Dec. 7, 2020

ENJOY THE HOLIDAYS AT HOME WITH ‘CMA COUNTRY CHRISTMAS’

Eleventh Annual Holiday Music Special to Feature Performances From Kelsea Ballerini, Gabby Barrett, Dan + Shay, Florida Georgia Line,

Lady A, Little Big Town, Tim McGraw, Thomas Rhett, and Darius Rucker with Lindsey Stirling

Hosted by Thomas Rhett and Lauren Akins

With an intimate, at-home setting that throws back to classic holiday specials of the past, “CMA Country Christmas” features performances of new and original songs as well as traditional Christmas favorites. Hosted by husband-and-wife team, country superstar Thomas Rhett and New York Times bestselling author Lauren Akins, the 11th annual musical special rebroadcasts MONDAY, DEC. 21 (10:00-11:00 p.m. EST), on ABC. (TV-PG) (Rebroadcast. OAD: 11/30/20) “CMA Country Christmas” taps into the nostalgia and magic of the holiday season with performances from Kelsea Ballerini (“Santa Baby”), Gabby Barrett (“The First Noel”), Dan + Shay (“Christmas Isn’t Christmas”), Florida Georgia Line (“Lit This Year”), Lady A (“Wonderful Christmastime” and “Little Saint Nick”), Little Big Town (“Christmas Time Is Here”), Tim McGraw (“It Wasn’t His Child”), Thomas Rhett (“Christmas In The Country”), and Darius Rucker with Lindsey Stirling (What Child Is This?”). Filmed for the first time without a live audience this past September, “CMA Country Christmas” is a production of the Country Music Association. Deaton is the executive producer and writer. Paul Miller is the director. CMA partnered with Balsam Hill, stunningly realistic Christmas trees and beautifully designed holiday décor, to decorate the “CMA Country Christmas” stage again this year.

About “CMA Country Christmas” Starting in 2010, “CMA Country Christmas” rings in the holiday season annually with a show full of festive classics and one-of-a-kind musical performances. The event is filmed in Nashville and airs each holiday season on ABC. ABC is the network home to the CMA Awards and CMA’s summer concert TV special “CMA Fest.”

Thomas Rhett and Lauren Akins Photo Credit: Katie Kauss/CMA

Lauren Akins Photo Credit: Julie Paisley

Kelsea Ballerini Photo Credit: Hannah Lux Davis

Gabby Barrett Photo Credit: Robby Klein

Dan + Shay

Photo Credit: Catherine Powell Florida Georgia Line

Photo Credit: John Shearer

Lady A Photo Credit: Dove Shore

Little Big Town Photo Credit: Reid Long and Becky Fluke

Tim McGraw Photo Credit: Robby Klein

Thomas Rhett Photo Credit: Nick Rau

Darius Rucker

Photo Credit: David McClister Lindsey Stirling

Photo Credit: Sydney Takeshta For more information about “CMA Country Christmas,” visit CMAchristmas.com. ABC Media Relations Bridgette Maney bridgette.maney@abc.com Chelsie Tanamachi chelsie.m.tanamachi@disney.com CMA Media Contacts Catharine McNelly, CMA cmcnelly@cmaworld.com Krista Farmer, CMA kfarmer@cmaworld.com

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