Multi-GRAMMY Award-winning Nashville artist Jelly Roll celebrated a major milestone in his career with a triple No. 1 party held March 10 at the Grand Ole Opry's Studio A in Nashville. The event took place just ahead of his induction into the iconic country music institution and honored three of his chart-topping hits: "Liar," "Heart of Stone," and "Halfway to Hell."
Hosted jointly by Broadcast Music, Inc. (BMI) and American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) and emceed by BMI's Clay Bradley, the celebration reunited the songwriters, producer, and publishers behind the hits that have contributed to Jelly Roll's streak of eight consecutive No. 1 songs.
The evening began with recognition of the fiery six-week No. 1 single "Liar." Produced by Zach Crowell, the song was co-written by Jelly Roll alongside Ben Johnson, Taylor Phillips, and Ashley Gorley. Each of the writers shared reflections on the song's success and the creative collaboration that brought the hit to life.
Next, attention turned to the multi-week chart-topper "Heart of Stone." Songwriters Zach Crowell and Blake Pendergrass spoke about the song's impact and offered praise for their co-writer Shy Carter. In celebration of his first No. 1 party as a BMI songwriter, Pendergrass received a custom Taylor 210e DLX guitar presented by Bradley.
Closing out the celebration, Jelly Roll reflected on the success of "Halfway to Hell," the 2025 BMI Country Award-winning song. He also recognized the contributions of songwriters Jessie Jo Dillon, Jesse Frasure, and Matt Jenkins, who were unable to attend the event.
During the evening, BMG Americas President of Frontline Recordings Jon Loba presented commemorative plaques to the songwriters in recognition of their chart-topping achievements. The event also included charitable support, as sponsor Studio Bank made a donation on behalf of Jelly Roll and the songwriters to the Judge Dinkins Educational Center. Green River Whiskey, the official whiskey sponsor of BMI No. 1 parties, honored the collaborators with commemorative bottles of single-barrel bourbon.
A Nashville native, Jelly Roll-born Jason DeFord-continues to reshape the boundaries of modern country music and entertainment. His 2026 GRAMMY Award-winning album Beautifully Broken topped the Billboard 200 all-genre chart and debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Country Albums chart. The album includes multiple No. 1 songs, including "I Am Not Okay," "Liar," and "Heart of Stone."
The singer-songwriter's momentum has continued through a series of career milestones, including his first three GRAMMY Awards in 2026, his eighth consecutive No. 1 at country radio, and a widely praised appearance as the musical guest on the 50th anniversary season premiere of Saturday Night Live.
In addition to his success in country music, Jelly Roll's collaboration with Christian artist Brandon Lake on "Hard Fought Hallelujah" became a major crossover hit. The song debuted on the Billboard Hot 100 and spent a record-breaking number of weeks at No. 1 on Christian radio while also earning Song of the Year honors at the GMA Dove Awards.
Beyond the charts, Jelly Roll has become known for his commitment to outreach and rehabilitation efforts, frequently visiting correctional facilities and recovery centers to share his story and encourage those facing similar struggles. He has also donated a recording studio to the juvenile detention center where he was once incarcerated.
Celebrating more than 80 years of service to songwriters and publishers, BMI represents the public performance rights of over 25 million musical works created by more than 1.4 million songwriters, composers, and music publishers worldwide.
