Jelly Roll and Keith Urban Ignite CMA Fest 2025 with Explosive “Halfway to Hell” Performance

Nashville’s Nissan Stadium was a powder keg of raw energy on June 6, 2025, as Jelly Roll and Keith Urban unleashed a jaw-dropping performance of “Halfway to Hell” during CMA Fest’s second night. What started as a high-octane set by Jelly Roll, born Jason DeFord, turned into a seismic moment when he paused to shout, “CMA Fest, I’d like to bring my buddy Keith Urban to the stage right now!” The crowd of over 50,000 erupted into a frenzy, and what followed was a masterclass in country music chaos—equal parts soul, sweat, and sheer firepower.

Jelly Roll, riding the wave of his fifth No. 1 hit with “Halfway to Hell,” owned the stage with his signature blend of grit and redemption. The song, a standout from his 2024 album Whitsitt Chapel, pulses with introspective lyrics and a driving beat that demands attention. As he belted out lines like “You ain’t nothin’ but a liar/ Yeah, I walk right out the fire,” the audience sang along, their voices echoing through the night. Then, without warning, Keith Urban stormed out, guitar in hand, and the energy skyrocketed. Urban, a 13-time CMA Award winner, shredded fiery solos that added a new layer of intensity to the track, his virtuosic playing weaving seamlessly with Jelly Roll’s raw vocals. The two shared a handshake and a brotherly hug, a nod to their shared battles with addiction and their triumphs in music.

The performance wasn’t just a musical moment—it was a visceral experience. Fans described it as feeling like “the world stopped and exploded all at once.” The stadium shook with screams as Urban’s guitar wailed, and Jelly Roll prowled the stage, feeding off the crowd’s electric response. Social media posts on X captured the chaos, with one fan writing, “Jelly Roll and Keith Urban just set Nashville on FIRE. My heart’s still racing!” Another posted, “That hug at the end? That was two survivors saying, ‘We made it.’” The duo’s chemistry was undeniable, their shared history of overcoming personal demons adding depth to every note.

For Jelly Roll, the night was deeply personal. Performing in his hometown, he pointed to the nearby juvenile detention center, saying, “I was in that building. Now I’m headlining CMA Fest. You can do anything.” His words resonated, turning the performance into a testament to redemption and resilience. Urban, too, brought his A-game, his guitar work described as “a lightning bolt” by attendees. The crowd’s chants of “Jelly! Jelly!” mingled with cheers for Urban, creating a wall of sound that felt almost tangible.

This wasn’t Jelly Roll’s only surprise that night. He also joined Shaboozey for “Amen” and Brandon Lake for “Hard Fought Hallelujah,” cementing his status as CMA Fest’s breakout star. But it was the “Halfway to Hell” duet that stole the show, a moment that will be replayed on platforms like ABC and Hulu for years to come. Broadcast as part of the CMA Fest TV special, the performance has already garnered millions of views online, with fans calling it “the definition of country soul.”

As the final chords rang out, Jelly Roll and Urban embraced again, their silhouettes against bursts of sparks and flames. It was more than a concert—it was a celebration of survival, music, and the unbreakable spirit of Nashville. For those lucky enough to witness it, the memory of that night will burn bright forever.