• ABOUT
    • Contact
    • The Team
    • FAQ
    • Use & Privacy Policy
  • ADVERTISE
  • ROWFAX
  • JOB LISTINGS
MusicRow.com
  • CALENDARS
    • Album/EP Releases
    • Single/Track Releases
    • Industry Events
  • OBITS
  • CHARTS
    • Radio Chart (Current)
    • Radio Chart (Archives)
    • No. 1 Challenge Coin
    • Songwriter Chart (Current)
    • Songwriter Chart (Archives)
  • REVIEWS
  • MY STORY
  • NEWSLETTER
    • Newsletter (Current)
    • Newsletter (Archives)
    • SIGN UP (FREE!)
  • SUBSCRIBE
  • STORE
  • Click to open the search input field Click to open the search input field Search
  • Menu Menu

Country Christmas Special Is Fun, Festive

November 30, 2010/by Sarah Skates

Reba McEntire performs "Santa Claus Is Coming To Town."

Last night’s CMA Country Christmas special on ABC offered viewers a spirited show to ring in the holiday season. The 90-minute special drew a second place finish for ABC, according to overnight ratings from Zap2it.com. Beginning in the 9:30 PM/ET half-hour, the show attracted 7.2 million viewers, and increased to 7.4 million for the 10 PM time slot.

Jennifer Nettles, sporting her short pixie ‘do, was a cheery host. The festive set at the Bridgestone Arena was accented with thousands of warm, glowing lights.

Our genre’s stars looked even better than usual. LeAnn Rimes was stunning in a bronze sheath, and was surrounded by dancing sailors while she sang “Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree.” Martina McBride’s dark hair and dark sequined dress paired in striking contrast to her blue eyes, while she delivered a beautiful version of “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas.” Kellie Pickler performed “Santa Baby” as she strutted across the stage in floor-length, figure-hugging satin. Her red strapless number was accented perfectly with elbow-covering gloves.

In pre-taped segments, stars and their families shared holiday traditions and memories. Brad Paisley reminisced about his first guitar, which was a Christmas gift from his grandfather when he was eight years old. The stars also offered home movies, including a clip of Paisley, age 12, performing the first song he wrote—a Christmas tune.

One part of the show saluted soldiers stationed overseas, while Rascal Flatts sang an a cappella version of “I’ll Be Home For Christmas.”

Darius Rucker performs "Candy Cane Christmas."

Darius Rucker was charming on his new, old-fashioned sounding single “Candy Cane Christmas.” Little Big Town harmonized flawlessly on an uptempo “Go Tell It On The Mountain.” Reba was a great pick for “Santa Claus Is Coming To Town.” Sheryl Crow and Paisley gave a rocking version of “Run, Run Rudolph.” Nettles shone on “Oh Come Emmanuel.”

Many of the performers sang more than one number. And for the grand finale, all the stars and even a few of their kids, piled on stage for “Jingle Bell Rock.”

  • Author
  • Recent Posts
Sarah Skates
Sarah Skates
Sarah Skates has been a writer and editor in the music business since 2004. She is a longtime contributor to MusicRow.
Sarah Skates
Latest posts by Sarah Skates (see all)
  • Parker McCollum Sells Out Ascend Amphitheater, Celebrates Double Platinum Single - May 23, 2022
  • CMA Presents Triple Play Awards, Honors Bob DiPiero - May 13, 2022
  • Breakout Artist, Nashville Native Jelly Roll To Headline Bridgestone Arena - May 13, 2022
Share this entry
  • Share on Facebook
  • Share on X
  • Share on LinkedIn
  • Share by Mail
https://musicrow.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/MusicRow-header-logo-Mar19B.png 0 0 Sarah Skates https://musicrow.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/MusicRow-header-logo-Mar19B.png Sarah Skates2010-11-30 11:07:072010-11-30 11:07:07Country Christmas Special Is Fun, Festive
0 replies

Leave a Reply

Want to join the discussion?
Feel free to contribute!

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

RECENT NEWS

  • Jason & Rhonda Halbert Bring ‘Caretaker’ To Life With Star-Studded Audiobook July 3, 2025
  • MusicRow Weekly (Artist Roster, News, Charts, More…) July 3, 2025
  • Music Will Announces New National Advisory Board July 3, 2025
  • Bailey Zimmerman & Luke Combs Top MusicRow Radio Chart July 3, 2025
  • Cole Swindell Teams With Mountain Dew To Fight Thirst July 4th Weekend July 3, 2025
  • Daily Lineups Unveiled For Marcus King Band Family Reunion July 3, 2025
  • DISClaimer Single Reviews: Trisha Yearwood Wins Disc Of The Day July 3, 2025
  • Discover Sooner Taps Emma Kiefer As Next Publisher Writer Experience Mentor July 3, 2025
  • 3G Productions Expands With Nashville Location July 3, 2025
  • Post Malone Opens Bar On Lower Broadway July 3, 2025

Like Us on Facebook

Follow Us on Twitter

Tweets by MusicRow
© 2025 Music Row Enterprises, LLC - Enfold WordPress Theme by Kriesi
Website hosted by Nashville web design company, All My Web Needs.
  • Link to Facebook
  • Link to X
  • Link to Instagram
Scroll to top