Current Star Search judge and former American Idol artist in residence Jelly Roll had a big night on Sunday, as he took home three Grammys during the 2026 awards ceremony. That includes a win for Best Contemporary Country Album.
Jelly Roll Takes Home Three 2026 Grammys
Ahead of the official ceremony on Sunday night, Jelly Roll took home two awards. He won a trophy for Best Country Duo/Group Performance for his song with Shaboozey called “Amen,” as well as Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song for his Brandon Lake collaboration “Hard Fought Hallelujah.”
The singer and rapper took home his third Grammy of the year during Sunday’s ceremony, as his 2024 album Beautifully Broken won in the Best Contemporary Country Album category. He beat out fellow nominees Miranda Lambert, Tyler Childers, Eric Church, and Kelsea Ballerina.
When accepting his award on stage, Jelly Roll thanked his wife Bunnie Xo, saying, “I would have never changed my life without you. I’d have ended up dead or in jail. I’d have killed myself if it wasn’t for you and Jesus. I thank you for that.”
Jelly Roll has been open about his difficult past, as he spent time in prison for crimes such as robbery and drug possession. In December of last year, he received a pardon for his past convictions from Tennessee Governor Bill Lee.
“There was a time in my life that I was broken. That’s why I wrote this album. I didn’t think I had a chance, y’all. There was days that I thought the darkest things. I was a horrible human,” Jelly Roll said during his speech on Sunday. “I believe that music had the power to change my life, and God had the power to change my life.”
Jelly Roll is the first artist to receive a Grammy for Best Contemporary Country Album. The former Best Country Album category was split into two new categories ahead of this year’s ceremony. The other country album category is called Best Traditional Country Album. It was won this year by Zach Top for Ain’t in It for My Health.
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Jill O'Rourke Jill O’Rourke is a contributor at Talent Recap, writing news stories and recaps for shows like ‘AGT,’ ‘The Voice,’ and ‘American Idol.’ She graduated from the University of Georgia with a degree in English and Film Studies, and has been writing about pop culture since 2012, with previous bylines at Crushable and A Plus. Jill spends her free time binge-watching sitcoms and daydreaming about life as a hobbit
