The 2016 CMA Music Festival began with a bang on Thursday (June 9). Free performances, fun fan events and a massive evening concert at Nissan Stadium highlighted Day 1 of the annual Nashville event -- oh, and some very special surprise guests.

Jason Aldean, Dierks BentleyKelsea Ballerini, Miranda LambertRascal Flatts and the Charlie Daniels Band thrilled the fans packed into Nissan Stadium on Thursday night. One of the biggest highlights of the night was Randy Travis' surprise appearance onstage with his fellow 2016 Country Music Hall of Fame inductee Daniels, as well as a second surprise appearance by Lady Antebellum and Cam, who performed “Burning House” and “Need You Now" together.

Readers can flip through the photo gallery above to see more from Day 1 of the 2016 CMA Music Festival. CMA Fest 2016 runs through Sunday (June 12); for more information, visit the CMA Music Festival’s official website.

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