Jelly Roll was overcome with emotion while spending time with American Idol contestant Mia Matthews this week.

The country singer is serving as a mentor on the reality show this season, and he shared a powerful moment with the young singer during their session — one that left both of them in tears.

During Monday night’s episode, filmed at Disney’s Aulani Resort in Hawaii, Matthews revealed to Jelly Roll that her father was Hawaiian and actually grew up just 30 minutes away from the resort.

Unfortunately, she never got to experience her father’s hometown with him because he died before they could visit as a family.

To honor her dad, the young Idol hopeful chose to sing “Daddy’s Hands” from Holly Dunn. This struck a chord with Jelly Roll, who lost his own father in 2019, and he couldn’t help but tear up during her rehearsal.

“Every minute with Mia for me was probably the most emotional of the day, because I was so connected to my father,” Jelly explains in a separate interview.

He commended Matthews’ bravery for choosing that particular song, and the two spoke of how losing their fathers was the hardest experience of their lives.

It’s no surprise she captivated the judges when she sang the song during her performance — she delivered it perfectly.

Who Is Jelly Roll’s Dad?

Jelly Roll’s father was Horace “Buddy” DeFord. Born on Oct. 20, 1943, he grew up to become a meat salesman just outside of Nashville in Antioch, Tenn., where he raised Jelly Roll. He also worked as a bookie on the side.

Horace died on March 20, 2019, after a battle with cancer. He was 75 years old. He is survived by his younger brother, Buford, his four children, seven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Inspired by his father’s death, Jelly Roll wrote the song “Save Me” and released it in 2020. He has since re-released the track as a duet with Lainey Wilson.