PREACH.
It’s been quite the year for Christian contemporary music. In fact, for the first time in over a decade, two Christian songs made the Billboard Hot 100 chart at the same time. One is Forrest Frank’s viral smash “Your Way’s Better,” and the other just so happened to be the Christian-country crossover that you’ve probably heard: “Hard Fought Hallelujah” with Christian artist Brandon Lake and rapper-turned-country-singer Jelly Roll.
Forrest Frank made headlines when this week when he said that he wouldn’t be attending the Dove Awards (or the Grammys), the most prominent Christian music awards show, because he didn’t feel comfortable accepting a trophy:
“I feel a conviction to go even a step further and say, ‘I don’t know if I even want to step on the stage; I don’t know if I want to step in the room.’ I have decided to take a stance of non-participation. I will not be attending the Doves or the Grammys. I hope to be an example to the youth that the trophy is our salvation. The trophy is that my name is listed in the book of life, and I get to have eternal life. What good is a piece of metal going to do compared to that… As Christians, it’s hard to know where the line in the sand is between being in the world and not of the world. I’m convicted, personally, that a line that I can draw is that I will not receive a trophy for something that is from Jesus and for Jesus.”
And then it really turned into a firestorm when Jelly Roll commented on the post, questioning why he would accept “millions of dollars” from his music, but not a trophy for it. He said:
“This is an interesting take – I dig it. How do you think this compares as profiting from the same music. I love that you said “I don’t want to get a trophy for something that’s from Jesus for Jesus “ which is awesome – but also make MILLIONS of dollars doing that same thing that is From Jesus for Jesus.”
A number of fans in the comments thought Jelly Roll had a good point, and on the other hand, a number of fans thought Jelly Roll, who many also frequently accuse of not even being a real Christian, was needlessly attacking Forrest Frank. It ignited quite the debate and there was quite the mixed bag of comments, with some suggesting that if you don’t want awards, don’t submit for nominations.
Here’s my take… as a longtime, Bible-believing Christian who has covered country music for over a decade… whether you show up and accept an award, or whether you decline to participate, it really has no bearing on whether or not people come to know Jesus, grow in their faith, pick up the Bible for the first time in years, etc… nobody gets saved because Forrest Frank decided to, or not to, attend an awards show. And that’s the goal right? Use the gifts God gave both of these talented men to bring people to Jesus?
And look, Forrest is absolutely free to decline the award, and there’s nothing wrong with him being uncomfortable with accepting trophies… I think awards shows are generally pretty lame and I don’t blame him at all for not participating if he doesn’t want to… but all these comments about how incredible and humble it is… idk… it feels like the conversation is now about whether or not it’s “Christian” to be recognized for accomplishments, and the conversation is not about Jesus anymore… right?
That’s my two cents on that… once again, no shade to Forrest or Jelly Roll, I dig both of their music, but it’s just not that big of a deal one way or the other.
That being said…
Jelly Roll’s Acceptance Speech
The Dove Awards aired tonight, although it was pre-recorded live a couple weeks back at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena, and ironically enough, Forrest won Artist of the Year (and a bunch of other awards). And while he wasn’t on hand to accept his award (kind of funny how that news came out well after it was actually recorded), Jelly Roll was on hand to accept his award with Brandon Lake. The pair won the Dove Award for Song of the Year, for their Christian/Country crossover smash, “Hard Fought Hallelujah.”
And you know when Jelly Roll gets on that stage… that Pentecostal preacher inside of him is gonna come out. And when he got up there, he took the opportunity to call Christians to action… a message that was both encouraging, but also convicting.
He said:
“I’m not sure how much I even belong speaking up here right now… I’m nervous… I was listening to him and I was thinking about Matthew when he talks about the least. He said ‘when I was hungry, you fed me. When I was thirsty, you gave me water. When I was in jail, you came and visited me.’ And I realized that I am standing her because people took time with the least.
I want to give this message as clear as I can right now. The world is hearing about Jesus like they haven’t in decades right now. There is a revival happening in the United States where you can’t go on a corner and not hear about Jesus right now. And while we’re hearing about Jesus, I encourage you to put faith on your feet, and feet on your faith, and walk out of this building and do for the least. They’ve heard of Jesus, now go show ’em Jesus. Go feed the poor, go visit the ones in jail, go show ’em who Jesus was. We’re done talking, it’s time to show.”
He went on to thank the Dove Awards for televising an event such as this, and then ended with what some perceived to be a shot at Forrest Frank:
“I think this thing is great, I think it gives alternative programming for kids at home, my son is watching this, I think it’s awesome that he gets to watch an awards show like this… I thank God that I could see the forest for the trees. God bless y’all.”
Was that last part about seeing the forest a shot at Forrest Frank? Honestly, I don’t really think so… but who knows.
I know Jelly Roll gets a lot of hate… he gets it from the country music community for being an alleged rapper-turned-singer phony who soils the good name of country music. He gets it from the Christian community who think he’s an unrepentant charlatan, praising Jesus on stage to cash a check… but I’ll tell you what, there’s not many artists out there who are having the kind of positive impact that Jelly Roll is having on people. Ex-cons, drug addicts, broken, hurting, lost and hopeless people are listening to Jelly Roll’s music and his message, and for the first time in their lives, they’re finding hope, they’re finding healing, they’re finding a new path forward. It’s been incredible to watch it unfold in real time… to see those crowds grow.
And then to get up on that Dove Awards stage and call Christians to action? I mean, some preachers don’t even do that. But again, isn’t that what this is all about? Using these gifts, this influence, to bring glory and honor to the name of Jesus, and to bring people closer to God. To see radical transformation happen across the United States? Jelly Roll is right about folks being ripe for the Gospel right now, go give it to them. That only happens if Christians, empowered by the Holy Spirit, get out there and go do it. Go show the world who Jesus is. I love this message from Jelly Roll, it’s one most of us need to hear… and hear again, every day. This isn’t a spectator sport… get in the game.
So nothing wrong with sitting an awards show out like Forrest chose to do, but you can also get up there and proclaim the Gospel… can I get an Amen?
Watch Jelly Roll, Brandon Lake and special guest, Jon Batiste, perform their award-winning single, “Hard Fought Hallelujah”
Dove Awards Winners
Artist of the Year: Forrest Frank (absent)
Song of the Year: “Hard Fought Hallelujah” — Brandon Lake, Jelly Roll
Pop/Contemporary Album of the Year: Child of God — Forrest Frank
Pop/Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year: “YOUR WAY’S BETTER” — Forrest Frank
Worship Recorded Song of the Year: “I Know a Name” — Elevation Worship, Chris Brown, Brandon Lake
Gospel Worship Recorded Song of the Year: “Come Jesus Come” — CeCe Winans, Shirley Caesar
Inspirational Recorded Song of the Year: “The Jesus Way” — Phil Wickham
Rap/Hip Hop Album of the Year: Cry — Hulvey
Southern Gospel Album of the Year: Loving You — The Nelons
New Artist of the Year: Leanna Crawford
Spanish Language Album of the Year: Kintsugi — Un Corazón
Feature Film of the Year: “The King of Kings”
Television Series of the Year: “The Chosen”
Producer of the Year: Jeff Pardo
Songwriter of the Year (Artist): Brandon Lake
Songwriter of the Year (Non-Artist): Mitch Wong
