The ninth-annual “CMA Country Christmas” will air Monday, Dec. 10 at 8 p.m./ET (7 p.m./CT) on the ABC Television Network. The event was recorded live in September in the Curb Event Center on Belmont’s campus with a number of students enjoying the performances and working backstage on the production.
Iconic entertainer Reba McEntire, who returns as host for a second year, will also perform during the holiday music special. Joining Reba are legendary acts and country favorites including Tony Bennett, Dan + Shay, Brett Eldredge, Amy Grant, Diana Krall, Dustin Lynch, Martina McBride, Old Dominion, Brad Paisley, Michael W. Smith, Lindsey Stirling, The Isaacs and Brett Young, taking the stage for a night filled with Christmas classics and festive one-of-a-kind collaborations.
CMA partnered with Balsam Hill, beautifully realistic Christmas trees and décor, to decorate the “CMA Country Christmas” stage. “CMA Country Christmas” is a production of the Country Music Association. Robert Deaton is the Executive Producer, Paul Miller is the Director and Jon Macks is the writer.
But “CMA Country Christmas” isn’t the only place to see Belmont University students contributing their talents to the holiday season. A presentation of the 2017 “Christmas at Belmont” special performance, which featured world-renowned musician Sheryl Crow as guest artist and more than 700 students, faculty and staff musicians from the School of Music, will be re-broadcast on PBS on December 21 at 8 p.m. and on Christmas Day, December 25, at 11 p.m. Check local listing for additional broadcast times.
About the Country Music Association
Founded in 1958 and celebrating its 60th Anniversary in 2018, the Country Music Association is the first trade organization formed to promote a type of music. In 1961, CMA created the Country Music Hall of Fame to recognize artists and industry professionals with Country Music’s highest honor. More than 7,400 music industry professionals and companies from around the globe are members of CMA. The organization’s objectives are to serve as an educational and professional resource for the industry and advance the growth of Country Music around the world. This is accomplished through CMA’s core initiatives: the CMA Awards, which annually recognize outstanding achievement in the industry; CMA Fest, which benefits the CMA Foundation and music education and is taped for a three-hour network television special, “CMA Fest”; and “CMA Country Christmas.” All of CMA’s television properties air on the ABC Television Network.
