Brenda Lee Leads CMA Fest Parade, Randy Houser Headlines Block Party

Brenda Lee is playing a prominent role in this year's CMA Music Fest. The veteran singer will serve as the Grand Marshal for "The Sixth Annual CMA Music Festival Kick-Off Parade," and lead participants in a ride through downtown Nashville Wednesday afternoon. Other parade stars include Rodney Atkins -- who was last year's Grand Marshal -- as well as Lonestar, James Otto, Chuck Wicks, Gloriana, The Band Perry, Pam Tillis, and Lynn Anderson. Fans lining the streets will also see the Carter Twins, Trent Tomlinson, Bo Bice, Jerrod Niemann, Buddy Jewell, Josh Gracin, and Cold Ford, while the Music City Drum & Bugle Corps, the Boy Scouts of Middle Tennessee, and the Nashville Predators Dancers and the hockey team's mascot, Gnash will also be along for the ride. After the parade fans can gather at the Bridgestone Arena Plaza for "The Fifth Annual CMA Music Festival Block Party." Randy Houser is headlining the free show, which also features Joe Nichols, Chuck Wicks, David Nail, and Jerrod Niemann. While fan club parties, autograph signing sessions, benefits, and other events have been going on all week, the CMA Music Fest officially begins on Thursday and runs through Sunday with concerts and other events scheduled throughout each day at venues across downtown Nashville.