‘CMA Country Christmas’ Rises In Ratings

Mary J. Blige and Jennifer Nettles

ABC’s CMA Country Christmas brought in 7.35 million viewers on Tuesday evening (Dec. 2), according to reports from Zap2It.com. The Christmas special’s viewership ratings gained a 1.5, up a tenth from last year’s 1.4 rating among adults 18-49. Last year, the special brought in 7.21 million viewers.

Host Jennifer Nettles opened the show with a sparkling version of “What Christmas Means To Me.” Luke Bryan and Duck Dynasty‘s Willie Robertson shared a duet of “Hairy Christmas,” a song featured on Duck The Halls: A Robertson Family Christmas. Bryan also performed “Run Run Rudolph.” Rascal Flatts offered a rendition of “A Strange Way To Save The World,” while Lady Antebellum devoted “I’ll Be Home To Christmas” to members of the military.

Darius Rucker‘s performance of “Happy Christmas (War Is Over)” was aided by a children’s choir. Other highlights included performances from Trace Adkins (“Silent Night”), Sheryl Crow (“Chestnuts Roasting On An Open Fire”), Lucy Hale (“Home”), Jake Owen (“Mele Kalikimaka”), Hunter Hayes (“Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow”), Kellie Pickler (“The Man With The Bag”) and others.

Nettles’ versatile vocals were displayed on flawless collaborations with Mary J. Blige (“Do You Hear What I Hear?”) and Michael W. Smith (“Christmas Day”).

Watch Jennifer Nettles and Mary J. Blige perform “Do You Hear What I Hear?”