\n\t\t\tTrending on Billboard\t\t<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n
\n\tJohn Rich believes Jelly Roll knew the potential consequences that would come with getting candid about politics, including the possibility that some of his own fans might stop listening.<\/p>\n
\n\tThe Big & Rich singer discussed Jelly Roll\u2019s recent guest-hosting stint on Jimmy Kimmel Live!<\/em> during an episode of The Benny Show, arguing that the country star likely knew the repercussions of his comments. Furthermore, Rich said that what the country singer said could clash with the assumptions some listeners had made about him.<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\tRelated\t\t<\/p>\n<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n \t\t\t\t\tBunnie Xo Recalls Needing IVs & \u2018Eating Baby Food to Get by\u2019 After Jelly Roll Split: \u2018My Heart Was Shattered\u2019\t\t<\/p>\n<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n \t\t\t\t\tJelly Roll Finally Addresses His Silence After the Grammys During a Rousing \u2018Kimmel\u2019 Monologue: \u2018I Had a Microphone and Didn\u2019t Use It the Right\u00a0Way\u2019\t\t<\/p>\n<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n \t\t\t\t\t\u2018She Might Be The Last American That Everyone Liked\u2019: Jelly Roll Pays Tribute to Dolly\u00a0Parton\t\t<\/p>\n<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n \n\t\u201cHe knows how this works,\u201d Rich stated. \u201cHe knows who the audience is.\u201d<\/p>\n \n\tAs previously reported by Billboard<\/em>, Jelly Roll served as a guest host on Jimmy Kimmel Live!<\/em> last week. He addressed the reaction to jokes he made about President Donald Trump and the public speculation surrounding his political beliefs. The \u201cNeed a Favor\u201d singer said that while he leans left on certain issues, he considers himself \u201cpretty down the middle\u201d politically.<\/p>\n \n\tFor Rich, the fact that Jelly Roll spoke openly despite the potential backlash was evidence that the singer meant what he said.<\/p>\n \n\t\u201cWhen you make statements that are that hardcore and, to a large extent, counteractive to the presentation you\u2019ve been making, you do understand in country music that half or more of your audience may disown you,\u201d Rich said, adding that some listeners could \u201cstop listening\u201d altogether.<\/p>\n \n\tRich pointed to authenticity as a trait of country music, invoking artists including Johnny Cash, Merle Haggard, Loretta Lynn and Dolly Parton as performers whose perspectives became part of their identities. He also connected Jelly Roll\u2019s decision to his own experiences speaking publicly about politics, which Rich said had resulted in professional consequences for him.<\/p>\n \n\tStill, Rich said Jelly Roll\u2019s situation was distinct because some fans may have been caught off guard by what the singer had to say.<\/p>\n \n\t\u201cJelly Roll knew the same thing concerning his audience,\u201d Rich said. \u201cYet, he did it anyway. So to me, what that says is this guy is really who he says he is.\u201d<\/p>\n \n\tJelly Roll himself pushed back against the idea that his stint behind Kimmel\u2019s desk should define him politically. \u201cHosting Jimmy Kimmel\u2019s show doesn\u2019t mean I have all of Jimmy Kimmel\u2019s politics,\u201d he said during his final night as guest host, later emphasizing his Christian faith, country background and life as a farmer and bow hunter.<\/p>\n \n\tHe also spoke about the irony of how quickly public perceptions had changed. \u201cBefore this week everybody thought I was MAGA,\u201d Jelly Roll said. \u201cAnd now they think I\u2019m some sort of liberal snowflake.\u201d<\/p>\n \n\tRich suggested that the backlash may have less to do with Jelly Roll expressing a specific set of beliefs than the disconnect between those beliefs and what some listeners thought they already knew about him.<\/p>\n \n\t\u201cHe should have been talking that way from the very beginning,\u201d Rich said. \u201cand he probably wouldn\u2019t have this problem.\u201d<\/p>\n \n\tWatch the full interview with John Rich below.<\/p>\n\n
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