October 11, 2024 • 2hr 24min
#2212 - Jelly Roll
The Joe Rogan Experience
Key Takeaways
- Jelly Roll has gone through an incredible transformation from spending time in jail as a youth to becoming a successful country music artist in his late 30s
- He emphasizes the importance of persistence and putting in the work, even when success seems far away
- Jelly Roll has lost 100 pounds recently and is focused on improving his health
- He discusses his songwriting process and how he finds inspiration in everyday stories and struggles
- The conversation touches on themes of gratitude, staying grounded despite success, and connecting with audiences through authenticity
- Jelly Roll and Joe Rogan bond over their shared love of comedy and music, discussing various artists and performances
- They explore ideas about creativity, fame, and maintaining perspective as an artist
Introduction
Joe Rogan welcomes country music artist Jelly Roll to the podcast. Jelly Roll's latest album "Beautifully Broken" has just been released. The two discuss Jelly Roll's incredible journey from troubled youth to successful musician, his recent focus on health and weight loss, his creative process, and various topics related to music, comedy, and fame.
Topics Discussed
Jelly Roll's Background and Rise to Success (45:47)
Jelly Roll opens up about his difficult past, including time spent in juvenile detention and jail. He describes how he pursued music despite the odds, eventually finding success in his late 30s.
"I was a desperate, delusional dreamer, Joe, and everything I regret I did out of desperation, but I don't regret one thing I did that as a delusional dreamer," Jelly Roll explains.
- He emphasizes the importance of persistence and putting in consistent work over time
- Jelly Roll shares a story about his father encouraging him to keep pursuing music, comparing it to the time it takes to become a doctor
- He discusses how his perspective shifted from thinking he was special to realizing he was telling universal stories many could relate to
Weight Loss Journey and Focus on Health (48:34)
Jelly Roll reveals he has lost 100 pounds recently and is committed to improving his health.
- He describes working with a nutritionist and changing his eating habits
- Jelly Roll shares how his band and crew have supported his health journey, including playing basketball together regularly
- He emphasizes how much better he feels physically and mentally after losing weight
Songwriting Process and Finding Inspiration (1:14:44)
The conversation turns to Jelly Roll's approach to songwriting and how he finds inspiration for his music.
"I connect with that in a way that's writing is. It's an outlet for me. It always was. It was always a way to express and to tell stories around me," Jelly Roll says.
- He describes how ideas sometimes come to him suddenly, even waking him up at night
- Jelly Roll explains how he shifted from trying to tell "special" stories to focusing on everyday struggles people can relate to
- He emphasizes the importance of writing for others rather than himself, which led to a creative breakthrough on his latest album
Discussions on Comedy and the Comedy Store (24:57)
Joe and Jelly Roll bond over their shared love of comedy, discussing various comedians and performances at the Comedy Store.
- They talk about the energy and camaraderie among comedians at the club
- Jelly Roll expresses admiration for comedians like Ron White and their ability to tell stories
- They discuss how the Comedy Store fosters creativity and provides a space for comedians to experiment
Reflections on Fame and Staying Grounded (44:19)
The conversation touches on the challenges of fame and the importance of staying grounded despite success.
"Do you get that imposter syndrome thing ever?" Joe asks. Jelly Roll responds, "Oh, man, so much. I'm somewhere between feeling extremely uncomfortable where I'm out in my career right now, or overly comfortable where I'm out of my career."
- They discuss the surreal nature of achieving success and interacting with other famous people
- Jelly Roll emphasizes the importance of gratitude and not taking his success for granted
- They reflect on the idea that true connection with audiences comes from authenticity rather than trying to be "special"
Music Industry and Live Performances (1:45:42)
Jelly Roll shares insights into the music industry and his experiences with live performances.
- He discusses the challenges of being an opening act and winning over audiences
- Jelly Roll talks about the energy of live shows and how he approaches different types of crowds
- They discuss the importance of putting in consistent work to improve as a performer
Discussions on Various Musicians and Songs (1:23:31)
Joe and Jelly Roll enthusiastically discuss various musicians and songs they admire.
- They talk about artists like James Taylor, Carly Simon, and Lynyrd Skynyrd
- Jelly Roll shares stories about meeting and interacting with some of his musical heroes
- They reflect on the power of certain songs to evoke strong emotions and connect with listeners
Reflections on Creativity and Artistic Process (2:05:38)
The conversation explores ideas about creativity and the artistic process.
"It's also a connection to some strange realm where ideas come from. The ideas that come to you. They just come to you out of nowhere. They just feel like gifts. They really do," Joe observes.
- They discuss the mysterious nature of creative inspiration
- Jelly Roll talks about his process of developing ideas into fully-formed songs
- They reflect on the importance of being open to inspiration and putting in the work to develop ideas
Future Plans and Aspirations (1:57:53)
Jelly Roll shares some of his future plans and aspirations.
- He expresses interest in potentially moving to Austin, Texas
- Jelly Roll discusses his idea for opening a music venue inspired by Joe's comedy club
- He talks about his desire to continue growing as an artist and connecting with audiences
Conclusion
The conversation between Joe Rogan and Jelly Roll offers a deep dive into the life and creative process of a musician who has overcome significant challenges to find success. Jelly Roll's journey from troubled youth to chart-topping artist serves as an inspiring example of persistence and the power of following one's passion. The discussion touches on universal themes of creativity, authenticity, and personal growth, while also providing specific insights into the music and comedy industries. Throughout the conversation, both Joe and Jelly Roll emphasize the importance of putting in consistent work, staying true to oneself, and finding ways to connect genuinely with audiences. The episode provides an engaging look at the intersection of music, comedy, and personal development, offering listeners both entertainment and inspiration.
