“CMA COUNTRY CHRISTMAS” ADDS PERFORMANCES BY ALAN JACKSON, AND BRAD PAISLEY WITH ROCK LEGEND STEVEN TYLER

Two-Hour Special Hosted by Jennifer Nettles Tapes Nov. 7 at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville and airs Monday, Dec. 1 on the ABC Television Network

Audience Encouraged to Bring an Unwrapped Toy to Taping for Children in Need

NASHVILLE – Celebrate the holidays with some of the biggest names in music performing holiday classics on “CMA Country Christmas,” a two-hour special hosted for the fifth year by Jennifer Nettles airing Monday, Dec. 1 (8:00-11:00 PM/ET) on the ABC Television Network.

The special, which tapes in front of a live audience Friday, Nov. 7 (7:30 PM/CT), at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., is a star-packed celebration of the season with performances by Alan Jackson, and Brad Paisley adding his blazing guitar work to a performance by rock ‘n’ roll royalty Steven Tyler.

 Artists previously announced include Dan + Shay, Brett Eldredge, Sara Evans, Lucy Hale, Hunter Hayes, Little Big Town, Idina Menzel, Nettles, LeAnn Rimes, Michael W. Smith, and Carrie Underwood.

For the third 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.

“Our toy drive adds something special to the celebration shining a spotlight on a worthy endeavor in a way that reflects the values and giving nature of our artists, the industry, and this city,” said Sarah Trahern, CMA Chief Executive Officer.

The Nashville-based, non-profit group Generosity will have volunteers on site with specially marked bins to collect toys beginning at (5:00 PM/CT) on Nov. 7. In 2013, the group collected more than 5,000 toys.

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, located at 501 Broadway (corner of Fifth Avenue and Broadway, Nashville). Tickets for “CMA Country Christmas” are $25 for Upper-Level seating and $50 for Lower- and Club-Level seating. Ticket prices include tax, but exclude applicable service fees.

“CMA Country Christmas” is a production of the Country Music Association. Robert Deaton is the Executive Producer, Paul Miller is the Director, and David Wild is the writer. The special will be shot in high definition and broadcast in 720 Progressive (720P), ABC’s selected HDTV format, with 5.1 channel surround sound.

Chevrolet™ is the Official Ride of Country Music.