Celebrate the Heart of Country, Americana, and Roots Music!

Drop Us A Line, Y'all

Y'all interested in advertising, partnering up, contributing stories, joining our team, or just got a question? Well, don't be shy, drop us a line!

Follow Us

LOOK: Wynonna Judd’s Daughter Released from Prison 6 Years Early

by
  • Arden is a Senior Country Music Journalist for Country Thang Daily, specializing in classic hits and contemporary chart-toppers.
  • Prior to joining Country Thang Daily, Arden wrote for Billboard and People magazine, covering country music legends and emerging artists.
  • Arden holds a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from the University of Tennessee, with a minor in Music Studies.

Wynonna Judd’s daughter, Grace Pauline Kelley, has been released from prison after being granted early parole.

Wynonna Judd’s Daughter is Released

Grace Pauline Kelley, who is now 23, was released from the West Tennessee State Penitentiary on Nov. 8 — 6 years early, according to People. Kelly received an 8-year sentence for breaking the terms of her probation for a 2017 drug charge.

In 2017, Judd’s daughter pled guilty to a series of drug charges, including the manufacture, delivery, sale, and possession of meth with intent in Williamson County Court.

That wasn’t the end of her charges, as Kelley was also charged with manufacturing and delivering meth in Maury County. She eventually pled guilty to the lesser possession of meth charge.

RELATED: Who is Grace Pauline Kelley That’s Been Tagged As Wynonna Judd’s Troubled Daughter 

Kelley was originally sentenced to 11 months and 29 days in jail. She was able to get her sentence suspended and instead served 30 days in jail and 180 days at an in-house rehab center.

An updated jail record shows that Kelley’s supervision status is listed as “parole.” The record also shows that Kelley is to report to parole office P94F until her sentence ends on Sept. 22, 2024.

Since her daughter has been dealing with legal woes, Wynonna Judd has become an activist for reform in the criminal justice system. She works with the nonprofit group Hope for Prisoners, which helps to reintegrate inmates into society after they are released with the goal of lowering the recidivism rate.

During a White House event for the National Day of Prayer, Judd was front and center saying that it was really using this time to speak out for the “unloved [and] people who feel forgotten.” She also notes that her project with the White House marks “the beginning of a new chapter.”

Judd met with Brooke Rollins, a senior staffer in the White House Office of American Innovation. Although she declined to disclose much of the details of her partnership, it is known that the meeting discussed criminal justice reform and ways the administration can continue to enhance reentry programs for inmates and curb the return-to-prison rate.

Latest Stories

Josh Turner and Sonya Isaacs performing a heartfelt rendition of Hank Williams' gospel classic 'I Saw the Light' at the Opry, honoring its timeless legacy.

Josh Turner and Sonya Isaacs’ Soulful Rendition of “I Saw the Light” at the Opry

Some songs transcend time, and Hank Williams’ “I Saw the Light” is one of those rare gems that feels as powerful today as it did when it was first penned. ...

Ben Haggard performing Merle Haggard's classic 'It's All in the Movies,' honoring his father's legacy while showcasing his own brilliant artistry.

Ben Haggard Breathes New Life into Merle Haggard’s “It’s All in the Movies”

Some songs never lose their shine. Merle Haggard’s “It’s All in the Movies” is one of those timeless tracks, and when his youngest son, Ben Haggard, steps up to perform ...

George Strait and Alan Jackson performing 'Remember When' and 'Troubadour' at the 50th CMA Awards, celebrating the timeless soul of country music.

The Iconic CMA Duet of Alan Jackson and George Strait

Some moments in country music aren’t just performances—they’re living history. George Strait and Alan Jackson took the stage together at the 50th CMA Awards in 2016, and it was one ...

Gene Watson performing his signature hit 'Farewell Party,' a hauntingly beautiful country classic that captures themes of loss and love.

Gene Watson’s “Farewell Party” Is a Heartbreaker for the Ages

Some songs cut straight to the bone, and Gene Watson’s “Farewell Party” is one of them. Released in 1979 as part of his Reflections album, Watson’s rendition of this country ...

Toby Keith’s Stunning Tribute to Hank Williams Jr. With “A Country Boy Can Survive”

In 2007, a remarkable event unfolded at the Gibson Amphitheater in Los Angeles when country, rock, and blues icons gathered to honor the legendary Hank Williams Jr. It was a ...

Kris Kristofferson and Rita Coolidge performing their duet 'Please Don't Tell Me How the Story Ends,' capturing the beauty and heartbreak of love's final moments.

Kris Kristofferson and Rita Coolidge’s Timeless Duet, “Please Don’t Tell Me How the Story Ends”

When Kris Kristofferson and Rita Coolidge sang together, their voices became an extension of their love story—beautiful, bittersweet, and undeniably real. Married in 1973 after a whirlwind meeting in an ...

Alison Krauss and Gillian Welch performing 'I'll Fly Away,' a soulful masterpiece from O Brother, Where Art Thou?, showcasing gospel roots and timeless harmonies.

How Alison Krauss’ “I’ll Fly Away” Became a Hymn for the Ages

There’s a magic in Alison Krauss’ voice, an ethereal quality that feels wrapped in sunlight and steeped in tradition. When she joined forces with Gillian Welch to record “I’ll Fly ...

Craig Morgan delivering an emotional performance of 'The Father, My Son, and the Holy Ghost' on The Kelly Clarkson Show, moving the audience to tears as he honors his son's memory.

Craig Morgan’s “The Father, My Son, and the Holy Ghost” Moves “The Kelly Clarkson Show” to Tears

In 2016, Craig Morgan faced a tragedy no parent should ever endure: the loss of his 19-year-old son, Jerry, in a tubing accident on Kentucky Lake. Morgan’s heartbreak was profound, ...

Jesse Keith Whitley and his son Jackie performing a heartfelt duet of 'Don't Close Your Eyes,' honoring Keith Whitley's legacy with a touching family tribute.

Jesse Keith Whitley and Son Jackie Duet “Don’t Close Your Eyes” in a Heartfelt Tribute

At Lorrie Morgan’s Spicy Hot Chicken Coop in Panama City Beach, Florida, fans were treated to a magical evening when Jesse Keith Whitley performed his father’s iconic song “Don’t Close ...

Patsy Cline and Willie Nelson brought together through modern technology for a duet of 'Just a Closer Walk with Thee,' blending their iconic voices in a timeless gospel masterpiece.

Willie Nelson Joins Patsy Cline for a Heavenly “Just a Closer Walk with Thee”

Patsy Cline’s tragic death in a 1963 plane crash left an irreplaceable void in country music. Her haunting voice, which gave us classics like “Cr𝐚zy” and “I Fall to Pieces,” ...