Jann Arden and Paul Brandt named 2016 Calgary Stampede parade marshals

In honour of the city's Year of Music, the 2016 Calgary Stampede will be led by two parade marshals and talented musicians singers Paul Brandt and Jann Arden.

Alberta singers will lead July parade

Danielle Nerman CBC News Posted: Jun 08, 2016 2:32 PM EDT | Last Updated: June 8, 2016

Singers Paul Brandt and Jann Arden pose in June on top of the 1966 Pontiac Bonneville they will be riding in during the 2016 Calgary Stampede parade. (Jeff McIntosh/Canadian Press)

Calgary Stampede officials have named Alberta singers Jann Arden and Paul Brandt as joint parade marshals in honour of the city's Year of Music.

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"These individuals have talent, brand, values and personalities that reflect those of Calgary and its citizens," said Calgary Stampede president Bill Gray, who made the announcement on Wednesday.

"It seemed very fitting, this being Calgary's Year of Music."

Sweet ride

The pair made quite the entrance, sitting in the back of a convertible with the licence plate "YEEEHAW".

Outrageous vintage car to ride in 2016 Calgary Stampede parade

8 years ago

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Calgary Stampede Parade marshals Jann Arden and Paul Brandt will be riding in a1966 Pontiac Bonneville is decorated with more than 300 silver dollars coins.

The dash of the 1966 Pontiac Bonneville is decorated with more than 300 silver dollars coins and the front bench seats are separated by a leather saddle.

The car was customized by the late Nudie Cohn, an American tailor who made rhinestone suits and outrageous western wear for Elvis Presley, Elton John, John Lennon, Johnny Cash and John Wayne.

The 1966 Pontiac Bonneville is decorated with more than 300 silver dollars coins and the front bench seats are separated by a leather saddle. (CBC)

The vintage car that the 2016 Calgary Stampede parade marshals will be riding in was customized by the late Nudie Cohn, an American tailor who created outrageous western wear for Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash and John Wayne. (CBC)

Just call them 'PB&J'

"I'm looking forward to eating things," said Arden about the 2016 Stampede, which runsfrom July 8-17, with the parade opening the internationally-known event.

"They've already started calling us PB&J," said Brandt.

Both musicians reminisced aboutwatching the Stampede parade as children. Arden said she had"maybe missed four or five Stampedes" in her entire life.

Ardensaid she's thrilled to lead the parade and joked that she's "excited about a chance to, perhaps, sleep with Paul."

"Well you already got me in the back seat of thatcar," laughedBrandt.

First responders honoured

In 2013, the Calgary Stampede parade tipped its cowboy hat to police, EMS and other local agencies who stepped up during the southern Alberta floods.

Gray said that's going to happen again this year with a "special tribute" to first responders in the Fort McMurray wildfires.

Recent Stampede parade marshals include actorWilliam Shatner, astronaut Chris Hadfield, singer Ian Tysonand "Man in Motion"Rick Hansen.

Actor William Shatner was the Calgary Stampede marshal last year. (Jeff McIntosh/Canadian Press)

Astronaut Chris Hadfield waves to the crowds during the Calgary Stampede parade in 2013. (Jeff McIntosh/Canadian Press)

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External Links

Calgary Stampede Parade

Calgary Year of Music