Chevy: The Official Ride of Country Music, will kick-off the 2010 CMA Music Festival, on Wednesday, June 9th, with “The Sixth Annual CMA Music Festival Kick-Off Parade” at 11:30 AM/CT, followed by “The Fifth Annual CMA Music Festival Block Party” at 1:00 PM/CT.

With Brenda Lee as Grand Marshal, other artists participating 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:
12:50 PM-12:55PM Bria Kelly (National Anthem)
1:00 PM-1:20 PM David Nail
1:35 PM-1:55 PM Chuck Wicks
2:10 PM-2:30 PM Jerrod Neimann
2:45 PM-3:15 PM Joe Nichols
3:30 PM-4:00 PM Randy Houser

The Block Party is just the beginning, with four more days of live entertainment on the Chevy Music Stage on the Bridgestone Arena Plaza. One of CMA Music Festival’s most popular spots, the Chevy Music Stage hosts some of Country Music’s most exciting acts, and all of the performances are free and open to the public.

Chevy Music Stage on the Bridgestone Arena Plaza
Hours: Thursday – Sunday, June 10-13 11:00 AM-6:00 PM
Artists performing

Thursday, June 10
11:00 AM-11:25 AM Bomshel
11:45 AM-12:10 PM Tyler Dickerson
12:30 PM-12:55 PM Jaron and the Long Road to Love
1:15 PM-1:40 PM Blaine Larsen
2:00 PM-2:25 PM Randy Montana
2:45 PM-3:10 PM Kentucky HeadHunters
3:30 PM-4:30 PM Classic Country Show featuring Lynn Anderson, Jim Ed Brown
with Helen Cornelius, Jeannie Seely, and Gene Watson
4:50 PM-5:15 PM Doug Stone

Friday, June 11
11:00 AM-11:25 AM James Wesley
11:45 AM-12:10 PM Katie Armiger
12:30 PM-12:55 PM Mark Wills
1:15 PM-1:40 PM Fast Ryde
2:00 PM-2:25 PM The Harters
2:45 PM-3:10 PM Steve Azar
3:30 PM-3:55 PM Chris Janson
4:15 PM-4:40 PM Brantley Gilbert
5:00 PM-5:25 PM Emily West

Saturday, June 12
11:00 AM-11:25 AM Trent Tomlinson
11:45 AM-12:10 PM Jesse Lee
12:30 PM-12:55 PM Brady Seals
1:15 PM-1:40 PM Mallary Hope
2:00 PM-2:25 PM Ash Bowers
2:45 PM-3:10 PM Julie Roberts
3:30 PM-3:55 PM Jason Boland
4:15 PM-4:40 PM Thompson Square
5:00 PM-5:25 PM Shel
5:45 PM-6:10 PM Bo Bice

Sunday, June 13
11:45 AM-12:10 PM Whitney Duncan
12:30 PM-12:55 PM KingBilly
1:15 PM-1:40 PM Carter’s Chord
2:00 PM-2:25 PM Confederate Railroad
2:45 PM-3:10 PM Jason Michael Carroll
3:30 PM-3:55 PM Trailer Choir
4:15 PM-4:40 PM LoCash Cowboys
5:00 PM-5:25 PM Stealing Angels

In addition to the musical entertainment, fans will have an opportunity to test drive a Chevy vehicle and support flood relief at the same time. Located on Fifth Avenue between Broadway and Demonbreun Street, the Chevy Ride and Drive will take place Thursday through Sunday, June 10-13, from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM/CT. Attendees will be able to test drive a brand new Chevy vehicle of their choice including the all new Camaro, Silverado, Traverse, Equinox and Malibu. Chevy will donate $10 for every test drive to the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee to help provide disaster relief for victims of the recent floods.

Music fans will have an opportunity to win a ticket upgrade to the Nightly Concerts at LP Field. Throughout the Festival, fans can text CHEVY to 66937 for a chance to win the best seats in the house at LP Field.  But the fun doesn’t stop there.  Chevy will also host activities, appearances and meet and greets on the Chevy Stage in the Sports Zone.

For more information, visit www.CMAfest.com

Got some country music gossip and don’t wanna be a tattle tale? Email me, Tawny Tucker, Tawny@countrymusictattletale.com