Jelly Roll’s Heartfelt Tribute To Wife Bunnie XO Brings Her to Tears
“She saved me in one of the darkest times of my life,” the “Son Of A Sinner” singer wrote.
Jelly Roll and Bunnie XO DeFord at the 58th Academy of Country Music Awards from Ford Center at The Star on May 11, 2023 in Frisco, Texas; Photo by Gilbert Flores, for PMC, ACM Awards
Jelly Roll brought his wife, Bunnie XO, to tears with a heartfelt “appreciation post” in honor of his bride.
The “Son Of A Sinner” singer took to social media on Friday (July 7) to share kind words about his other half. He acknowledged that while he receives significant recognition for his achievements, it’s his wife, Bunnie, who deserves acknowledgment for her own remarkable journey.
“A lot is often said or made about my story, but the truth is, I’ve never been moved more by a story than the story of my wife. To watch what this woman has overcame and her passion and determination to be something better has inspired me from the moment I met her,” he began.
A Sweet Message
Jelly Roll proceeded to elaborate on the invaluable support he has received from his wife as he navigated his personal path, all the while witnessing her own growth and establishment in her respective domain.
He Praised Her Work Ethic
“She saved me in one of the darkest times of my life. She has been nothing but supportive. I remember her sitting at our kitchen table and her talking to me about the vision she had to start the Dumb Blonde Podcast and how it was her means to end working in the sex industry for good,” he wrote. “I watched her build her own platform, her own podcast and her own team with ZERO help from me. She wanted to do it on her own, she didn’t want to be just ‘Jelly Roll’s wife’ she wanted to build her own empire to empower women and share her story in hopes that it could motivate others to believe that they could change their lives and be happy.”
As he watched her build her podcast and a community on Patreon, Jelly Roll remained in awe of his wife and her accomplishments. He said he looks forward to their next adventure together as they embark on his first-ever arena tour.
“NOW SHE IS COMING ON TOUR WITH ME AND DOING HER OWN MEET AND GREET (that I’ll be crashing as many of them as I can) watching you take this thing to the moon has been nothing short of incredible to watch- so so so so happy for you baby,” he shared. “Let’s keep changing the world a little at a time.”
She Responded
Bunnie was quick to respond.
“The sweetest boy- I love you,” she shared and later added, “I’m crying at the dinner table 
You have always been my reason, my why & my strength. I love you to the moon & deepest galaxies ✨💫🌙 Let’s keep probing them wrong & taking shit over – Your ace 🪄”
2023 Tour
The self-proclaimed “Trailer Park Barbara Walters” will be offering meet-and-greets on Jelly Roll’s upcoming Backroad Baptism Tour. Bunnie XO’s VIP package, produced by VIP Nation, includes a meet and greet with Bunnie XO as well as a special photo opportunity with Bunnie XO, an autographed VIP poster, VIP-exclusive Bunnie XO gift item, VIP laminate and a dedicated entrance and on-site VIP team.
Alongside Bunnie XO, fans who purchase the VIP package will have the opportunity to meet Mimi, Haley, and their beloved family dog, Chachi.
“I love you guys. I can’t wait to touch all your butts and give you big kisses on tour,” Bunnie XO said.
Jelly Roll and Bunnie first met at one of the Nashville native’s concerts on Fremont Street in Las Vegas at The Country Saloon in 2015. Nearly a year later, the couple tied the knot on August 31, 2016.
The couple is preparing to celebrate their seventh wedding anniversary next month.
Jelly Roll is set to kick off his massive 44-date headlining arena tour, dubbed the Backroad Baptism Tour, on Friday, July 28 at Bank Plus Amphitheater in Southhaven, Mississippi.
Hosted by Josh Adam Meyers, the Backroad Baptism Tour will run through Saturday, October 14, where the trek will wrap up in Tampa, Florida at MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Amphitheatre.
“The Backroad Baptism Tour is a big one for me, y’all! I’m bringing my friends out on the road this summer, and I can’t wait to see every one of you mutherf***ers at a show,” Jelly Roll shared.
Ashley McBryde, Caitlynne Curtis, Chase Rice, Elle King, Merkules, Struggle Jennings, Three 6 Mafia, Yelawolf will serve as support on select dates of the tour.
