Watch Jennifer Nettles Open ‘CMA Country Christmas’ 2016 With ‘Cool Yule’
Jennifer Nettles was all over the stage during the 2016 CMA Country Christmas TV special on Monday night (Nov. 28), but one of her biggest performances came right at the start of the night. The returning CMA Country Christmas host opened the two-hour holiday spectacular with a performance of "Cool Yule."
"Cool Yule" was written by Steve Allen and released by Louis Armstrong in 1953. Nettles began her performance by dancing through the Grand Ole Opry House's halls, joined by black-, white- and red-clad dancers, before making her way to the stage, where a large band was waiting. Readers can press play on the video above to watch Nettles' performance (of which Roxie Hart would be proud, no doubt!).
“I always look forward every year to the opener,” Nettles admits, “because it’s a big show opener, with huge production — dancing and lights and lots of fun madness.”
In addition to her hosting duties, Nettles also performed a number of other times during the 2016 CMA Country Christmas event: She and Andra Day sang "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen," backed by a steel guitar and a shuffling drum beat, giving the tune a special sort of swagger, while Nettles and Idina Menzel showed off their powerful vocals during "The Little Drummer Boy." The two were joined onstage by a dance troupe, including a young boy who stole the show; readers can press play above to see "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" and below to watch "The Little Drummer Boy."
Day and Menzel join Nettles for "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" and "The Little Drummer Boy," respectively, on Nettles' recently released holiday album, To Celebrate Christmas, as well. Nettles says that she's always been a fan of Christmas, but she's "found even more joy [in] Christmas traditions and music" since the birth of her son, Magnus, in December of 2012.
"Having both Idina and Andra lend their idyllic voices to some of my favorite songs is the bow on top!” she adds.
To Celebrate Christmas is available on iTunes now. Also during CMA Country Christmas, Nettles performed "Country Christmas" with Loretta Lynn and Trisha Yearwood, and she closed out the night with "The Man With the Bag" with Yearwood.
Watch Jennifer Nettles and Idina Menzel Sing "The Little Drummer Boy" During CMA Country Christmas 2016
See Photos From the 2016 'CMA Country Christmas' Taping