On August 5, 2025, under a golden sunset at Nashville’s Centennial Park, country-rap star Jelly Roll delivered a performance that transcended music, becoming a spiritual homage to the late Ozzy Osbourne. As he whispered, “I can’t bring Ozzy back… but I can carry his spirit up into the sky tonight,” the crowd of thousands fell silent, the wind stilled, and the air seemed to shimmer with reverence. With a single acoustic guitar, a candlelit stage, and tears streaming down his face, Jelly Roll’s rendition of Osbourne’s 1991 power ballad “Mama, I’m Coming Home” soared like a prayer, resonating with fans and honoring the legacy of the Prince of Darkness. This article explores the cast of performers, the emotional weight of the concert, and the unexpected moments that made this tribute a defining event in Jelly Roll’s career.

The Cast: A Stage of Friends and Legends

The Centennial Park concert, part of Jelly Roll’s appearance at the Grand Ole Opry’s summer series, was a stripped-down affair compared to his usual high-energy shows. The event was billed as a one-night-only acoustic set, with Jelly Roll—born Jason DeFord—headlining alongside a small but significant ensemble of collaborators who amplified the night’s emotional depth.

Jelly Roll (Jason DeFord): The Grammy-nominated artist, known for genre-blending hits like “Son of a Sinner” and “Save Me,” brought his raw, soulful voice to the forefront. His connection to Osbourne stemmed from a lifelong admiration, cemented by his 2024 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame performance of “Mama, I’m Coming Home.” At Centennial Park, Jelly Roll’s vulnerability was palpable, his tear-streaked face reflecting both personal loss and gratitude for Osbourne’s influence.

Zakk Wylde: The legendary guitarist, who co-wrote and played on Osbourne’s original “Mama, I’m Coming Home,” joined Jelly Roll for the tribute. Wylde’s acoustic riffs added a haunting texture, echoing the song’s original intensity while adapting it to the intimate setting. His presence bridged Osbourne’s heavy metal legacy with Jelly Roll’s country-rap roots, creating a seamless fusion.

Bunnie XO (Alyssa DeFord): Jelly Roll’s wife and podcast host, Bunnie XO, made a surprise appearance, not as a performer but as a narrator of sorts. Before the tribute, she shared a heartfelt story about how Osbourne’s music helped her and Jelly Roll navigate their struggles with addiction, setting an emotional tone for the performance.

Supporting Musicians: A small ensemble, including a local Nashville violinist and a percussionist, provided subtle backing, ensuring the focus remained on Jelly Roll’s vocals and Wylde’s guitar. The simplicity of the arrangement amplified the sacred atmosphere, as described by fans on X, who called it “like a church service under the stars.”

The concert was a departure from Jelly Roll’s typical high-octane performances, such as those on Post Malone’s BIG ASS Stadium Tour, which kicked off in April 2025. Instead, the Centennial Park set was a moment of reflection, dedicated to Osbourne, who passed away on July 22, 2025, at age 76, shortly after his final concert in Birmingham, England.

The Narrative: A Tribute Born from Grief and Gratitude

The Centennial Park concert was not part of Jelly Roll’s official 2025 tour schedule, which includes festival appearances like Lasso Music Festival and iHeartRadio Music Festival, as well as European dates with Post Malone. Instead, it was a last-minute addition, announced days after Osbourne’s death, as a way for Jelly Roll to honor a musical hero whose work had profoundly shaped his life. The choice of Centennial Park, a Nashville landmark, was symbolic—Jelly Roll, a native of Antioch, Tennessee, wanted to pay tribute in his hometown, where he first discovered Osbourne’s music as a teenager.

The concert began at dusk, with the stage adorned with candles and a single spotlight illuminating Jelly Roll and his guitar. The setlist included his own hits like “Save Me” and “Liar,” but the night’s centerpiece was the tribute to Osbourne. Before launching into “Mama, I’m Coming Home,” Jelly Roll spoke candidly to the crowd, his voice breaking: “Ozzy’s music was there when I was at my lowest, locked up, feeling like I’d never make it out. He sang about pain, rebellion, and hope, and that’s what carried me through. I can’t bring Ozzy back… but I can carry his spirit up into the sky tonight.”

The performance itself was raw and unpolished, a stark contrast to Jelly Roll’s criticized 2024 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame rendition, which some fans called “out of his lane” due to technical issues. At Centennial Park, however, the acoustic setting allowed Jelly Roll’s soulful, gravelly voice to shine, complemented by Wylde’s intricate guitar work. Fans described the moment as “transcendent,” with one X post noting, “When Jelly sang ‘Mama, I’m Coming Home,’ it felt like Ozzy was there, watching from above.” Bunnie XO’s pre-performance remarks about their shared connection to Osbourne’s music—particularly its themes of overcoming personal demons—added a layer of intimacy, making the tribute feel like a communal act of mourning and celebration.

