‘CMA Country Christmas’ To Tape in November

Jennifer Nettles

Jennifer Nettles is slated to host CMA Country Christmas for the fourth consecutive year; the holiday music special will tape on Friday, Nov. 8 beginning at 7:30 p.m. CT on ABC.

“It’s really a joy for me to get to host ‘CMA Country Christmas,’” Nettles said. “I have so much fun doing it! I love the holiday season, and for me to get to be a part of this show for the fourth year in a row is a really big honor. What I love about doing this gig is that it’s the closest I’ve gotten to the old classic television variety shows. It is entertainment that everybody in the family can find fun, and I hope it’s something that keeps happening for years and years and years.”

Artists scheduled to take part include Trace Adkins, Luke Bryan, Sheryl Crow, Lucy Hale, Nettles, Jake Owen, Kellie Pickler, Rascal Flatts, Darius Rucker, and Michael W. Smith.

For the second year, audience members are being encouraged to bring a new, unwrapped toy to the taping to help make the holidays brighter for Nashville area children. The Nashville-based, non-profit group Generosity, will have volunteers on site with specially marked bins to collect the toys, which will be distributed to homeless families this holiday season. In 2012, the group collected more than 5,000 toys. Volunteers from Generosity will start accepting toys beginning Friday, Nov. 8 at 1 p.m. /CT at the Bridgestone Arena Plaza (corner of Fifth Avenue and Broadway, Nashville). You do not have to have a ticket to the show to drop off a toy.

“Our artists are extremely generous and so are our fans,” CMA Board President Ed Hardy said. “It is our goal to make sure no child goes without a present this Christmas and we are grateful to our partners at Generosity for helping to make this a dream come true for children in Nashville.”

Tickets for CMA Country Christmas are on sale now and can be purchased at ticketmaster.com; by calling (800) 745-3000; or in person at the Bridgestone Arena Box Office.