In the Country Music Industry's Politics of Silence
Country singer Jelly Roll sparked outrage after collecting three awards at the Grammys, and was quick to deflect when questioned about his stance on Donald Trump's Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations. The 41-year-old singer-songwriter, whose real name is Jason DeFord, claimed he's a "dumb redneck" who hasn't watched enough politics to form an opinion.
Jelly Roll's response may seem like the perfect dodge for those in the music industry who are hesitant to take a stance on sensitive topics. But considering his genre of origin and background, it's surprising that he didn't just stick with what he knows best: music. Country music has historically been a stronghold of conservatism, where jingoistic anthems by artists like Toby Keith and Darryl Worley set the tone for radio country.
The genre's conservative leanings were solidified during the George W. Bush era, when Republicanism became the default position in Nashville. This influence is still evident today, with many songwriters adding Donald Trump's signature style to their music, as seen in Aaron Lewis' "Am I The Only One?" and Jason Aldean's "Try That In A Small Town".
In this environment, it's easy to assume that any new country star will be conservative. Nashville assumes a conservative audience, which expects them to reflect the views of their fellow citizens. Jelly Roll wouldn't have had to take a stand on Trump's policies if he wanted to; it would hardly have hurt him.
It's possible that his response was an attempt to maintain his fanbase, which likely includes many MAGA supporters and possibly even some liberals who enjoy his music despite its conservative leanings. But by claiming he "didn't know politics were f**king real until I was in my mid-20s, in jail", Jelly Roll may be attempting to downplay the issue or appear more relatable.
Take Chappell Roan's case as a prime example of why musicians should exercise caution when making public statements. The pop star faced backlash after refusing to endorse Kamala Harris for president due to her administration's support of Israel's war in Gaza, leading her to cancel several tour dates.
Jelly Roll's own approach may be seen as more palatable, but it raises questions about how much musicians can afford to be "in the know" without jeopardizing their careers. The recent example of super-producer Jack Antonoff wearing an anti-ICE pin on his jacket sparked criticism online when he failed to provide a clear reason for his stance.
This is a truth that's been lost in today's polarized landscape: the average American isn't a political insider, and most people don't regularly stay informed about current events. For Jelly Roll, walking this fine line between staying true to himself and alienating his fans could prove tricky. The "shut up and sing" attitude may seem appealing after witnessing what can happen when musicians get politics wrong – but it's not as simple as that.
Country singer Jelly Roll sparked outrage after collecting three awards at the Grammys, and was quick to deflect when questioned about his stance on Donald Trump's Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations. The 41-year-old singer-songwriter, whose real name is Jason DeFord, claimed he's a "dumb redneck" who hasn't watched enough politics to form an opinion.
Jelly Roll's response may seem like the perfect dodge for those in the music industry who are hesitant to take a stance on sensitive topics. But considering his genre of origin and background, it's surprising that he didn't just stick with what he knows best: music. Country music has historically been a stronghold of conservatism, where jingoistic anthems by artists like Toby Keith and Darryl Worley set the tone for radio country.
The genre's conservative leanings were solidified during the George W. Bush era, when Republicanism became the default position in Nashville. This influence is still evident today, with many songwriters adding Donald Trump's signature style to their music, as seen in Aaron Lewis' "Am I The Only One?" and Jason Aldean's "Try That In A Small Town".
In this environment, it's easy to assume that any new country star will be conservative. Nashville assumes a conservative audience, which expects them to reflect the views of their fellow citizens. Jelly Roll wouldn't have had to take a stand on Trump's policies if he wanted to; it would hardly have hurt him.
It's possible that his response was an attempt to maintain his fanbase, which likely includes many MAGA supporters and possibly even some liberals who enjoy his music despite its conservative leanings. But by claiming he "didn't know politics were f**king real until I was in my mid-20s, in jail", Jelly Roll may be attempting to downplay the issue or appear more relatable.
Take Chappell Roan's case as a prime example of why musicians should exercise caution when making public statements. The pop star faced backlash after refusing to endorse Kamala Harris for president due to her administration's support of Israel's war in Gaza, leading her to cancel several tour dates.
Jelly Roll's own approach may be seen as more palatable, but it raises questions about how much musicians can afford to be "in the know" without jeopardizing their careers. The recent example of super-producer Jack Antonoff wearing an anti-ICE pin on his jacket sparked criticism online when he failed to provide a clear reason for his stance.
This is a truth that's been lost in today's polarized landscape: the average American isn't a political insider, and most people don't regularly stay informed about current events. For Jelly Roll, walking this fine line between staying true to himself and alienating his fans could prove tricky. The "shut up and sing" attitude may seem appealing after witnessing what can happen when musicians get politics wrong – but it's not as simple as that.
... I mean, you'd think someone in his genre would be all over their stance on Trump's immigration policies, considering how country music is usually super conservative 
... But at the same time, I get what he's saying - it's not like he's a politician or anything 
... and yeah, Nashville does have that whole conservative vibe going on, which can make it hard for artists to take risks without alienating their fans 
... It's like, if you're gonna speak out, do it with conviction or don't do it at all 
he just dodged the question, you know? And honestly, I think it's kinda hard to expect artists to be experts on everything. I've seen some of my favorite country songs before, and yeah, they can be super patriotic and conservative... but not everyone has a problem with that. 
It's like if I said I was into veganism, and suddenly I'm not cool anymore. 
I think some artists just want to focus on making music, you know? And if they can do that and still keep their fans happy, then I'm all for it. 
He's trying to downplay the issue, but it just comes off as insincere. And I'm not saying he should have taken a stance on it or anything, but maybe just acknowledging that you don't know everything is okay.
. Chappell Roan's experience with cancel culture was a whole other can of worms, and I think Jelly Roll could've learned from her example.
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Like, girl, you're a country star, what did you expect? It's all about the music, honey! 
he's trying to deflect from the fact that country music has a super strong conservative vibe in nashville and if you don't fit that mold then you're outta luck lol idk about taking a stand on politics tho - it's like, his fans might not agree with him but at least he's speaking up? 
.
. Don't get me wrong, I'm all for staying informed and not being a jerk... but can't we just enjoy some good ol' country tunes without having to take a stance? 
Not asking for much, you know? 
. That girl was just trying to do what's right, but it backfired because she didn't have the right platform or message 
I guess that's the problem – we need more artists who can speak up without alienating their fans... it's a tough balance to strike, for sure 
. And honestly, I think some of the criticism he got was unfair - like, chill out, fam! 
. Like, I want to be able to capture those stunning sunsets without them looking all blurry and awful 
. And have you guys tried that new coffee shop downtown? Their cold brew is literally the best 
️.
. but when it comes to politics, things get murky 
. maybe jelly roll was just trying to stay true to himself, but his response did come across as a bit dismissive 
. anyway, it's definitely food for thought about how artists navigate sensitive topics without losing their audience 
? chappell roan's situation was pretty wild too tho - like, girl, you're a pop star, not a diplomat 
. I'm not sure what the right call is here, but maybe we need more artists who can have honest conversations about their views and experiences without getting torn apart by both sides 
but at what cost? his career might not take off if he keeps being so evasive.