Album Out Now
The Backroad Baptism Tour comes in support of Jelly Roll’s recently released debut full-length country record, WHITSITT CHAPEL, which arrived on June 2 via BMG/Stoney Creek Records.
The project, named after the church the Antioch native grew up attending, features 13 tracks, including the fan-favorite tunes “NEED A FAVOR” and “SHE.”
“This album is about growth and gratitude happening in my life. I wanted to create a project that felt hopeful. I believe the worst feeling a person can have is feeling hopeless or worthless. This is therapeutic music. Real music for real people with real problems,” Jelly Roll previously shared in a statement.
Additionally, WHITSITT CHAPEL also includes three collaborations. Brantley Gilbert and Struggle Jennings joins Jelly Roll on “Behind Bars” and Yelawolf is featured on “Unlive,” while Lainey Wilson teamed up with the 38-year-old hitmaker to recreate his fan-favorite tune, “Save Me.”
Lauren Jo Black is a longtime country music journalist, editor, host, and media personality whose work has helped shape the conversation around country music for nearly two decades. As the current Editor-in-Chief of Country Now, she has become one of the genre’s most respected voices, interviewing hundreds of country music’s biggest stars, including Dolly Parton, Garth Brooks, Reba McEntire, Shania Twain, Randy Travis, Luke Bryan, Carrie Underwood, Blake Shelton, Luke Combs, and countless others. Over the course of her career, Black’s written work and interviews have reached billions of country music fans worldwide. A 2009 graduate of the University of Central Florida, Black began her career by founding Country Music Is Love, one of country music’s earliest independent digital publications, which she later sold to a major record label in 2015 before it was rebranded as Sounds Like Nashville. She then served as the publication’s Editor-in-Chief for more than two years. Her work has also appeared in Forbes, and she previously served as the Country Music Expert for Answers.com. Widely recognized for her expertise, Black has appeared as a featured guest on The Bobby Bones Show, BobbyCast, and Scripps News Morning Rush, providing insight on country music’s biggest moments. She has also hosted Country Now Live, a concert series featuring performances from artists including Lady A, Dierks Bentley, Riley Green, Jordan Davis, Dustin Lynch, Gabby Barrett, Brett Young, Jon Pardi, Kip Moore, Chris Young, and more. The series has welcomed thousands of fans in person while reaching millions more online. In addition, she hosted Connect With Country Now, a weekly interview series featuring conversations with rising country stars. Throughout her career, Black has earned a reputation for discovering and championing artists long before they become household names. She has covered Luke Bryan since the early days of his career, beginning when he was writing songs for other artists, including Billy Currington’s No. 1 hit “Good Directions,” before stepping into the spotlight with his debut single, “All My Friends Say” and eventually becoming one of biggest names in music. She also gave Megan Moroney her first opportunity to walk a major red carpet as Country Now’s official guest correspondent at the 2022 CMA Awards. An interview she conducted in 2018 for Forbes.com with Luke Combs that inspired his multi-week No. 1 hit, “Doin’ This.” She has also hosted stages at CMA Fest, moderated an industry panel at Country Radio Seminar, and helped lead important conversations about the evolving landscape of country music media. Beyond journalism, Black has also used her platform to support charitable causes and highlight organizations making an impact. Through Country Now Live, she has helped raise awareness and support for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, while also advocating for animal rescue through Country Now’s Pupdate series, spotlighting organizations including MuttNation Foundation, Wags & Walks, and Proverbs 12:10 Animal Rescue. Black has been recognized as one of Country Aircheck’s Women of Influence and received the 2012 Rising Star Award from the University of Central Florida. She is a longtime member of both the Country Music Association (CMA) and the Academy of Country Music (ACM). After nearly 20 years covering country music, Lauren Jo Black has spent her career telling the stories behind the artists, songs, and moments that have shaped the genre. Her first-ever book, Country Music Forever: An A-to-Z Celebration of Icons, Songs and Stories, brings that same passion and firsthand knowledge to the page, celebrating not only the legendary artists and timeless songs that have become the soundtrack to generations of fans, but also the places, traditions, and cultural moments that have made country music one of the most beloved genres around the world.
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