Rock star Ozzy Osbourne was so blown away after seeing some Kentucky kids playing a unique version of his signature song that he sent them a $10,000 donation.

"Myself, my whole family and my fans all loved your rendition of 'Crazy Train,'" Osbourne wrote in a letter to the Louisville Leopard Percussionists. "Keep up the good work."

The group is made up of more than 60 kids - age 7-14 - from 48 different schools in the Louisville area. Their percussion version takes the heavy metal hit and transforms it into a multi-textured version using marimbas, bells and drums.

The Louisville Leopards have already performed onstage with the rock band My Morning Jacket and worked with jazz performers Dave Samuels and Louie Bellson. Their excellent version of Led Zepplin's Kashmir drew 4 million views and praise from Jimmy Page on Facebook earlier this year.

(WATCH the "Crazy Train" get mellow in the video below or READ more at the Louisville Courier-Journal)

Homepage photo by Portal Focka, CC

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