"CMA COUNTRY CHRISTMAS" AIRS DECEMBER 25 ON THE ABC TELEVISION NETWORK

Two-Hour Special Hosted by Jennifer Nettles Taped November 7 at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville

CMA Partners with ABC and Toys for Tots to Make the Holidays Brighter for Children in Need

Some of the biggest names in music will come together to celebrate the holidays on "CMA Country Christmas," a two-hour special hosted for the sixth year by Jennifer Nettles, airing FRIDAY, DECEMBER 25 (8:00-10:00 p.m., EST) on the ABC Television Network. (Rebroadcast. ABC OAD: 12/3/15)

The special is a celebration of the season featuring some of the top stars in music performing holiday songs and getting into the Christmas spirit. The special taped Saturday, November 7 (6:00 p.m., CDT), at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, Tenn.

"The holiday season is all about spreading joy. That's one of my favorite things about 'CMA Country Christmas,'" said Nettles. "The festive performances and powerful collaborations, with so many artists I admire, make this the most wonderful time of the year!"

Nettles is a multi-award-winning singer-songwriter gearing up to release her debut single on Big Machine Records this month and is currently in the studio working on her second solo album. In 2008, she took home the CMA Award for Song of the Year for penning the No. 1 Platinum-selling hit "Stay." In addition to making her Broadway debut as Roxy Hart in the Tony Award-winning musical "Chicago" earlier this year, she recently joined the cast of the Dolly Parton television biopic, "Coat of Many Colors."

For the fourth 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. CMA is partnering with Disney|ABC Television Group (DATG) and Toys for Tots for its "Share the Joy" holiday campaign to distribute the gifts to children in need. In 2014, 5,000 toys were collected at the taping.

The mission of the Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program is to collect new, unwrapped toys and distribute those toys as Christmas gifts to needy children in the 782 communities in which the campaign is conducted. Tickets are not required to donate a toy or have access to the toy drop area in front of the Grand OIe Opry, located at 2804 Opryland Drive in Nashville.

Members of the U.S. Marine Corps and volunteers from CMA's college initiative CMA EDU will be on hand to start collecting toys.

"Our artist community is extremely generous and so are our fans," said Sarah Trahern, CMA Chief Executive Officer. "It is our goal to make sure no child goes without a present this Christmas and we are grateful to our network partner ABC and Toys for Tots for helping to make this dream come true for children everywhere."

For information, visit CMAchristmas.com.

"CMA Country Christmas" is a production of the Country Music Association. Robert Deaton is the executive producer, Paul Miller is the director, and David Wild is the writer. The special will be shot in high definition and broadcast in 720 Progressive (720P), ABC's selected HDTV format, with 5.1 channel surround sound.