Kelsea Ballerini, Chris Young and More to Perform for ‘CMA Country Christmas’ 2017
The lineup for the 2017 CMA Country Christmas TV special has been revealed! Kelsea Ballerini, Chris Young and more will take the stage during the event.
In addition to Ballerini and Young, CMA Country Christmas 2017 will feature performances from Luke Bryan, CB30, Dan + Shay, Brett Eldredge, Alan Jackson, Lady Antebellum, Little Big Town, Dustin Lynch, CeCe Winans and Trisha Yearwood. Reba McEntire, who is hosting the show for the first time, will also perform a song from her My Kind of Christmas album.
McEntire is taking over CMA Country Christmas hosting duties from Sugarland's Jennifer Nettles, who has performed the role for the past seven years, since the event began. While McEntire says that Nettles' shoes will be hard to fill, fans know she's capable: She's hosted or co-hosted 17 ACM Awards ceremonies over the years.
"Reba epitomizes country and the cheer of the holiday season," CMA Chief Executive Officer Sarah Trahern says. "She's also the most nominated female in CMA Awards history, so the fit couldn't be more perfect."
The 2017 CMA Country Christmas TV special will air on Nov. 27 on ABC at 8PM ET. This year, for the third year in a row, the show will tape at the Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville; the taping will take place on Nov. 14, about a week after the 2017 CMA Awards.
The United States Marine Corps will be on site at the Grand Ole Opry House from 3PM to 6PM on the day of CMA Country Christmas 2017's taping to collect toys for their holiday Toys for Tots drive; the show has supported the charity in years past. Those attending CMA Country Christmas 2017 are encouraged to bring unwrapped toys to donate.
See Photos From the 2016 CMA Country Christmas Taping