CMA Country Christmas

Viewers in the audience and at home could only watch in amazement as two of the finest guitarists around traded licks during Thursday night’s ‘CMA Country Christmas’ special on ABC. Brian Setzer sang while Brad Paisley took lead on ‘Sleigh Ride’ and ‘Boogie Woogie Santa Claus.’

Faith Hill knows the true meaning of Christmas — it’s making sure the reindeer are fed. After spilling the intimate details of her holiday traditions with her country cowboy husband Tim McGraw during the ‘CMA Country Christmas’ special, the blonde songstress laid down a good kind of sleepy song: the classic ‘Little Drummer Boy.’

After many Christmas classics were being performed on ‘CMA Country Christmas’ Thursday night, Little Big Town mixed things up a bit with a soulful and rockin’ performance of ‘Santa Claus Is Back in Town.’

Scotty McCreery made a big Christmas wish come true for one of his fans in the audience of the ‘CMA Country Christmas’ special.

Miss Piggy was looking to nab herself a Big Vinny at the ‘CMA Country Christmas’ special on ABC on Thursday night. Piggy and Vince Gill’s steamy performance of ‘Baby It’s Cold Outside’ ended in a PG-13 rated makeout session … with Gill’s wife watching from offstage.

‘Snow flurries’ fell from the ‘sky’ in the Bridgestone Arena as the three Rascal Flatts wise guys — err, men (in host Jennifer Nettles’ words) — delivered a soft and sweet version of the classic, ‘White Christmas’ during the ‘CMA Country Christmas’ special.

During Thursday night’s second annual ‘CMA Country Christmas’ special on ABC, Darius Rucker treated fans to one of the best vocally delivered performances of the evening when he sung ‘Winter Wonderland.’

Lauren Alaina charmed the live and television audiences during tonight’s ‘CMA Country Christmas’ special. Sitting in front of giant Christmas trees surrounded by children, Alaina told Sugarland‘s Jennifer Nettles that this past year has made her truly appreciate her family because she’s been away from them so frequently.

The second annual ‘CMA Country Christmas’ special opened with host Jennifer Nettles wearing sequins, ruffles and tails. The well dressed country starlet looked glamorous backed by a dashing dance troupe swinging candy cane striped canes in perfect harmony as she sang ‘All I Want for Christmas Is You.’

‘American Idol’ runner-up Lauren Alaina will perform ‘My Grown Up Christmas List’ during next month’s ‘CMA Country Christmas’ special, which airs on ABC. The show was taped last Thursday in Nashville, and a fan video captured the 17-year-old taking on the song that was first made famous in country circles by Amy Grant.

We can’t think of a better way to spend the holiday season than with a full lineup of country’s hottest stars, and on December 1, we’ll have the pleasure of inviting Scotty McCreery, Lauren Alaina, Sugarland, Brad Paisley and more into our homes via our television screens. The ‘CMA Country Christmas’ event will air on ABC at 8PM ET that evening, but will be recorded live from Nashville a few weeks

When country’s finest return to Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena to film this year’s ‘CMA Country Christmas’ special on November 10, there will be some familiar faces on stage — starting with the event’s host. As she did last year, Sugarland‘s Jennifer Nettles will emcee the evening, which finds country stars sharing personal stories and performing some of their favorite holiday songs.