To kick off the holiday season, I will be posting a daily article under the header December to Remember from now until December 25. There's no better way to get things started that with the second annual CMA Country Christmas special. Taped just last month at Nashville's Bridgestone Arena, and hosted by Sugarland's Jennifer Nettles, the holiday music event airs tonight, Thursday, December 1 on ABC at 9/8c.
Nettles, who hosted last year's inaugural CMA Country Christmas, joins her Sugarland partner, Kristian Bush for a beautiful rendition of Silent Night. As host of the special, Nettles also introduces the audience to each of the talented musicians and singers taking part in the special.
Among the show's highlights are classic holiday fare like Jingle Bell Rock, in which Kellie Pickler and a bevy of beautiful elves dance while the country cutie belts out Brenda Lee's iconic tune. Keith Urban plays guitar and sings The Christmas Song and also provides guitar licks during Little Big Town's version of Santa Claus is Back In Town.LBT also harmonizes on Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas. Later on, Darius Rucker rocks out withWinter Wonderland.
Other performances include American Idol runner-up Lauren Alaina, who takes on Grown Up Christmas List.Idol winner Scotty McCreery showcases his rich baritone vocals withThe First Noel and also makes a Christmas dream come true for one lucky audience member. Rocker-turned-big-band guitaristBrian Setzer and his orchestra duet with Brad Paisley on Sleigh Ride and Boogie Woogie Santa Claus and Rascal Flatts perform the holiday classic White Christmas and the more modern Mary Did You Know.
Three of country's most talented ladies, Faith Hill, Amy Grant and Martina McBride provide the night's most touching moments. Faith Hill brings down the house with a stirring rendition of Little Drummer Boy. Amy Grant also touches on the reason for the season with Breath of Heaven (Mary's Song) with husband Vince Gill lending background vocals. While Martina McBride shines in a moving rendition of Please Come Home for Christmas.
Vince also solos on It's The Most Wonderful Time of the Year, and in what I have to say is my personal favorite CMA Country Christmas moment, Vince returns for a third number, this time with duet partner, Miss Piggy as they hog the spotlight for a comical version of Baby, It's Cold Outside.
The special wraps with an all-in sing-a-long of the Christmas favorite, Jingle Bells. During the live taping on November 10, Jingle Bells was the first number taped for the special. I can only hope tonight's televised edit includes some of the outtakes, as the cast of talented musicians and singers hadn't had a full rehearsal and the initial takes were quite comical. There was even a point during an early taken when Pickler missed her lyric and blurted out a certain S-word, which prompted GAC's Storme Warren , who was on-hand as host to the live audience, to announce to the audience, "Kellie, I just got a call from the north pole and you're now on Santa's naughty list.
Whether the outtakes make it to air or not, one thing is for sure, Thursday's special will include segments in which the stars chat about their favorite Christmas memories and lots of wishlist-worthy performances.
The CMA Country Christmas two-hour special airs on ABC Thursday, December 1 beginning at 9/8c.
Be sure and sign up for email reminders when I've posted a new article, by clicking the "Subscribe to get instant updates" link located just below the headline in the above article. Check out ALL of my National Columns, as well as my Nashville-based Celebrity News Column via the links below:
CLICK HERE for my National Turner Classic Movies Column
CLICK HERE for my National Daytime TV Column
CLICK HERE for my National Pretty Little Liars Column
CLICK HERE for my National CMT Column
Comments