Kelsea Ballerini, Kelly Clarkson and more are scheduled to perform
Some of the music industry’s most well-known names have gathered to ring in the holiday spirit during CMA Country Christmas, a two-hour special hosted for the seventh year by Jennifer Nettles airing Monday, November 28th from 8-10 pm ET on the ABC Television Network.
Scheduled to be taped at the Grand Ole Opry House on Tuesday, November 8th at 7 pm CT; doors open from 5:30-6:30 PM/CT, the special is a celebration of the season featuring inspired performances from Joey Alexander, Kelsea Ballerini, Kelly Clarkson, Andra Day, Brett Eldredge, Amy Grant, Sarah McLachlan, Idina Menzel, Kacey Musgraves, Nettles, Brad Paisley, Rascal Flatts, Jordan Smith, Trisha Yearwood, Chris Young and Loretta Lynn, who will be making her first appearance on the special.
Nettles, who is hosting the special for the seventh time this year, is set to release her first holiday album, To Celebrate Christmas, on October 28th on Big Machine Records. The project includes several collaborations, including harmonies with Menzel on “Little Drummer Boy,” and the Jazz-influenced melody alongside American-soul sensation Day on “God Rest Ye Merry Gentleman.”
A popular feature of the CMA Country Christmas taping is a toy drive. Audience members are invited to bring an unwrapped toy for deserving children in need throughout Middle Tennessee. In 2015, through a partnership with ABC Television Network and the U.S. Marine Corps’ Toys for Tots program, CMA collected more than 5,000 unwrapped gifts.
