winning Nashville native Jelly Roll (Jason DeFord) continues to redefine the word entertainer. With the release of his 2026 GRAMMY Award winning Best Contemporary Country Album, Beautifully Broken, he topped the Billboard 200 all-genre chart and earned his second #1 Billboard Country Album chart debut. Acclaimed by Rolling Stone, Billboard, NPR, and more, Beautifully Broken features #1 songs “I Am Not Okay,” “Liar,” and “Heart of Stone.” 2024/2025 has only continued the singer/songwriter’s momentum, with numerous nominations and award wins, including his first three GRAMMYs at the 2026 ceremony, his eighth consecutive #1 at Country radio and chart-topping hits across numerous genre charts, as well as a landmark appearance as the musical guest on SNL’s 50th Anniversary Season Premiere episode. Solidifying his place as one of music’s most authentic and powerful voices, he’s performed at stages across the world-from his record-breaking Beautifully Broken Tour to the first concert at St. Peter’s Square, Grace for the World: The Live Event in Rome. The year also produced his GRAMMY Award winning collaboration with Brandon Lake, “Hard Fought Hallelujah,” which debuted on Billboard’s Hot 100 chart and went on to hold a record-breaking number of weeks at #1 on Christian radio and took home Song of the Year at the DOVE awards. Beautifully Broken followed his debut country album, Whitsitt Chapel, which made history as the biggest Country debut on the Billboard Consumption Chart and debuted #1 on the Billboard Country Albums and Top 3 on the Billboard 200. Whitsitt Chapel also garnered his wins for Billboard Breakthrough Award, CMA’s New Artist of the Year Award, and the People’s Choice Award for Male Country Artist of the Year as well as additional ACM, CMA, Billboard, AMA and DOVE nominations and wins. Beyond music, Jelly continues his mission—visiting correctional and rehab centers across the US and internationally to help bring music to some of the darkest corners and donating a recording studio to the juvenile center where he was once incarcerated. Praised for both his music and his uniquely authentic power to inspire, Variety notes “for everyone who’s facing the same struggles, Jelly Roll is their Springsteen” while American Songwriter hails him as “a force to be reckoned with.”