Nothing gets one into the Christmas mood more than Christmas music, and this year’s CMA Country Christmas delivered a wonderful evening of classic carols and amazing duets. Jennifer Nettles once again hosted the 2-hour event that aired on ABC on Thursday night, December 3.
Kicking off the show was Nettles with “Man with the Bag” in a number that was reminiscent of the Rockettes and later joined by the amazing acapella group Pentatonix for “Jingle Bell Rock.” Showing off their wonderful harmonies a couple times throughout the evening, Pentatonix were breathtaking with their original “That’s Christmas to Me” and the classic “Santa Claus Is Coming to Town.”
Due to being on the road, tour-mates Brett Eldredge and Thomas Rhett were featured in a taped segment that provided 14 year old St. Jude patient – and cancer free! – Kinsee and her mom a wonderful memory. Kinsee was able to ask the two artists questions, who then gave her a basket of gifts as well as an intimate performance of “I’ll Be Home for Christmas.”
Besides hosting the festive evening, Nettles returned to the stage several times to sing, one of which was with a magnificent rendition of “Celebrate Me Home.” She was later joined by violinist Lindsey Stirling for a perfect version of “Silent Night.” Stirling earlier performed her phenomenal instrumental “Celtic Carol” while floating about the stage as she danced around.
Martina McBride sung the Irving Berlin classic “White Christmas” with elegance that only she could provide, and later returned to the stage with Michael W. Smith on the piano for an incredible duet of “What Child Is This.”
Newcomer Kelsea Ballerini proved that she belongs with the likes of Nettles and McBride when she sang “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” with the grace of someone who had been around for much longer than she has.
Performing her “Simply Joy” medley of classic Christmas songs, including “God Rest Ye Merry Gentleman,” “Angles We Have Heard on High,” “Hark the Herald Angles Sing” and others, LeAnn Rimes beautifully expressed the tradition of the season. Rimes had perhaps the most eloquent moment of the night when she sang the timeless John Lennon “Happy Xmas (War Is Over)” in a beautiful lace dress accompanied by piano. David Nail made sure to make his CMA Country Christmas debut count with his performance of Donny Hathaway’s “This Christmas.”
Nettles closed show with Brian Setzer with the fun “Yabba-Dabba Yueltide,” to which Setzer set holiday lyrics to the theme of the Flinstone’s. Other performers of the night included: Darius Rucker (Winter Wonderland, What God Wants for Christmas), Charles Kelley (Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)), Brian Setzer (Rockabilly Rudolph), Dan + Shay (Oh Come All Ye Faithful), Jewel (The Christmas Song, Sleigh Ride), Mickey Guyton (Do You Want to Build a Snowman?).