Frank Clarifies His Stance on Award Shows
On October 14, Forrest Frank addressed comments made by fellow artist Jelly Roll regarding the ethics of profiting from Christian music. This came a week after Frank publicly stated he would no longer attend award shows, citing personal convictions about receiving recognition for music made “from Jesus, for Jesus.” Frank emphasized his decision was rooted in his belief that eternal life, not trophies, is the ultimate reward.
Jelly Roll Questions the Financial Ethics
During his Dove Awards acceptance speech, Jelly Roll appeared to subtly criticize Frank by saying, “I thank God that I can see the forest for the trees.” He later directly questioned Frank on social media, asking how Frank reconciles avoiding awards for Jesus music while still earning millions from it. Jelly Roll’s comment sparked widespread debate, with both fans and artists weighing in.
Frank Shares His Reasoning
Frank initially avoided responding to Jelly Roll to sidestep drama, but felt compelled to speak after media coverage intensified. He explained that for years, he had avoided Christian music to prevent turning worship into business. When he eventually released music, he stated that it was self-produced and self-written, meaning the profits legally belonged to him. However, he refused to disclose what he does with the earnings, quoting Matthew 6:3: “Your left hand isn’t supposed to know from your right hand.”
Supporters and Detractors React
Supporters of Frank praise his transparency and commitment to his faith convictions. They view his stance as a refreshing counter to commercialism in Christian music. Detractors argue that accepting money while rejecting awards is inconsistent and potentially hypocritical. Jelly Roll’s comments reflect a wider concern about accountability in faith-based entertainment.
Dove Awards Controversy
Despite skipping the Dove Awards, Frank won three honors, including Artist of the Year. However, that award was removed from the televised portion due to Frank’s absence. The Gospel Music Association explained that if winners are not present or unable to send a video, their category is shifted to the pre-telecast.
Source:
‘I Love This Question’—Forrest Frank Answers Jelly Roll, Explains Profiting ‘From Jesus for Jesus’
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