Contest winners were thrilled when The Arkells were announced as the Budweiser Blank Ticket Mystery Artist and took the stage at Nashville North Thursday night for the unofficial kick-off to Stampede.     

The five-man band from Hamilton, Ontario, performed songs from their sophomore album, Michigan Left, and donned cowboy hats in Stampede fashion.

They even played a few country covers, including a song from Nashville sweetheart Taylor Swift.

A Stampede spokesperson says the show is always a great reminder of all the free entertainment the event offers continuing right through July 15th.