Jennifer Nettles is Back as the ‘CMA Country Christmas’ Host

Jennifer Nettles to host CMA Country Christmas
Jennifer Nettles hosts ‘CMA Country Christmas’ (Photo by Heidi Gutman / ABC)

Jennifer Nettles has been tapped to host the CMA Country Christmas special for the seventh time. This year’s holiday special will tape in Nashville at the Grand Ole Opry House on November 8, 2016 and will air on November 28th at 8pm PT/ET on ABC. The studio audience is asked to bring an unwrapped toy to be given to children in need in Middle Tennessee. During the taping of the 2015 holiday special, 5,000+ unwrapped toys were collected by the CMA in partnership with ABC Television Network and the U.S. Marine Corps’ Toys for Tots program.

“Providing new toys for deserving children shines a spotlight on a worthy endeavor and reflects the values and spirit of giving found in our artists, industry, and city,” said Sarah Trahern, CMA Chief Executive Officer.

The 2016 CMA Country Christmas has Paul Miller on board as director, David Wild is the special’s writer, and Robert Deaton is the executive producer. “The taping of CMA Country Christmas has become a treasured holiday tradition for Nashville families,” said Trahern. “And watching CMA Country Christmas on ABC is equally important as generations gather to celebrate the season.”

Nettles will be releasing her first ever holiday album on October 28th. The album, titled To Celebrate Christmas, will feature collaborations with Idina Menzel on “Little Drummer Boy,” Andra Day on “God Rest Ye Merry Gentleman,” and Dolly Parton on “Circle of Love.”