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NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WSMV) – You could say General Sessions Court Judge Jim Todd and Jelly Roll go way back.
“I prosecuted you in ’90, do you remember the year?” Todd asked Jelly Roll in a recent interview.
“It was ’99 or 2000,” Jelly Roll replied. “It saved my life.”
The country music superstar was a troubled kid going through the Davidson County Court system at the time. Todd was a special prosecutor for violent and gang-related juvenile offenders, where he repeatedly saw young people in need of serious help.
“That hit me square in the eye,” said Todd. “The only people they look to in these areas of town are the drug dealers, ‘cause they have the money and they have the materials. So that’s what they start doing. It’s a vicious circle I’ve seen all my life as a prosecutor, then a defense attorney, now as a judge.”
Todd co-founded the Judge Dinkins Educational Center (JDEC) in late 2023. The nonprofit helps at-risk youth finish high school, while giving them hands-on training and certification in a trade.
“It’s important to know these kids aren’t sentenced to come here,” said Todd. “We want kids who want to come here.”
When Jelly Roll heard about JDEC, he called Todd.
“When you came back to me and said, ‘I wanna help,’ I about cried,” said Todd. “When you start a nonprofit like this, it’s very difficult. No one will give you money; it’s just an idea. If it weren’t for you, these kids wouldn’t be getting the help they need.”
From now until September 2026, every time Jelly Roll takes the stage at the Grand Ole Opry, the spotlight will shine on JDEC, too. He’s giving the nonprofit a portion of every ticket sold.
“What made me want to partner with you guys is you understand, a lot of those kids, they don’t know what’s possible,” said Jelly Roll. “I’m all in. We’ll do as many shows as we can to help raise money and make it our cause.”
The Buddy DeFord Charitable Fund will also receive a portion of ticket sales.
Grammy-nominated Jelly Roll is scheduled to perform two special Monday night Opry shows on Monday, Sept. 22, with a few of his friends. Tickets are available at opry.com and at (800) SEE-OPRY.
To learn more or donate to the Judge Dinkins Educational Center, click here.
