The CMA Music Festival will officially kick off with a Chevy-sponsored parade June 9 in downtown Nashville at 11:30 a.m. The parade will feature members of the National Guard driving country artists in various Chevy vehicles. Brenda Lee is the grand marshal. Other participating artists include: Lynn Anderson, Katie Armiger, Rodney Atkins, the Band Perry, Bo Bice, Ash Bowers, Carter Twins, Jeff Cook, Diana DeGarmo, Fast Ryde, Colt Ford, Brantley Gilbert, Gloriana, Josh Gracin, the Grascals, the Harters, Buddy Jewell, KingBilly, Jesse Lee, LoCash Cowboys, Lonestar, Jerrod Neimann, James Otto, Danielle Peck, Point of Grace, Marty Raybon, Pam Tillis, Trent Tomlinson and Chuck Wicks.

Beginning at the corner of Church Street and Second Avenue, the procession will travel down Second Avenue to Broadway, turn right onto Broadway and end at Sixth Avenue.

Following the parade, the fifth annual CMA Music Festival Block Party will take place on the Chevy Music Stage on the Bridgestone Arena Plaza (at the corner of Fifth Avenue and Broadway). Free and open to the public, the lineup includes David Nail (1 p.m.), Wicks (1:35 p.m.), Niemann (2:10 p.m.), Joe Nichols (2:45 p.m.) and Randy Houser (3:30 p.m.).

That same stage will play host to lots more artists over the next four days. The June 10 lineup includes Bomshel, Tyler Dickerson, Jaron and the Long Road to Love, Blaine Larsen, Randy Montana, Kentucky HeadHunters, Anderson, Jim Ed Brown 
with Helen Cornelius, Jeannie Seely, Gene Watson
and Doug Stone. Performers on June 11 include James Wesley, Armiger, Mark Wills, Fast Ryde, the Harters, Steve Azar, Chris Janson, Gilbert
and Emily West.

Taking the stage June 12 are Trent Tomlinson, Lee, Brady Seals, Mallary Hope, Bowers, Julie Roberts, Jason Boland, Thompson Square, Shel
and Bice. Artists scheduled for June 13 are Whitney Duncan, KingBilly, Carter’s Chord, Confederate Railroad, Jason Michael Carroll, Trailer Choir, LoCash Cowboys
and Stealing Angels.