Why a Wedding Band Is Suing Jelly Roll

Jelly Roll

Jelly Roll is in need of more than a favor, as he's currently being sued by a wedding band in Pennsylvania.

The "Save Me" crooner has been cited in a new lawsuit brought on by a group that predominantly performs at weddings and private events under the same name, but with a different presentation: Jellyroll.

In a lawsuit filed in federal court on April 8, lawyers for Jellyroll band member Kurt L. Titchenell are asking the Grammy-nominated country star to stop using the moniker over concerns related to name recognition. Titchenell claimed the group first adopted its name around 1980 before obtaining a trademark in 2010 and renewing the paperwork in 2019.

According to the complaint, the band has been performing at "celebratory and charitable events" in the United States—first in the Delaware Valley and later throughout the Northeast—"since at least 1980."

Other notable onstage appearances by the group include two shows "at the White House for President George W. Bush and his family," per the court docs.

The official complaint also noted that the "Son of a Sinner" singer was sent a cease and desist letter from the band in February of this year. However, it's unclear if the notice was ever served as it was only sent to "email addresses believed to be associated with Defendant or Defendant’s management."

Jelly Roll, born Jason Bradley DeFord in 1984, has previously opened up about how he got his stage name and its significance after rising to fame in 2021. The nickname was given to him by his mother in his youth because he was a "chubby kid."

Since adopting the nickname as his professional moniker, Jelly Roll–whose career began in 2003 after he served time in prison on drug-related charges–has been on a sweet streak, scoring Grammy nominations, CMT awards, and, more recently, announcing a nationwide tour–part of what pushed the PA-based music group to launch the suit.

According to the official paperwork, the band alleges that the 39-year-old artist violated trademark infringement laws and caused "Unfair Competition by False Designation of Origin by Service Mark Infringement" and "injury to business reputation."

The plaintiffs are seeking "injunctive relief" against the defendant and are vying for him to change his name.

As of writing, the award-winning crooner has not publicly responded to the suit.

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