Some of the most powerful and emotionally moving voices in music come together to celebrate the holidays on “CMA Country Christmas,” which tapes in front of a live audience. The special, which features Jennifer Nettles hosting for the fourth year, airs this holiday season on the ABC Television Network.

“It’s really a joy for me to get to host ‘CMA Country Christmas,’” Nettles said. “I have so much fun doing it! I love the holiday season, and for me to get to be a part of this show for the fourth year in a row is a really big honor. What I love about doing this gig is that it’s the closest I’ve gotten to the old classic television variety shows. It is entertainment that everybody in the family can find fun, and I hope it’s something that keeps happening for years and years and years.”
Artists scheduled to perform and celebrate the season with songs and stories include Trace Adkins, Luke Bryan, Sheryl Crow, Lucy Hale, Nettles, Jake Owen, Kellie Pickler, Rascal Flatts, Darius Rucker, and Michael W. Smith.

“The taping for ‘CMA Country Christmas’ is a jump-start for the holiday season and has become a family tradition for many Nashville residents,” said CMA Board President Ed Hardy. “Adding to the celebration is our A Gift for All toy drive, which provides new toys for homeless children, shining a spotlight on a worthy endeavor in a way that reflects the values and heart of our artists, the industry, and this city.”

For the second 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. The Nashville-based, non-profit group Generosity, will have volunteers on site with specially marked bins to collect the toys, which will be distributed to homeless families this holiday season. In 2012, the group collected more than 5,000 toys.

Volunteers from Generosity will start accepting toys Friday, Nov. 8 at 1:00 PM/CT at the Bridgestone Arena Plaza (corner of Fifth Avenue and Broadway, Nashville). You do not have to have a ticket to the show to drop off a toy.

“Our artists are extremely generous and so are our fans,” Hardy said. “It is our goal to make sure no child goes without a present this Christmas and we are grateful to our partners at Generosity for helping to make this a dream come true for children in Nashville.”