"Sober Saturday Night" singer Chris Young will help kick off the 2016 CMA Music Festival during the event's official opening ceremony at Nashville's Ascend Amphitheater.

The CMA Fest kickoff is set for June 8 at 11AM, on the amphitheater's Skyview Stage. Young previously performed at the venue during his 2015 I'm Comin' Over World Tour.

“We are always looking at ways to grow the festival and enhance the experience for our fans,” says CMA Chief Executive Officer Sarah Trahern. “Adding this fantastic venue to our numerous free stages downtown is a great addition, and having Chris Young on hand to make it ‘official’ is icing on the cake.”

In addition to Young, there will be several other special guests at the CMA Fest opening ceremonies: Nashville Mayor Megan Barry, the Fisk Jubilee Singers and students from Metro Nashville Public Schools (a beneficiary of the festival).

“As a Middle Tennessee native and someone who grew up going to Fan Fair, it’s pretty cool to get to kick off CMA Music Festival and shine a spotlight on the CMA Foundation and the music education students the festival benefits,” says Young, also a member of the CMA Board of Directors.

The opening ceremonies are free and open to the public. The stage is located at the foot of Korean Veterans Boulevard and First Avenue (south of Riverfront Park), and gates will open at 10AM for the event.

The 2016 CMA Music Festival will be chock full of country music: The always-popular Riverfront Park stage will have Jake OwenRodney AtkinsCharles Esten, Tyler FarrJana KramerTracy LawrenceLoCashLove and TheftMaddie & TaeScotty McCreeryLorrie MorganJon Pardi, ParmaleeEric PaslayKellie Pickler and more. Fan Fair X will feature Hillary ScottCharles EstenMartina McBride and Charles Kelley, and the Country Music Hall of Fame has lined up several performances and autograph sessions with artists such as Blake SheltonCraig MorganScotty McCreeryLauren Alaina and Clare Dunn. For more information on who's playing and what you don't want to miss at the annual Nashville event, visit the CMA Music Festival's official website.

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