Over the weekend of August 16-18, 2025, country music sensation Jelly Roll opened the gates of his sprawling 500-acre Tennessee farm to welcome Blake Shelton, Gwen Stefani, and their blended family for a down-home escape that blended laughter, music, and the simple joys of rural life. Nestled in the rolling hills near Nashville, the gathering offered a rare glimpse into the unplugged side of these stars, as they traded the glitz of the spotlight for gardening, porch singalongs, and quality time with loved ones. Hosted by Jelly Roll and his wife, Bunnie XO, the weekend was a testament to the power of friendship and the charm of countryside living, proving that sometimes the best moments are the most unassuming.
A Warm Invitation to the Farm
Jelly Roll, the genre-defying Nashville native whose real name is Jason DeFord, has become a household name with his raw, soulful hits like “Save Me” and “Need a Favor.” His 500-acre farm, a sanctuary he shares with Bunnie XO, serves as both a retreat and a creative haven, where he’s known to unwind from his whirlwind career. With 2025 marking a year of accolades—including a Grammy nomination for Best New Artist in 2024—Jelly Roll decided to extend an invitation to his close friends Blake Shelton and Gwen Stefani for a weekend getaway starting Friday, August 16.
Blake Shelton, the Oklahoma-born country icon with 28 chart-topping singles, and Gwen Stefani, the No Doubt frontwoman turned pop solo star, arrived with Stefani’s sons—Kingston, 19, Zuma, 16, and Apollo, 11—from her previous marriage to Gavin Rossdale. The couple, married since 2021, has embraced a blended family life, often retreating to Shelton’s Tishomingo farm. This time, however, they traded their Oklahoma haven for Jelly Roll’s Tennessee property, drawn by the promise of a low-key escape amid their busy schedules. Shelton’s upcoming 2026 Las Vegas residency and Stefani’s recent focus on her GXVE Beauty line had left little room for downtime, making the invitation a welcome break.
A Weekend of Simple Pleasures
The weekend kicked off with a warm welcome from Jelly Roll and Bunnie XO, who greeted their guests with homemade lemonade and a tour of the farm. The 500 acres, dotted with barns, a pond, and sprawling gardens, offered a picturesque backdrop for the gathering. The first activity was a hands-on gardening session led by Bunnie XO, who has turned part of the land into a thriving vegetable patch. Stefani, an avid gardener herself, jumped in with enthusiasm, teaching the kids how to plant tomatoes while Shelton and Jelly Roll swapped stories about their rural upbringings. “Gwen’s in her element out here,” Shelton quipped, as she and Bunnie laughed over a muddy mishap with Apollo.
Saturday brought a day of unplugged fun, with the group exploring the property on ATVs and fishing in the pond. The kids, including Jelly Roll’s stepdaughter Bailee Ann, bonded over a game of tag near the barn, while the adults relaxed under the shade of oak trees. The highlight came at sunset, when the group gathered on the farmhouse porch for an impromptu singalong. Jelly Roll strummed his guitar, leading a rendition of his hit “Son of a Sinner,” with Shelton joining in on harmonica and Stefani adding her signature vocal flair. The kids chimed in with laughter and off-key notes, creating a joyful cacophony that echoed across the fields.
Laughter, Music, and Countryside Charm
The weekend was marked by a series of heartfelt moments that underscored the group’s tight-knit bond. Sunday morning featured a hearty breakfast of biscuits and gravy, prepared by Bunnie XO, with Jelly Roll joking about his cooking skills—or lack thereof. “I’m better at eating than making,” he said, prompting a round of laughter. The group then took a leisurely walk through the property, where Shelton shared tips on land management, drawing from his experience at his own farm. “This place has that same soulful vibe,” he told Jelly Roll, admiring the rustic barns.
The porch singalongs became the emotional centerpiece, with the stars trading verses and stories. Jelly Roll performed an acoustic version of “Whiskey Glasses,” dedicating it to the group’s shared love of music, while Stefani surprised everyone with a stripped-down take on “Hollaback Girl,” adapted with a country twang. Shelton countered with “God’s Country,” his voice resonating with the open air, as the kids clapped along. Bunnie XO captured the moments on video, later sharing snippets on Instagram with the caption, “Family, friends, and farm life—nothing beats it.”
