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Jelly Roll Facing Legal Battle With Pennsylvania Band

Author Jeff Kurkjian
AUSTIN, TEXAS - APRIL 02: Jelly Roll, winner of the Male Video of the Year Award for "Son Of A Sinner," poses in the Winner's Circle during the 2023 CMT Music Awards at Moody Center on April 02, 2023 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Emma McIntyre/Getty Images for CMT)

Jelly Roll has become an international superstar switching from the rock world to country music. He received his first country number-one single, “Son of a Sinner” back in January of 2023. But now, the road seems a bit rocky for the country music star when it comes to his name.

Jelly Roll Facing Trademark Infringement Suit

According to Us Weekly via Yahoo.com, there is a band of the same name based out of Pennsylvania. Now, a legal battle may ensue. Here’s more from the initial article.

Pennsylvania-based band Jellyroll has been performing at weddings and charity events in the Keystone State since 1980 and has held a trademark for their name since 2010. The band is now suing country star Jelly Roll to stop him from performing under the same name.

The local band has performed quite a few very large gigs so don’t think they are nobodies. They earned an invitation to play at the White House in 2007 after the daughters of President George Bush saw them performing. They were then asked by First Lady Laura Bush to play at her 44th High School Reunion.

Country Musician Jelly Roll Testifies To Senate Hearing On Stopping The Flow Of Fentanyl

WASHINGTON, DC – JANUARY 11: American singer and songwriter Jason “Jelly Roll” DeFord testifies before the Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs committee on January 11, 2024 in Washington, DC. The hearing examined legislative solutions and public education for stopping the flow of fentanyl into and throughout the United States. (Photo by Kent Nishimura/Getty Images)

According to CourtWatch, Jason DeFord (a.k.a. Jelly Roll) is being sued for Trademark Infringement over the use of the name. Kurt L. Titchenell is a member of the band, Jellyroll, is seeking “injunctive relief” because of the use of the name. They said they have used the name and had it trademarked for fifteen years, renewing it in 2019.

Meet Jellyroll, The Epic Wedding Band

I did some deep diving and actually found their wedding band promo video and it is fire!

We will keep you updated here!

GALLERY: Jelly Roll Is A Country and Rock Star

Jelly Roll won three awards at this year’s (4/2) CMT Music Awards. The one-time rapper recently scored his first country music chart-topper “Son of A Sinner.” Born and raised in Antoich (right outside of Nashville), Jelly Roll has won the hearts of his fellow country stars and the heart of country music fans worldwide.

He made his first on the CMT Music Awards performance, joined by a full gospel choir, with his song “Need A Favor.” That was followed by an enthusiastic standing ovation by the whole house.

Jelly Roll’s awards came before his new album, Whitsitt Chapel, was released on June 2. Titled after the church the Antioch native grew up attending, the debut full-length Country project on BMG/Stoney Creek Records features 13 tracks.

Before his current time in country music, Jelly was known as a Southern Hip Hop artist. Beginning in 2010, he collaborated with Lil Wyte, Struggle Jennings, Yelawolf, Tech N9ne, and Ryan Upchurch. His 2010 collaboration “Pop Another Pill” with Memphis rapper Lil Wyte reached over 6.3 million YouTube views and started his career.

A record label executive in Nashville told me they were looking for the Post Malone of country music and found that in Jelly. His real name is Jason DeFord, and his Jelly Roll nickname comes from his mother, who called him Jelly Roll when he was a young, as he said, a “chubby” kid.

As Jelly’s star continues to rise, we take a look at his last few years in the national spotlight.

Jeff Kurkjian is the morning show co-host on "The Andie Summers Show" on 92.5 XTU, Philly's Country Station. He's the nationally syndicated show host of "Jeff Kurkjian's Country Beat." As a content creator for 92.5 XTU he shares his perspective of being a dad, husband, country music and sports, specifically baseball.

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Author Jeff Kurkjian
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