The concert also served as a nod to Osbourne’s final performance at the Back to the Beginning festival in Birmingham on July 5, 2025, which raised nearly $200 million for charity and featured tributes from Metallica, Guns N’ Roses, and Dolly Parton. Jelly Roll’s decision to honor Osbourne so soon after his passing underscored the rock legend’s influence across genres, from heavy metal to country, and highlighted Jelly Roll’s own journey of redemption, a theme central to his music and Osbourne’s solo career.

Plot Twists: Unexpected Moments That Defined the Night

The Centennial Park concert was filled with moments that caught the audience off guard, elevating the event from a simple tribute to a profound communal experience:

Bunnie XO’s Emotional Introduction: Her unexpected appearance to share a personal story about Osbourne’s impact was a surprise that set the tone for the evening. She revealed that “No More Tears” was a song she and Jelly Roll listened to during their darkest moments, making the tribute deeply personal. This revelation shifted the concert’s narrative, framing it as a love letter to Osbourne from a couple who found solace in his music.

Zakk Wylde’s Impromptu Solo: During “Mama, I’m Coming Home,” Wylde broke into an unplanned acoustic solo, extending the song’s outro as the crowd swayed silently. Fans on X called it “a moment of pure magic,” noting how Wylde’s guitar seemed to channel Osbourne’s spirit. This improvisation was unscripted, as Jelly Roll later shared in a post-concert interview, adding to the night’s raw authenticity.

Audience Participation: As Jelly Roll sang the final chorus, the crowd spontaneously lit up their phone flashlights, creating a sea of lights that mirrored the candlelit stage. This unprompted gesture, described by attendees as “like stars coming to life,” turned the performance into a shared ritual, amplifying its emotional weight.

Jelly Roll’s Tears: The singer’s visible emotion—tears streaming as he sang—was a departure from his usual confident stage presence. Fans noted that his vulnerability, coupled with his admission of feeling “unworthy” to honor Osbourne, made the performance feel like a cathartic release for both artist and audience.

A Surprise Guest: Midway through the set, local Nashville musician Sierra Ferrell, who has toured with Jelly Roll on Post Malone’s BIG ASS Stadium Tour, joined for a brief duet on “Save Me.” Her appearance was unannounced, and her haunting harmonies added an unexpected layer to the evening, tying Jelly Roll’s music to Osbourne’s themes of struggle and redemption.

These moments, combined with the minimalist staging, created an atmosphere that fans described as “sacred” and “otherworldly.” Unlike Jelly Roll’s 2024 Rock Hall performance, which faced criticism for production issues, the Centennial Park tribute was universally praised on X, with posts calling it “a once-in-a-lifetime moment” and “the best tribute Ozzy could’ve asked for.”

The Broader Context: Honoring a Legend

Ozzy Osbourne’s death on July 22, 2025, marked the end of an era for rock music. Inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2006 with Black Sabbath and again in 2024 as a solo artist, Osbourne’s influence spanned decades, from heavy metal anthems like “Crazy Train” to ballads like “Mama, I’m Coming Home.” His final concert, described as a “farewell” by Sharon Osbourne, was a celebration of his legacy, and Jelly Roll’s tribute built on that momentum.

Jelly Roll’s connection to Osbourne was not just musical but personal. Both artists share narratives of overcoming addiction and adversity, themes that resonate in Jelly Roll’s lyrics and Osbourne’s solo work. Osbourne himself praised Jelly Roll’s “soulful, pure, and dirty” voice before the 2024 Rock Hall induction, a sentiment that underscored the authenticity of Jelly Roll’s tribute.

The concert also highlighted Nashville’s role as a crossroads for musical genres. Centennial Park, with its history of hosting diverse acts, was the perfect backdrop for a performance that blended country, rap, and rock. The event’s timing, shortly after Osbourne’s passing, made it a focal point for fans grieving the loss of a legend, with X posts reflecting a sense of unity: “Jelly Roll didn’t just sing for Ozzy—he sang for all of us who grew up on his music.”

Why It Matters

The Centennial Park concert was more than a performance; it was a testament to music’s power to heal, unite, and honor. Jelly Roll’s emotional delivery, coupled with the unexpected contributions from Zakk Wylde, Bunnie XO, and Sierra Ferrell, created a night that fans will remember for years. The tribute underscored Jelly Roll’s versatility as an artist who can bridge country, rap, and rock, while paying homage to a figure who defied genre boundaries himself.

As Jelly Roll continues his 2025 tour, including stops at the Grand Ole Opry and international dates with Post Malone, the Centennial Park performance stands out as a career-defining moment. It was a reminder of his roots in Nashville, his gratitude for his fans, and his commitment to using music as a vessel for redemption and connection. For those who witnessed it, the night was a sacred pause—a chance to say goodbye to Ozzy Osbourne and celebrate his spirit through Jelly Roll’s heartfelt tribute.