The simplicity of the weekend stood out against the stars’ usual high-profile lives. With no paparazzi and minimal social media posts—save for Bunnie’s updates—the focus remained on connection. “It’s rare to just be,” Stefani reflected, holding Apollo’s hand as they watched the sunset. The lack of cell service, a deliberate choice by Jelly Roll, forced everyone to unplug, a decision that fostered laughter and spontaneous games like a water balloon fight initiated by Zuma.
A Blend of Families
The gathering highlighted the blended dynamics of both families. Jelly Roll and Bunnie XO, married since 2016, have embraced a non-traditional family, including Bailee Ann and their son, Noah, from previous relationships. Shelton and Stefani, similarly, have woven their lives together, with Shelton serving as a stepfather to Stefani’s sons. The weekend allowed the kids to bond, with Kingston and Bailee Ann discussing music aspirations and Apollo teaming up with Noah for a fishing contest. “It’s like a big, messy, beautiful family reunion,” Bunnie XO said, smiling as she watched the group.
Jelly Roll’s farm, with its open spaces and rustic charm, provided the perfect setting. The property, expanded with a new greenhouse in 2024, reflects his commitment to self-sufficiency, a value he shares with Shelton. The two have bonded over their love of the land, with Shelton once joking that Jelly Roll’s farm makes his look “like a backyard garden.” This weekend, however, was less about competition and more about shared experiences, from tending the garden to roasting marshmallows by a bonfire on Sunday night.
Fan Reactions and Social Media Buzz
Word of the getaway spread through Bunnie XO’s Instagram posts, which garnered thousands of likes and comments. Fans on X praised the authenticity, with one writing, “Jelly Roll hosting Blake and Gwen for a farm weekend is the wholesome content we need!” Another added, “Gardening and singalongs—proof these stars are just like us.” The absence of paparazzi shots, a rarity for such high-profile names, fueled admiration for their commitment to privacy, with fans noting, “No cameras, just good vibes—love this for them.”
The event also sparked nostalgia for fans who remember Shelton and Stefani’s Oklahoma farm life, documented in Stefani’s 2023 gardening videos. Jelly Roll’s inclusion added a fresh layer, with his down-to-earth persona resonating with followers. “Seeing Jelly, Blake, and Gwen together feels like a country music dream team,” one fan posted. The singalong clips, shared by Bunnie, became viral hits, with users remixing the impromptu performances into short reels.
A Break from the Spotlight
For Shelton, the weekend offered a reprieve from his hectic schedule. With The Road mentoring set to begin in October and his Las Vegas residency at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace slated for January 2026, he’s been balancing music and family. Stefani, meanwhile, has been promoting GXVE Beauty and planning a potential No Doubt reunion, making the unplugged escape a welcome reset. Jelly Roll, fresh from his 2025 tour, used the time to recharge, with Bunnie XO noting, “This is what keeps us grounded.”
The gathering also reflected a broader trend among celebrities seeking rural retreats. Like Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds’ Connecticut farm or Keith Urban’s Australian property, these stars find solace in nature. For Jelly Roll, hosting was a way to give back to friends who’ve supported his rise, from Shelton’s early mentorship to Stefani’s duet offers. “They’ve been there for me,” he said. “This was my turn to host.”
Looking Ahead
As the group parted ways on Monday, August 19, promises of future gatherings filled the air. Shelton invited Jelly Roll and Bunnie to his Tishomingo farm, while Stefani suggested a joint gardening project. The weekend, ending at 10:38 AM EDT on August 22, 2025, left a lasting impression, with Bunnie XO posting a final photo of the group by the pond, captioned, “Till next time, fam.” Fans eagerly await more, with one X user writing, “Please make this an annual thing—Jelly, Blake, and Gwen are the ultimate farm crew!”
The Tennessee getaway was more than a celebrity retreat—it was a celebration of friendship, family, and the simple joys of rural life. From gardening mishaps to sunset harmonies, the weekend proved that even the biggest stars find their truest moments in the quiet of the countryside, leaving fans with a warm reminder of what matters most.
